German dive bomber aircraft known as the Stuka were in use during World War II. Stuka is short for “Sturzkampfflugzeug” meaning dive bomber.
Hermann Pohlmann, a German engineer, created the Stuka, which made its first flight in 1935 and swiftly rose to prominence within the Luftwaffe, the German air force. The Stuka was distinguished by its fixed, spatted undercarriage and inverted gull wings. It was given the moniker “screaming devil” because it was equipped with sirens that would make a loud noise as the aircraft descended.
Because it was built expressly for dive-bombing, the Stuka could approach its target at high altitude and then dive steeply to release its bombs. Additionally, it had fixed landing gear, which limited its ability to maneuver on the ground but improved its stability while attacking ground targets like railroads, bridges, and naval vessels. It also had a wailing siren, which was intended to intimidate the enemy and make it more difficult to locate.
The Stuka’s machine guns were also used to attack enemy soldiers and vehicles during ground attacks. The Stuka was vulnerable to enemy fighters since it was very slow compared to other planes of the era. Additionally, due to its small range, it was unable to operate far from its base.
The Stuka was a single-seat aircraft composed primarily of wood and fabric, which made it less damage resistant than other aircraft made entirely of metal. It was made to carry a high-explosive bomb so that it could destroy buildings and other structures with massive damage.
Early in the conflict, the Stuka saw a lot of action, especially during the Blitzkrieg campaign in Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. The German military benefited greatly from it as a dive bomber since it allowed them to quickly and effectively destroy important strategic targets.
German paratroopers were able to take control of the Belgian fortification of Eben-Emael on May 14th, 1940, thanks to a bomb delivered by a Stuka dive-bomber piloted by Oberleutnant Egon Mayer. This paved the way for the German troops.
This aircraft was also employed in the Battle of Crete, where it contributed significantly to the German victory but also sustained significant losses as a result of the British fighters and the strong anti-aircraft fire as happened in the Battle of Britain. During the early years of the war, it also flew on the Eastern Front, which it was crucial to the German triumphs in the Balkans and the Soviet Union.
During the North African war, it was crucial to the German triumphs in Libya, Egypt, and the Mediterranean campaign, which included victories in Greece, Yugoslavia, Sicily, and Italy. It nevertheless participated in the Battle of the Atlantic as well.
The most decorated German serviceman of World War II and a Stuka pilot throughout the conflict, Hans-Ulrich Rudel, told one such interesting tale. Rudel is the first pilot in history to have received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. He flew more than 2,500 combat missions. He chronicled his Stuka flying adventures in a memoir, and the details he provided offer a window into the world of a Stuka pilot.
Erwin Hentschel, a Stuka pilot who served on the Eastern front, provided another story. In a book he wrote about his time flying the Stuka, he talked of the difficulties of flying in bad weather and the immense pressure of carrying out combat missions. He also talked about the pilots’ friendship and their sense of accomplishment following a successful bombing operation.
Many pilots have remarked on how unique it was to fly the Stuka, with its sharp dives and distinctive siren wailing.
The Stuka was more susceptible to enemy fighters and anti-aircraft fire as the conflict dragged on though. Due to their slow speed and poor maneuverability, Stuka aircraft were frequently phased out of service by the German military at the conclusion of the war.
Despite its flaws, the Stuka is nonetheless regarded as a classic World War II airplane because of its striking appearance and powerful dive bombing capabilities. A few Stukas are still in the air today, both as warplanes and as museum exhibits.
The Royal Air Force Museum in London, England, has one of the few remaining Stukas on exhibit. It’s a Ju 87 R-2 that was brought back to flight after being found in a Norwegian lake. It has already been used in a number of flyovers and air displays.
A Ju 87 B-2 is another surviving example that is on display in the Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin in Germany.
The Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution in China, the Australian War Memorial in Australia, and the National Museum of the United States Air Force in the United States are just a few of the aviation museums that have some Stuka models on display. These aircraft are either restored or preserved examples of the Stuka.
A few private collectors have Stukas in their collections as well. Some of the aircraft are ready to fly, but the majority are on static display. It is worth noting that today there is some replica or rebuilds of the Stuka flying, these aircraft are made using original parts and blueprints.