E750; WARPAINT SERIES No. 3 ‘A Junkers J 878-2 of St.G2 sean on a Grock arfild ‘ring the German invasion, The sireraft has a yellow fnose, rd and slovetors whioh wore typical ofthe ‘Shader ng pan slon ng ey part of 1942. 2,000 kg bomb es nar the ai Feady for loading phew PreeJUNKERS Ju 87 STUKA e Balan states and Greece, Apri DRAWINGS BY DAVID HOWLEYJUNKERS Ju 87 STUKA By Alan W.Hall THE use of dive bombers in modern warfare originated in the United States, was perfect. ed and used to deadly purpose by Germany ‘before and during World 2 and since th has almost been forgotten. Aircraft used fo this role extended the ideas started inthe lat. ter stages of World War 1 which required accurate placement of bombs on a target with the minimum danger to the aircrew engaged. Aircraft range was nota criteria as dive bombers, at least when operated by land forces, becarfe an extension of the field commander's artillery forces but one which ‘ould destroy ‘over th gets that could not be reached by more conventional ‘means. At sea the dive bomber, when used by the Americans and Japanese during the war, became a devsive feature in gements but were in effect xtension of the naval comman der’s big guns on board batleships and ‘The first operational version of the Stuka was the Ju 87A-1 It differed trom all fo ‘Three of these aircraft wore to serve in the ‘Spanish Civil War on the Nationalst si cemisers. In other words the dive bomber became a purely tactical weapon and if used correctly against inexperienced opposition created such havoc and confusion that the accuracy of its attack was considerably enhanced by the enemy failing to put up effective counter measures. Conversely, if ground fire was accurate, the gunners not rmesmerised by the fury of the attack and their discipline putting up a ver itable wall of short range fire, the dive heavy casualties. wo World War 2 exponents of the USA and Germany, the latter had the advantage of being able to try out these methods of accurate target elimina tion during the Spanish Civil War. Barly ver- ‘JUNKERS JU 57 WARPAINT PAGE 1‘Seen from head on this early production version of the Ju 878-1 fre for sirens which were vised to demor- ‘an enemy during dive ‘bombing Sttacks, though not fitted In this case sions of the Junkers Ju 87 attacked govern ment troop positions and tactical targets lke bridges and railway tracks very effectively They met little opposition and the myth that the Stuka was invincible was bor. Luckily for some, the Germans believed their own propaganda and although later and improved versions ofthe Ju $7 came into squadron ser vice before the Battle of Britain, their use was strictly limited when countered by determined fighter opposition and disci plined ground fire. Losses were high and it ‘was realised in time thatthe Battle of Britain was not a tactical battle ground even though the Ju 87 did severe damage to radar instal: lations along the coast and were used to some effect against convoy targets in the English Channel Having withdrawn the Stukageschwader from northem France they were used with effect in the Mediterranean and North Africa where once aguin they were able to use their tactical powers against lightly protected ta gets on land and sea, Almost at the same time Luftwaffe Ju were called upon to soften up pockets of resistance during the initial stages of Operation Barbarossa, the the two ‘control of radiator below and ‘on top of the nose tre distinctive features of this variant PAGE 2 JUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT:JUNKERS Ju 87 camouflage and markings JUNKERS JU 87 COLOUR KEY DRAWINGS BY DAVID HOWLEY —P eek eS Se ee a See ee = ‘Junkers Ju 878-1 29:5 tsgion, Spain 1937-38, Ty SUG 163 Jolanthe olour RUA 6462 z National markings in Back and tate "Codes in black Upper aad lower wing tips in white $Spinor Yoliow-grosn 69 wh black tip *, Condor per au ‘Junkers Ju 878-1 7-£11, unit unkoown, Thr ARUN 61762163 upper surface with RLM 65 undors Codes in black, Ein we, Junkers Ju 87A-1 521026 of 8.6 105 in 1998. Three olgur RLM 61/6263 upper surfacos with RLM 85 tindersdes: Cades binge ‘Junkers Ju 8781 NGVAN of unkown Stokasenule Three flour RUM 81/82153 Mipper sures with FM 05 unersies, Codes in inck ders Ju 87At 0.6.08 ofthe Hungarian Ai Fre. colour RUM 61762163 upper surfacus with ALM BS me redo "Yatlowhssage and and tv teen, Codes in lock. “JONKERS JU 87 WARPAINT. PAGESJunkers Ju, 878-1 6GsHf of 4/56 trance ‘August aun WM FO kdos. Yellow star and flash, White ¥° fn rear fuselage and band on spinner, ‘ther codes iba \ sunkors, Ju 878-1 29: of S26 162 Uolante-Kette’, Condor Legion, Spain 1888-38. ALM70770 upper suracos wth ALM 65 ‘idoids, Nations! markings in las and white, codes in lack Junkers Ju 878-2 66+AD of Gruppe Stab St. G 81, France, ‘uma 1346, RLM 70771 on upper surfaces wth RLM BS on nde ides. ight coloured codes nd spinner may Nave been in REM 35 Light Green the colour slocated to Gruppe Stebs los shown Et light grey of blue. Note the unfnehed unk badge under the invasion of the Soviet Union, Here, the anti- tank capabilities ofthe Ju 87 were realised to the full and individual pilots were able to build up extremely high scores in the close support roe. AMERICAN INFLUENCE, Early German interest in dive bombers or to use the name Stukakampylugzeng which was shortened to Stuka for convenience, came from two directions. The Junkers company built their K.47 bomber in Sweden which ‘made its frst flight in 1928. This was not an effective aircraft but brought forward ideas generated in World War 1 about the battle- field use of aircraft by the field commander. Although Germany was restricted in the con- struction of military aircraft in this period the undercover Luftwaffe took notice of the developments and when the opportunity arose ordered dive bomber designs to be PAGE & JUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT Britain and the United States. After a visit to the latter in the early thirties Udet returned full of what he had seen during a demonstra- tion of the Curtiss Helldiver at Cleveland, Ohio. Under his influence the Reichluftminist constructed and tested in 1933 1 other influence came through General Emst Udet, a World War 1 ace whose swash-buckling personality and obvious influence, brought him inio contact with governments in other countries especiallyium asked for tenders for a dive bomber craft to be built for the Luftwaffe and four companies responded. Arado, Blohm & Voss and Heinkel put forward their ideas but it was the more modem monoplane design that was chosen from Junkers. “This had a unique inverted gullwing, heav- ily spatted undercarriage and twin fins and rudders. Like most aireraft before it, the original Junkers dive bomber was nota pret- ty aeroplane and although the prototype flew: from Dessau for the first time in the late Spring of 1935 fitted with a British 640-hp Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine, it was destroyed in diving tials in the summer of the same year It was proved thatthe cause of the crash ‘was tal flutter and this was eliminated in a second prototype that had a single fin and rudder plus a German Jumo 210A engine of 610-hp. Having won the design competition the aircraft was delivered tothe test centre at Rechlin, but before this took place another modification was added. This was the origi- nal, crude but effective, form of underwing dive brake which was so successful in mak- ing the Ju 87 a stable bombing platform when in the dive and allowed the pilot 10 accurately line his aircraft up on the target ‘when in a somewhat unnatural attitude. ‘The bomb load was carried under the cen- tre fuselage and outer wing panels. The fuse lage bomb was of up to some 2,000-Kgs and in order to enhance its clearance of the for- ‘ward fuselage when in a near vertical dive, it ‘was mounted on crutches which swung for- ward before release thus clearing the airserew and radiator. Various changes in configuration and engine were fitted on the ten pre-production aireraft built, Armament was a single for- ‘ward firing, wing-mounted machine gun and another in the rear cockpit were fited and a ‘broader-bladed propeller enhanced the capa- bilities of the 680-hp Jumo 210Da engine ‘which became standard. The first production Ju 87A-Is left the production line early in 1937. “These went to 1/SLG162 ‘Immelman’ which was entrusted with developing the tactics of dive bombing. operations. The advent of the Spanish Civil War was heaven ‘sent tothe pilots who developed great enthu- siasm forthe aircraft and a flight of three Ju 87A-Is, called the Jolanthe-Kette, was formed within StG162 and detached to the Condor Legion where they were used with ‘untold success. Operational tactics. were evolved under actual wartime conditions where the Nationalist forces had air super ority over the battlefield and the legend of the Stuka was born, INTO BATT! ‘The Junkers Ju 87 is est remembered by its B variant, This started life in early 1938 when a standard Ju 87A. was fitted with a 1,000-hp Jumo 211A engine and designated the Ju 87V6. An even more modified ver sion, the V7 followed and both featured a redesigned cockpit enclosure, a diferent tail ‘unit of larger dimensions, a larger radiator under the nose, cleaner styling on the under- carriage streamlining and additional arma- ‘ment in each wing ‘The two prototypes heralded the produc tion of the Junkers Ju 87B-1 which replaced the A model in 1938, Ten pre-production aireraft Ju 87B-0s were used for develop- ‘ment work before the first B-I left the Dessau production line in October 1938. ‘The basic B-I had four sub-variants differ- ing only in alternative radio equipment, pro- vision fora ski undercarriage or armour pro- tection for the crew. By March 1939 the original RLM order for 396 Ju 87B-Is had ‘been increased to 964. A further version the Ju 87B-1/Trop was issued to Stuka Gruppen taking part in Mediterranean, ‘As the Jumo 211 engine was developed and with greater power becoming available, the B-2, again with four sub-variants, became the standard production machine Production was increased by the setting up ‘of assembly lines at Berlin-Templehof and Bremen-Lemwerder where 395 examples ‘were built before the war and a futher 1,168 by the end of 1940, ‘A version of the Ju 87 that saw litle ser- vice and was eventually absorbed into the ‘normal Geschwader formations, was the C version which was designed to equip the projected Kreigsmarine aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin. Whad folding wings and provision for catapulting plus an arrester hook. 4 (Stukay/186 formed at Keil-Holtenau and eventually received several different ver- sions of the aircraft including some of the ‘production C-0s, With the suspension of the JUNKERS JU 87 STUKA PAGE 5 operations inthecarrier's construction this unit saw service in Poland and later became a normal dive bomber unit ‘The final variant based on the B model air- frame was the Ju 87R intended as a long: ange anti-shipping aircraft with the addition of extra fuel in the wings and two 300 litre underwing tanks giving it a range of some 876 miles compared to the B's 342 miles The first action seen by the Ju 87B was again in Spain a five of the first production B-ls supplemented the three A models already serving there. But it was in Poland that the Staka was to live up to its already well-known legend as all seven of the Luftwaffe's, by then, fully equipped Gruppen (SGI, 2. $1, 76, and 77 plus the operational’ training unit IV(St)/Lehrgeschwader | and the naval dive bombing staffel) took part. They created hhavoc amongst Polish army units, attacked bridges and other lines of communication and against negligible opposition the accura- PAGE 6 JUNKERS JU 67 WARPAINT cy of their attacks did much to speed the German advance. On the very first day ofthe ‘campaign Ju 87s were instrumental in allow’ ing an armoured train, with which the Germans were intending to spearhead their advance, o cross the border bridge over the River Vistula by bombing with great accu racy the Polish blockhouses on the other side of the frontier. Elsewhere the Stukageschwader pinpoint- ed airfields in their intial attacks in order to ‘overcome the Polish air elements. They did this with great success and many of the my's fighter and bomber aircraft. were destroyed on the ground before they really ‘knew thatthe invasion of their country had started, Later the Stukas were used t0 su port army units thse of S1.G77 for example being used very effectively in support of the German VI Army Corps in attacking Polish cavalry near Weilun which not only ‘decimated the Poles but also hit the brigade headquarters which was in a farmhouse to captured Ju 87 wes ctually given a British Serial number. Another, was eventually handed over 9 US forces and shipped 10 ‘America for testing. (WM) the north of the town killing or wounding al of the enemy staff Later the same Geschwader’s 140 Ju 87s were used to eliminate batteries of heavy anillery inthe suburbs of Praga which were holding up the advance on Warsaw itself. By 25 September the main attack on Warsaw hhad developed and the Stukas, most flying at Teast three sorties a day, dropped 500 tons of bombs and 72 tons of incendiaries on the Polish fortifications in the city During the whole Polish campaign only 31 Junkers Ju 87s were lost in combat Part of the psychological pattern of the screaming dive make by the Stuka was a simple siren fitted to the upper part of each undercarriage leg. The demionic how! of a ‘number ofthese aircraft descending ona tar get was enough to totally demoralise those defenders whw seine aad they were pa ticularly effective against civilian targets and refugees on the road, NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN nly one Stukagruppe took part in the inva sion of Norway. L/SGI operating from Keil and later Stavangar was used though their aircraft appeared everywhere they were needed and in spite of difficult weather con- ditions experienced in early Spring, were able to effectively attack both troops, com: ‘munications and shipping targets during the battle Early inthe campaign Junkers Ju 87s wereused to bomb the airfield near Olso which was defended to the last by Norwegian Air Force Gladiators. They also climinated the forts surrounding Oslo fiord which had caused damage to the German Bucher before moving rapidly north wards to Sola airfield near Stavangar and ‘operated from there forthe frst few weeks ‘of the campaign in spite of attempts by the Norwegians to block the runways. Following the arival of No.263 Squadron with its Gladiators on board HAMS Glorious the Ju 87s were used together with level bombing to hit the frozen lakes then being used as temporary airfields. The British withdrew and re-established themselves near Narvik at Bardufoss and Bodo. As the French contingent on the Allied side was withdrawn from Aandalsnes and Namsos by sea they were caught by the Stukas who attacked in relays sinking several of the transports and the destroyer Bison. BLITZKREIG IN FRANCE But the Norwegian campaign turned out to be not much more than & side show for the Stukas as the remainder of the now consid erable force of dive bombers were being fit ted out for the much larger campaign in France, Belgium and Holland which Hitler launched in May 1940. Over 300 Ju 87s were available for the attack. Initially the British army advanced into Belgium with no Luftwaffe interfer ce. The Stukas were to be employed else Where and in particular against the French where their quick reaction to any organised resistance brought problems forthe Allis as their commanders wondered at the speed of the German advance and the cooperation that had been achieved between the army and air elements in overcoming resistance French forces were ill-equipped to deal with dive bombers as few anti-aircraft guns. were available and the troops were subjected to an increasingly strong and determined attack on their morale through the incessant dive bombing that they had to undergo. Within two weeks British forces were withdrawing towards Dunkirk and in spite of repeated operations in support of the army” particularly the panzer spearheads, only 14 Ju 87s were lost through Allied action, It was at this point that the Stuka met its first determined opposition as. ordered 10 prevent the evacuation of Allied troops, the Stukas attempted to bomb all shipping that approached the French coast to take off beleagured men. Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons based in England did their best at extreme range to defend the evacuation and it was soon realised that the Stuka was not invulnerable and they became easy meat t0 RAP fighter pilots when the opportunity Tn Belgium it was the Stukas of St.G.1 that bombed the forts at Eban Emael allowing a mere 70 German parachute troops to land and secure the surrender of 1,200 Belgians. Bridges over the Maas were attacked by SUG.77 near the centre of Rotterdam. Their next sorties were against shipping and har- bour installations at Antwerp. Further sorties were made in support of German panzer advances towards Liege on 12 May. The Germans crossed the Meuse on 13 May near Sedan with the Stukas bombing artillery positions on the west bank of the river com: pletely demoralising the defenders. The full fury of Stuka attacks was eashed as the Allies, mostly British, retreated towards Dunkirk. Fliegerkorps VIN complete with its three Ju 87 units made three mass attacks on the beaches on 1 June followed by more the next day. As well as many smaller ships the destroyers Basilisk, Havant, Keith and the French Foudroyant were sunk and two other destroyers. and a minesweeper badly damaged. With the end of British opposition on S June, the Stukas quickly moved to the cen: tral region of France and completed the dee imation of the French army culminating in that country's capitulation, BAT E OF BRITAIN With the Blitzkreig against France over, the Stuka units reassembled on the norem French coast and relaxed whilst their polit cal leaders expected the British to ste fr peace, When this didnot come about plans ‘were put into operation and traning begun {or Operation Sealion, Hill's invasion of the British Its. "The fist of many objectives was to clea the English Channel of British shipping and achieve the retreat of Royal Navy sis from ports such as Portsmouth, Dover and Portland in order to leave the sea passage clear forthe invasion barges that were being Although this is a good plcture of a diners Ju 78-1 no anit tnsign can Be deciphered. 1 does however show dah tional armour plating around the rear gun: her's position and the siren weed doing i? undercarriage leg. ‘onder the toners alien once under“T64F¥ of 4/56 2, North Africa mid-1941, RLM 2s with PUM 65 undersies, Black Codes win et inwnit, Fusolage band nd’ tp of spinner i whiter Aiko Korps eagte and pain cn cow PAGE® JUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT Juntors Ju 878-2 2.CA of KG. North Aca, 1941-42, RUM Lm 83 Undersiges, Black eter "Cin yet Junkers Ju 878-2 Trop. S1sGK of 2/816 Bik codes wth white theatre band on fuse 19 TOF upper erfeces wih REM 66 underside. Bick unkers Son wth the leer Wiite tip to spinner. 3/816 1 crow on forward covain a 9702 Tr aie br Merona sIR-Z S1sHK of 2/56 3, Sid, 41, RLM bo) ber ioeiand later shipped to the oat ang Tate lian Sand with Ove Eran mot ick codes with eter Ct n yelow KG.54 ‘overall RLM79. with RLM 78 ndersides:Stuka aca Obit Hans Ulrich Rudel with his Sunkors Ju87D and ground erew. The scot. assembled in French ports. The second pri fority was to hit British airfields within range and at the same time knock out aircraft fac- tories and other strategic targets. Finally the Stukas were to support the actual invasion and assist in clearing the way for putting German army units ashore Tn carrying out these objectives the Stukas were completely successful in the first, did initially well in the second but because the ‘whole operation was abandoned, did not get the opportunity to try out their abilities in the third Tn all three cases the Germans did not realise the strength of the RAF’s fighter ‘squadrons and the use that had been put to the radar sites around the coasts. Stuka units were not used to stiff opposition and suffered accordingly “The Geschwader Gruppe were reorganised and by the opening phases of the attack six Gruppen were ranged along the coast at some seven airfields. These included VSG, WWSLG.1, MVSLG.1 at Angers/StPol, USLG.2, IVStG.2, IVS.G.2 at St, Malo, Lannion and St Trond, UStG.3 at Dinand/Pleurtuit, SLG.SI (base not known) USLG.77, W/SUG.77, I/SLG.77 in the Caen area and finally IV(Stuka)LG.1 at Tramecourt ‘The first attacks were made in early July against British Channel convoys with the Priority targets being the escort ships. The attacks were more often than not successful ‘and the destroyers Brazen, Codrington, It is sometimes forgotten that the Junk -4u 87 was used for reconnaissance purpos ‘es ae well at bombing. This. probably ‘explains why this Ju 67D fa seen in compa fay with @ Focke Wulf Fw 189A. No unit Insignia JUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT PAGE $Junkers J 878-2 T6.AD of Stab SL. 2 during ppersurfaces wih RLM. 68 undersides, under wing tips Black cades with leter A” and spinner pn RUM 24 ° \ Sankers Ju 878-2 F1+AR of 7/S1G 77, Russia 194%. RLIW 70771 \ dpoorsurtaces wth RUM 95 undersides, Blac ‘Routind in back onthe yellow feselage band White spinner Up. Unit bedgo under coekpt Delight and Wren were sunk and others damaged. The British gave up using as a base but retained Portsmouth and Portland. It was therefore up to the Stukas to attack these bases and 27 Ju 87s of StG.77 e sent to Portland on 9 July where they © to hit the port installations and a con cently arrived. Spitfires from septed the raid but_met strong opposition from the six BF 110 fight cers that were acting as escort, Honours were about even as S.G.77 lost one Ju 87, but badly damaged the 7,085 ton coastal Dover PAGE 10 JUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT freighter Empire Daffodil Attacks on convoys continued with the British losses being heavy in both escort ships and merchantmen. On 11 July SuG.2 fand Si.G.77 both launched raids against Portland badly damaging two ships but los- ing two of their own aircraft. On 21 July @ convoy of 20 ships to the south of the Isle of ‘Wight came under attack and again two ships were sunk, 24 and 25 July saw the attack switch to Dover where five coasters were hit and two of the last active destroyers of the Ist Flotilla badly damaged. Emphasis on targets changed on 12 August When the Stuka ler were called upon to bit airfield targets at Eastchurch, Detling, Thorney Island, Middle Wallop and Benson. On the 13th Warmell was attacked eschw ‘down or just had an accident 1 some £0 hhave beon written off on the ‘Seen much of the unit badge which is badlyand on the ISth Hawkinge and Lympne were ‘damaged in dive bombing raids, The Stukas were back on the I6th with raids on Tangmere, Gosport, Lee-on-Solent and the radar station at Ventnor, the latter being particularly successful, [Losses were mounting but the worse day was on 18 August when Biggin Hill, Ford, ‘Thorney Island and the Poling radar station were the targets. Whilst forming up for the aitack on the radar station the formations were caught by Hurricanes and Spitfires of Nos. 43, 152, 601 and 602 Squadrons and 16 Ju 875 were shot down, With the RAF getting better at breaking through the fighter escorts and the losses ‘mounting ever higher it was at this point that it was decided to withdraw the Stuka Geschwader and save them for the actual invasion itself. Fortunately these plans did not come to fruition. By early September only three Stuka units were left in northem France with SLG3 available for anti-shipping strikes. It is recorded that on 7 Seplember that only 142 Junkers Ju 87s remained serviceable out of the 316 available atthe start of the bate ‘THE MEDITERRANEAN ‘The Stuka Geschwader were withdrawn to bases in Germany and re-equipped withthe later versions ofthe Ju 87, the B-2, and when new aircrew and aircraft had arrived they returned to operational status this time in the Mediterranean where they were able to return to ther traditional role of supporting the army in the field Initially Stukas were sent to reinforce the Halian attacks on the island of Malta Operating from Trapani in Sicily 43 aircraft of L/StGI, L/StG.2 and Stab/St.G.3 atacked Junkers Ju 878-4 Spectied Upper surace JONKERS JU 67 WARPAINT PAGE 17JUNKERS Ju 878-2 Port side view Erector exhausts fitted - } te prodasion > JUNKERS Ju 8: Underside plan vi fetauv = i fo JUNKERS Ju 878-2 Upper surface plan view JUNKERS Ju 878-1 Pon side view / PAGE 12 JUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT| _ tte the aa sal a at | Che ie. > JUNKERS Ju 871 Port side i o Lh ive only ( JONKERS JU 867 WARPAINT PAGE 13,het One of the development aircaft of the Esch hed sx. ways Into the ‘weapon. The machine guns in the win ‘were not installed neither were dive brakes ‘one of the Malta convoys all but sinking the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and the cruiser Southampron which did sink before reaching safety after sustaining two ditect hits with 00-kg bombs. Hitler had meanvhile decided that the stalemate that had developed between the Italian forces and the Greek defenders called for some stronger action. He therefore planned an attack on the Balkan countries to secure his right lank before dealing with the PAGE 16 JUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT Soviet Union by invading Greece through the backdoor, namely Yugoslavia, The attack started on 6 April and two Stuka Geschwader were moved from their home ‘bases to Romania where they were within easy reach of Belgrade. Some 600 aircraft were deployed within ten days from the date fof the executive orders being issued by Lufiflote 4 based in Vienna, Fliegerkorps VIII under von Richthofen was responsible forthe 120 Junkers Ju 87s that were initial ly involved. "The speed with which the Germans advanced through Yugoslavia caught the defenders completely by surprise and much of the work of subdueing heavily defended Positions was left to the Stukas whilst the mass of panzer armour circumvented these positions. Once again the Stuka pilots we flying at least three sorties a day. The ‘Yugoslav did not have much in the way of ‘motor transport and long columns of troops on foot with equipment carried by horse and cart were attractive targets caught, as they often were, in the narow valleys of this ‘mountainous country Tn Greece it was much the same story. The Germans had reached the Monastir Gap by 23 April, Ju 87s of SU.G.77 reported that they Many Junkers Ju 87s operating on n front had the lower halt ‘spats removed to avoid clogging in the muddy of primitive airfields. This Ju the cowling thought to have be one S ‘ideas. for Panzeriagd Kommando Weiss.aes wth white fuselage bend: Undersurfece of wing ios ‘ohio: Tip of spinner red. Unit bodge undor cork Junkers Ju 87D-1 Trop. S7:KP of SLG 9, North Africa, 1943, UM uppor aurtacos with LM 85 undorides Black codse with Yotow lener"R* White oselage band ang undersurface of win Yip of spinner red, Unt badge on forward cow Junkers JU 87D-3 T5:HK of 2/516 2, Russia, winter 1943-44, RLM 207M upper surlaces with worn temporery white cstemper was Hote ar "apesgn on the rar, ALM 8 underae, Codes ith red itor Hon solage band, Undersu ‘wingtips yellow. Tip of spianar red. Unit badge on forward co 5 L1.CH of 1/546 1, Russa, winter 1949-4 surfaces with worn temporary white distemper traah, RUM 6 undersides, Black codes” hot U¥" approximately eit ae. Yalow usoioge band and undeeurae of wns toe ‘ite bandon spn su 870-5 20 of the Royal Bulgarian ir Force during 1944 Ti Ton upersraces wah Ui Jo. Red and write sirai on spinner. ed and green natel mar {ge on ruddor JUNKERS JUG? WARPAINT PAGE 17Junkers Ju 870-3 No.183 ofthe Royal Romanian Air Force, Jase PSESAUGTP Sorte wi RM 8 undo Vea yD OK-AC 0 Upper surfaces with RUM 66 unde’ Selection of Stuka Gruppen badges ea |O + & 7 Crete where the Germans saw theie opporti- | jysmeang viet Gesch Stab. 2 nities and followed up their overwhelming Susie enmelman Balkans campaign by invading the island and others in the Aegean Sea, Operation Mercury was the brainchild of Generaloberst Student who was the C-in-C of Fliegerkorps 1 consisting of parachute and airborne troops. The invasion tumed out to be an almost entirely Luftwaffe affair as it had established a new base at an airstrip near Athens on 25 May inspite ofthe fact that the British had landed some $8,000 men includ. ing one armoured brigade to try and halt the German spearheads. Many of these troops was soon seen that because of the Royal Navy in strength inthe area, a seaborne land: ing was out ofthe question. The Stukas were to be used in their prime role of long range artillery where they had alr superiority over the hatiletield, They also had a new weapon - a S0-kg fragmentation bomb which detonated 30 ems above the ground that could cut down troops in the ‘open who were not in wel built revetments Bombing missions against British pos tions, in particular anti-aieraft gun sites, built up for several days before the actual Grup. Stab VSG 77 Stab SL.G 77 vst 77 PAGE 18 JUNKERS.JU 87 WARPAINTThe Junkers Ju 878/U4 was m h ‘Undercarriage Imany were converted but weight of the attachments. woul ‘made the carriage of an adequate bomb {oad rather difficult. (Bundesarchiv) parachute and airborne landings on 20 May. The British had taken up strong defensive positions but were pinned down by th incessant attacks by Ju 87s which allowed the lightly armed German troops to consol Jns and in spite of heavy losses ‘won the day. HMS Gloucester, HMS Orion, several destroyers and troops transports were sunk by other units of Ju 87s. [At about the same time the Germans were building up their strength in the north African desert. The Afrikakorps found that the Ju 87 was an ideal weapon forthe ype of mobile warfare that was taking place. Ju 87s were instrumental in subducing Free French resistance at Bir Hakim in June 1941 and were significant in the second battle of ‘Tobruk when the German forces advanced 4 far as El Alamein and the Nile Delta was at this time that Italian Aie Force squadriglia were reinforced with Junkers Ju 87B-2s, They used them well but in a never to be forgotten incident several from 20% Squadriglia ran out of fuel during a mission fon 14 September 1941 and in the forced landing made in the desert fell into RAF hands where at least four were claimed as ‘general duties aircraft by various squadrons land even given RAF serial numbers.‘The only surviving Junkers Ju 87D is that hold’ by the RAF Museum, Hendon. Its WNr. wat 494085 \ though ‘the markings eon here are more than likely not similar Russian front NEW VARIANTS. “The Junkers Ju 87 had always been a short- range aircraft which in some of the cam- paigns, particularly the Bate of Britain, worked to their disadvantage. The Ju 87R overcame some of these by having under wing tanks but the aircraft's speed also caused concer. An extensive redesign cen- tted around the Jumo 211J engine was initi- ated at Dessau and two prototypes designat- ed Ju 87V21 and V22 were produced which had an entirely different nose with a smaller radiator, the removal of the oil cooler from fn top of the nose to undemeath, the extra range of the R variant as standard, a new cockpit eanopy with twin instead ofa single ‘machine gun for rearward defence and more ‘extensive armour plating, The first flight of the prototype was made in February 1941 and there followed two more pre-production aircraft including one built specifically for tropical trials During tests it was also decided to increase the aircrafts wing span and before the first of the D variants, as the new model was de ignated, flew, this modification was incorpo- rated. It was also at this time that the Ju 87 was considered for straight forward ground attack work and on the D-5 no air brakes were fitted. A version for night attack wi large flame damped exhausts and the Jumo 2LIP engine of 1,500-hp was introduced Which also had two 20-mm cannon in the wings replacing the machine guns, ‘The Ju 87D began to replace the B version in Geschwader service at the end of 1941 Production was also stepped up and 917 were built during 1942. Production was fur- ther increased to 1,844 in 1943 and 1,012 in 1944 before the final Ju 87 left the production lines, OPERATION BARBAROSSA, Hitler's peace pact with Stalin and the sub- PAGE 20° JUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT $o2" suntresue7e2 ‘Ae ‘Roze exyun 192 ante Ju 6762 Fa Porson ae karo m2 FAVTO:® Flown by Richard Zs 148 Sonor 6 70 Haye wersts PHOTO ETCHED ACCESSORIES RESIN PARTS 18 unter Ju67BR Amare Deis ——AKAASET. Markings for Aitahorp sta 172 Santer Ju7B mark Deis REDE ‘ate of Baer mange plas B70 148 “inter Ju678 Minot Small At Prod zabe2 192 iner 876-102 Supeseie sequent division of Poland was intended on the German's part as no more than a holding ‘operation before the final clash in which the ‘wo political dogmas of National Socialism and Communism met head on. Hitler was making advanced plans for this, even shorly after the take-over of Poland and advanced airfields were constructed ‘long the new frontier under the Ostbauprogramm as early as October 1940. Initially these were used for taining aircraft but as aireraft and troops became available after their withdrawal from Greece, Crete, France and the Low Counties they took over these airfields in preparation for Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, ‘A1 0300 rs on 22 June 1941 the first tanks, infantry and aircraft crossed the border and JUNKERS JU 87 KITS AND DECALS Compiled By Ona Hannan. Comite Januay 1998destruction ofthe Soviet land and air forces. In the air the bulk of these kills was achieved by Luftflote 2 commanded by Kesselring With 1,811 Soviet aircraft destroyed it proved to be the greatest ar victory in terms fof numbers that had ever been fought German losses during the same period were ‘a mere 35 aircraft of all types, ‘The speed at which the pa ‘meant thatthe Stukageschwader had to keep up and inthe traditions that they had built up ‘over the previous two years they found themselves on primitive landing grounds close tothe front line where their devastating Power was used to the full. Stuka aircrew were given no rest and, unlike Allied air crew, did not do a tour of duty involving so many operations before they were rested. In the operations over Russia crews doubled their daily sonie rate to six a day, day after day New tactics were developed as the panz~ cers advanced. In order to keep up with the twoops Luftwaffe observers with radio com: ‘munications went ahead with the troops and, Preparing to hand crank # Junkers Ju 878 of 3/S%.G 2 Immelman at St. Mal during the Battle of Britain. Hand ‘cranking on Ju 87s was a two-man job. Note that this aircraft had a badly bent ner and very rudimentary. whoo! Chocks. (Bundesarchiv) in close liaison with the army commanders, were able to bring Stuka attacks to bear on any points of resistance that could not be by passed or subdued without their assistance This period also confirmed the ruggedness of the Ju87 design as the airfields used were fof the most primitive and conditions atro cious, Whereas most other aircraft were rounded because of the conditions. the Stukats continued to fly and on the mainte ance side the ease of servicing of the Ju 87 Where items such as an engine change could be done by the whole compartment being removable by the unscrewing of bolts and & simple mobile hoist did much to popularise their activities. The rugged design also stood up to ground fire as most Stuka losses were ‘caused by this rather than by enemy fighters With the advance coming to a halt at Stalingrad in the south and the suburbs of Moscow and Leningrad in the north, the advent of winter called for even harsher con- ditions for the Stukageschwader erews Changes in tactics also became apparent asi was found that when attacking concentra tions of armoured vehicles dive bombing although accurate, could only take out one or At the most two tanks a time forthe expen: diture of the whole bomb load. It meant th either many had 10 be employed or new tactics developed Twas at this point that the Germans exper: {mented with the installation of a Flak 18 37 ‘mm anti-tank gun weighing 600-Ibs on a number of different aircraft including the Ja 690K of 281 2 Russa, winter 04244, RUM 7071 Upper srioces wth daubed spots of white distemper, REM es undersides, Yellow fuselage band and undersurfaces of wing tps Black codes with eter ‘in rod outlined nvwhite, White 5! on wheal apats and white spinner tp. Junkers Ju 870-5 ‘Lof unknown unit surrendered tothe American 1Oth PRG, USAAF at Fuh, Germany on'® May 1545 Worn RUM707" uppersur fnes und 03 orien Yalow hstiage noe bards Yalow ud lower wing surfaces, Sms re leer outlined in white, White gpral on PAGE 22 JUNKERS JU 67 WARPAINT87D. Two could be carried under the wings with six rounds per gun encased in stream: line pods. During February 1943 several Ju ‘87s mounting these guns were tried out at the Rechlin testing centre and found to be entirely satisfactory. All bomb carrying mounts were removed and a trials unit Panzerjagdkommando Weiss was. estab- lished to try them out operationally ‘The Junkers Ju 87G, as this version was esignated, was essentially a ebuild of the Ju 87D-5, It was found that when attacking tanks from the rear the Wolfram-core armour-peireing, three pound shells were effective against most Soviet armoured vehi cles, ‘The first Junkers Ju 87Gs went into action during the Kursk offensive with St.G.1 and StG2 in 1943, They were also issued to Schlachtgeschwaders 3 and 77. Almost all were delivered 0 the Eastern Front but before the end of the war Ju 87Gs were also active against Allied forces in the wes. Out of a final production order for 208 rebuilt Ju 87G-2s, 174 were produced at Bremen-Lemwerder before all Ju 87 produc- tion ceased in October 1944, SATEI ITE STUKAS. Mention of the use of the Ju 87B-2 in the Reggia Aeronautica has already been made. ‘These were supplemented by the D version later inthe war. ‘The Romanian Air Force was a major user of the Ju 87. As the Germans wished to pro: tect their vital ol assets in that country it was decided to arm the Romanians with various Luftwaffe aircraft and three squadrons of Ju '87Bs were established in June 1941. With some 20 Romanian divisions supporting the German attack on Russia in the south these aircraft were later supplemented by over 100 Ju 87Ds which served with Escadrila 84, 85 and 86, The Romanians capitulated on 23 August 1944 and declared war on Germany the day after which meant thatthe remaining Ju 87s were used against them. They were formed into Escadrila 74 using revised red, yellow and blue roundels instead of the yel Tow cross used earlier. “The Hungarians received Ju 87s in 1943 with enough aircraft to equip one dive bomber squadron assigned to Luftflote 4, Both Bs and Ds were in the order. Similar ‘numbers of both versions were supplied to the Bulgarians whose activities were con fined to anti-partisan operations. These 100 were tured against the Germans from September 1944 when Russian forces over ran the country. NIGHT OPERATIONS Not many realise that the Junkers Ju 87, essentially a daytime bomber, was used on ‘a number of occasions at night. ‘The first known action was not long after the Batle of Britain, A few Ju 87s remained after the bulk had been posted to the Mediterranean and these were not discov- cred until 4 June 1941 when a Spitfire of No, 145 Squadron shot one down near Le Havre. Junkers Ju 878-2 T6sCN of 5/St.G 2 warm- ing up its engine before take-off im Stely (Gundesarchiv) OPERATIONAL LUFTWAFFE UNITS USING THE JUNKERS Ju 87 STUKA {AS with all Lutwate formations the Stukageschwader used a variety of steraft at diferent times. Units could have the same basic role of give bombing or ground attack but various unite within the Goschwador could be serving on the Russian frot, Western Desert. Baars or on home ‘duties atthe same ime, This makes the identifeation and tacking down of unit markings of en. Sderablecificulty but the following ist, although in general arms, ives aa indication of which ‘Geschwader used the Ju 67 and as far ae possible codes allocated to each, Prewar 1936 107 1938 Unit Base Unie Base Unie Base WS 162 Schwerin SIG 162, ‘Sehwerin. «USL 162? SiG 162 Lubecea” JSG 162 Lubecca’ WSLS 163? USLG 165 KitingenLStG262 7 mys t6s =? WSUG165 —Kitingen SRG 187 ———_—Lubecea (5.6165 Wertheim —/StG 185 Kitzingen M/SLG 165 Breslovia SUG. 185 Wertheim i an 186-168 Graz World War 2 In July 1839 there wore five main Stukageschwader operational These consisted of SUG 162 Immelman” Coded: 73, ‘StG 167 Coded 71 SUG 163, Coded: 35 SiG 168 Coded: 81 Sto 168 Coded: 52 ‘With the reorganisation ofthe Luftwaffe into Lufflttan andthe changing designation ofthe units ‘within each, the Stukagesehwader wore cvded up into the four main Luftfioten with the excep. tion of Luftioten 2. The femaindor are shown as follows Lateflorte Unit Base Equipment USUG 1 Insterburg—S5u'87 and 3 Do 7 UstG2 Cottbus 38 Jug? S62 StolpReitz 38.40 87 tastG 2 ‘oie Latelotte Uni Base Equipment MYSLG 51 Wertheim 40Ju87 and 3 Do 17 Lateflotte 4 Unie Base Equipment Stab/SLG77Breslauw-Schongarten 3Ju87 Usee77 Briog soJua7 SG 77 Breslau-Schongorten 42 Ju 87 WStG 78 Grav ‘30 Ju87 and 3 Do 17 [No comprehensive detail seems to be compiled forthe period ater this as units were moved and took on additional aircraft according to operational need. The main Stukageschwaderientied tare thoretore as follows: Une ‘Code nie code sto A5,1,06,01 — $tG101—F "Formed at Wertheim 5143 SLG2Immelmann T6,49,82,60 S102 ?-—_—Formedat Graz Thalerhot Foggia 5.63 SU,S1,26,A8 tC 1037 Formed at Mets 44 5.65 U1, 09) SUG 151 AS, 60 Formed at Agram 5/3 StG51 6 StG 198 J9' Formed as Carier Group S67 Bt 16 (T6186) and thon s.677 52, 1,56 rumored as LSU. 1 By 1963 Junkars Ju 87s were employed n a numberof addtional role including nigh ntrdic {ion ground atack ond reconnaasance. This brovot bout number ef erent Gruppe desl. nations such as NSGr. (night harrassment group) SG. (lose support and ground attack wing] ‘ind SKG ttt bomber wving. Most ofthese had a mitre of aera including fighters uch 8 {he Bt 109 an fw 10, largr typos such asthe Do 217 and even obsolte machines ie te Fw Sand Hs 26. Groups darted ar listed below wih toi un cds In brackets where know NsGr. 1 (V8), NSGr 2 (0), NSGe4 1K) NSGr5 F5), NSGr.6 (), NSGr.? («| NSGr® 6), INSGr.9 E8),'NSGr-10 (50), NSGr.20 (7. 8G 1 (AS, 66), 80 2 Immelman (9, 86 3 (57, ‘3G 8 (09), 50'9 (671,80 77 (82) 86 103), 30.104 (7) S@ 191 00, ast) SKG 10 (637. Bacitional Stikageachinder ented include S€.6 160, Sk 162, St.G 163, St.G 168 and ‘586 262. Another unit not otherwise mentioned was Lahrgescherader 1 (Lt) which was he ‘peratonsl development wing which became ISLC 1 Inu 1940 LJUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT PAGE 23— —— This interesting ploture of « Junkers Ju 870-1 of SUG I shows the trapeze bomb ‘lease under fuselage hanging down. The Spinner appears to be painted in RLM 70, Yellow, white and RLM 70 while the Indi: tor ie repeated on the jundoserchiv) Others were seen and attacked on the ground at Cherbourg and sightings were made near Bayeux/Creuilly, ‘On the night of 7-8 September 1941 British radar picked up a formation of enemy air craft tracking across the Channel at 22.30 hours. Bombs were dropped at both Margate and Ramsgate several falling in the harbour at the latter. Other aircraft attacked Dover harbour from 8,000 ft in a dive which was obviously a Ju 87 tactic ‘These raids continued sporadically during the winter months but with the advent of the Beaufighter and its airborne radar they were soon superseded by faster aircraft such as the Fw 190. By the end of the year only about 30, Ju 87s remained in France according to intel ligence sources, The next night action to feature the Ju 87 ‘was in Russia and followed the same tactics as the Russians had used with the Po-2 biplanes in harassing the enemy at night Some 300 Ju 87Ds were modified to have flame damping exhausts and were assigned to some ten Nachtschlachgeshwardem each comprising of three Staffeln with a total strength of 60 aircraft, ‘To conduct night attacks in Italy the Luftwaffe organised! NSG9 being brought up to strength with aircraft from NSG2 it Poland. They used the Ju 87-3 and made a ‘number of not very successful night attacks fon bridges when based at Caselle, near ‘Thre Junkers Ju 878-28 of St.G 1 using the north African coast ine as a navigating, pinpoint whilst on the way to their next {arget. Note the white fuselage band used ‘on du 87s in thi theatre, (Bundesarchiv) PAGE 24 JUNKERS JU 87. WARPAINTTurin NSGI after having spent « period in the East Front returned to Germany to be based at BonninghardySouth airfield being ‘equipped with Ju 87D-3 and D-Ss. They ‘were briefed to attack artillery positions and troop oF vehicle concentrations at night. Some of the Stukas were fitted with target ‘marking flares and acted as pathfinders for the others at the same time dispensing Window anti-radar foil. RAF night fighters eagerly looking for targets soon found them, NSG2 operating from two airfields close to Cologne were engaged in similar operations against Allied troops and took part in the Laftwaffe's last major operation on New ‘Year's Day flying sorties before and after the main attack in the Ardennes. Sporadic acks followed thereafter but the defences vere constantly alert and their efforts against bridge targets over the Weser and the Remagen bridge in Holland were not very effective. The last Stuka known to be shot down by an RAF night fighter was on 23 April 1945 when a Mosquito disposed of {0 of the enemy just before the war ended. LES ‘SER-KNOWN VARIANTS. Although the Ju 87G was the last version 10 be builtin any numbers it was followed by the Ju 87H which was a dual control trainer based on the D variant. Most of these were ‘converted from that model having no dive brakes and a pair of transparent blisters added to the side panel of the rear cockpit ‘canopy to improve the instructor's view ‘A further attempt to radically update the basic Ju 87 was begun in the Spring of 1941 JUNKERS Ju 87 COCKPIT LAYOUT Cockpit interior colour overall RLM 66 Schwar-grau Instruments on bind fying panel had black f ‘ther instruments, were also black faced. Lever knabe ss Some KEY 1.lind tying pane with ak foe a tachometer 2. Clearview panel hinged at right. &. Trim wheel 7. Rago requoncy 8. Gun sigh. 8. Rubber padding with 410. Control column with {gun baton on top. 11. Rudder pods 42, Clearview pans cockpit floor, 413. Seat height contro! Ju 87 instrument panel. This Close-up view ‘the blind flying centred with instruments “JONKERS JU #7 WARPAINT PAGE 25‘The 1,200 hp. Junker eylinder, liquid cools Originally designated Ju 87F, this had an increased span, retracting undercarraige and a dorsal barbette in place ofthe rear gunners Position with a cannon and machine gun armament. Design work was completed early in 1943 and the aircraft was retitled Ju 187 but because it would have shown only ‘marginally improved performance over the existing Ju 87D, it was scrapped, Amongst the experimental versions of the Ju 87 that were built was the D-3 two large blisters above each of carrying two men. Side windows in each allowed a modicum of see-through vision for the pilot. The intention was to use this vari ant for clandestine operations behind enemy lines and for landing agents engaged in sab- ‘tage work. Tests were carried out with a prototype tthe Graf Zeppelin research inst tute near Stuttgart but were abandoned, ‘One last version worthy of mention was the glider-towing Ju 87. These were mainly adaptations of the BYR versions but the tow ing hook which was externally mounted and fastened to the aft fuselage bulkheads could be attached to other versions as well. The sliders towed were usually DFS 230As Which after operational service early in the PAGE 25 JUNKERS JU 67 WARPAINT ‘Armour plate ‘wae fitted tothe Rum 66 Schwaregrau UM with ed to training duties later. SURVIVORS Considering the number of Junkers Ju 87s built only two survive. This was probably due to the British and Allied Disarmament ‘Wings that moved in behind the army imme: diately after the end of the war and the fact that there were so few left in the West. ‘The two that have survived are the RAF Museum's example which is a Junkers Ju 87D-4 Werke Nummer 494085 and that in Wisconsin, USA, which is a B but was last noted without its undercarriage spats. This JUNKERS JU 87 CREW ACCOMMODATION ‘Altseat belts ‘coloured with buckles fone was captured by the British in the Western Desert and handed over to the Americans. The Junkers Ju 87 was one of the most potent weapons associated with the German's type of blitzkreig warfare and When used in the proper way against lightly defended targets could place its. weapons with considerable accuracy. It will not be remembered as avery altractive aeroplane but nevertheless was a particularly valuable asset to the German High Command's crals when they were conquering Europe and part of the Soviet Union.JUNKERS Ju 87 VARIANTS AND CLOSE-UPS brought up to full strength and integrated Inco the Luftwaffe whon the carrier project ‘was shelved. Later this became IWSt.G 1 Variant. This had the addition ‘carrying pods nestly streamlined into the Upper surface on each wing. These were Jortisonable in th ‘with parachutes probloms wore encoutnored with the ease ‘Of separation of the pods In fight as each hhad to release at exactly the same moment Strengthening to. the. wing as the load, pant from the attachment pointe equated fo that normally associated with the ‘ratt’s bomb load. (Bundesarchiv) ‘A general arrangement drawing of the Junkers Ju 870-3 ‘showing the shape and position of the two wing pods with ‘ested. Both had windows each JUNKERS Ju 87 underwing ordnance When operating in the ground attack role “Special gun pack was developed for use on inkers Ju 87 aireratt of any variant, that ‘Could be fitted to one or both of the under: ‘wing bomb racks. Twa versions wore built ‘wee MGB1Zs with 250 rounds por gun ‘mounted in trays and self-contained within the pack. The B version (shown ‘she guns burt a greatly reduced ammunition Toad. The adaption wes mainly used on the JUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT PAGE 27JUNKERS Ju 87 Main specifications Sunkors Ju 878-2 Wingspen 458308 Wingspan 492 12ins tong Senne ange” SRR Yale tage name Hae ‘at zine ey sac0ibe Emp 00 ibe tonows Site Landed ine) ste be Engine" 1200hplunkers_ Ein’ 1400 unkers, "Rm 2104 ender” somo 1, teaver igabancteched te ico reo we i 285 mph Mery a Begapet ete Cain 26250 373m alg leew cli azn ange 0 mies with 1200 engine uel Sie ‘Armament Sooner Sombie an) 3968 be fomtivet 20s Sambloadinan, 3968 ‘ne Mersinvew coupe, MGBYZ win 72m One of the largest non-German countries to have the Junkers Ju 87 on strongth wes that of Romenia. Assigned to Luftflatta 4 both ‘Ja 878 and D variants wore used on the Russian front. This pic. ‘tre shows a D-1 with ground crew. (Bundesarchiv) PAGE 28 JUNKERS JU 87 WARPAINT Munch. (Gumdesarchiv)hn 1940 ALM 70/7 upper sur faces wth FUM 65 under lise codes wth lett ny cover of sven mount: Cnt badge ‘Under cocks sepadeutanaress, BUM 707 upper ‘surfaces with wing tips. Red tip to spinner. ° Junkers Jy. 870-2. 760M ‘Brunhlde’ of 4/StG 2 Russia. TSITC RUM 7071 upper surfaces with FLM 88 undersides, Black des with a utnad wie ure? unkers Ju 870-1 of 218 Surfaces with RLM 5 underaies ‘verpainting ofthe orginal ‘pattern of RLM TS, RLM 85 ungerdides, Codes back with lt ter'C outined in white and Junkers Ju 878-2 T6AN of align sand, RLM 65 un utined white, White fuselage white band end black green tip DRAWINGS BY DAVID HOWLEY