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Tank-Busting Stuka: The Ju 87G "Kanonenvogel"

Thanks Mike for posting this account. Years ago I bought some WWII era German documents that civilians would have had to have at this time in order to travel about to give my students a better understanding of what a tight grip the Nazi’s had on civilian travel. Years later I googled the names on these documents and was shocked to find that I had a Reisepass that belonged to a young man that would become a famous Luftwaffe pilot who would earn a Knight’s Cross. His name Werner Roell (8 February 1914 – 10 May 2008) and he was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II. As a German officer he served as pilot with Kampfgeswader 40 (KG 40) in Germany and Norway, 1940; served with as pilot with 4/Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (4/St.G 77), 4/Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (I/St.G 77) and commanding I/Schlachtgeswader 77 (SG 77) in France, Yugoslavia, Greece and Soviet Union, 1940-1945 served with Jagdverband 44 (JV44) in Germany, 1945. During this time period he became a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. If you have the time you might like to check here and listen to an oral history recording where Werner Roell tells his story in his own words.


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Recusant said:
Thanks Mike for posting this account. Years ago I bought some WWII era German documents that civilians would have had to have at this time in order to travel about to give my students a better understanding of what a tight grip the Nazi’s had on civilian travel. Years later I googled the names on these documents and was shocked to find that I had a Reisepass that belonged to a young man that would become a famous Luftwaffe pilot who would earn a Knight’s Cross. His name Werner Roell (8 February 1914 – 10 May 2008) and he was a highly decorated Major in the Luftwaffe during World War II. As a German officer he served as pilot with Kampfgeswader 40 (KG 40) in Germany and Norway, 1940; served with as pilot with 4/Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (4/St.G 77), 4/Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (I/St.G 77) and commanding I/Schlachtgeswader 77 (SG 77) in France, Yugoslavia, Greece and Soviet Union, 1940-1945 served with Jagdverband 44 (JV44) in Germany, 1945. During this time period he became a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. If you have the time you might like to check here and listen to an oral history recording where Werner Roell tells his story in his own words.


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Very cool post, thanks!
 
When I was stationed in Berlin back in the early 80’s, the only thing we ever did that had anything to do with WW2 was pulling guard duty at Spandau Prison. Rudolf Hess was the only prisoner in there. He would take his daily stroll around the yard while we were in towers observing him.
He would try to talk to us but the only thing we were allowed to say to him is “Halt or I will Fire”.
 
Warrior9(Ret) said:
I’ve seen what the A-10 Warthog can do to armor and wheeled vehicles, hard targets and Tangos in the open. Devastating! The AC-130 is a Friggin nightmare for the bad guys.
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Hello Warrior9, dennishm2 here. I salute you for your service. I have a question about the Stuka and the A10 lineage. I have always thought that after the P51’s started escorting the 8th AF into far deep Germany, the P47 roles were updated to include ground support for the Army. Once the P47 was replaced during the Korean Conflict (and used in Vietnam) with the A1 Skyraider, the military wanted to go to jet propulsion for these attack aircraft. Both of these aircraft have excelled in their ground attack missions. We only have to ask the ground forces during these conflicts to know how thankful they were, when they heard those distinctive engines from above. It was the P47 and A1 that paved the way for the A10 to become the best ground attack aircraft ever. Remember the staunch positions taken by many advocates of the A10 when talk of bone yarding was mentioned a few years ago. Even when they retire the complete inventory of A10’s, rumor has it that an ally country maybe buying some of these fine weapons platforms for use by their Air Force. I have never really thought the Stuka was used for supporting ground troops, in a fully defensive way. What with the distinct noise making ability the Stuka had when diving. I thought is was more of a terrorist tool of war against citizens and troops. Just my dimes input. Sincerely.
 
dennishm2 said:
Hello Warrior9, dennishm2 here. I salute you for your service. I have a question about the Stuka and the A10 lineage. I have always thought that after the P51’s started escorting the 8th AF into far deep Germany, the P47 roles were updated to include ground support for the Army. Once the P47 was replaced during the Korean Conflict (and used in Vietnam) with the A1 Skyraider, the military wanted to go to jet propulsion for these attack aircraft. Both of these aircraft have excelled in their ground attack missions. We only have to ask the ground forces during these conflicts to know how thankful they were, when they heard those distinctive engines from above. It was the P47 and A1 that paved the way for the A10 to become the best ground attack aircraft ever. Remember the staunch positions taken by many advocates of the A10 when talk of bone yarding was mentioned a few years ago. Even when they retire the complete inventory of A10’s, rumor has it that an ally country maybe buying some of these fine weapons platforms for use by their Air Force. I have never really thought the Stuka was used for supporting ground troops, in a fully defensive way. What with the distinct noise making ability the Stuka had when diving. I thought is was more of a terrorist tool of war against citizens and troops. Just my dimes input. Sincerely.
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The P47 and the P38 Lightning were not designed from the ground up so to speak as ground attack aircraft. though they were modified to perform that role and did very well. As far as I know, there were only two aircraft which were designed and developed as ground attack aircraft and that was Germany's HS-129 and the Soviet Sturmovik. You are right though about the AF wanting to get rid of the A10. They even tried giving a great deal to the Army, but the Army wanted a replacement for the Mohawk recon aircraft, not an attack aircraft. Thank goodness more reasonable heads prevailed.
 
I wish the people that want to retire the A-10 would talk to people that served in combat before we had the A-10. Fast movers (supersonic jet fighter/bombers) were too fast to be accurate. I think the A-1 Douglas Skyraider had a lot to do with the decision to build a dedicated ground attack aircraft. The A-1 and the AC-47 and later AC-130 were the best ground support in the Vietnam War. Both could stay in the area a long time. And both were very accurate when targeting danger close enemy. There are a lot of people sporting scars from danger close ammunitions delivered by the fast movers of the day.
Maybe the targeting computers are better now, but you'd have to prove it to me. During the Vietnam War we had many more friendly fire casualties then I see with A-10 support. The A-10 has pilot protection the fast jets don't have, and the A-10 can take a beating and still fly home.
I think when the F-35 becomes a primary ground support aircraft, we're going to see a lot more aircraft losses that cost a lot more money. Many of those losses will mean a mission not completed and a lost pilot.
 
Interesting article. As to WWII aircraft that make me think of genus of the A-10 format, I think of the "Commerce Destroyers" in the Pacific. Taking B25s and sticking 8 .50-caliber guns in the nose and 2 more .50s on both sides of the nose, it's not a stretch to call them the "Warthogs of the Pacific." And the top turret's two .50s joining in too, certainly would add to the "BURT" moment.
 
The B-25H was armed with four .50 cals in the nose, two on its left cheek, two on its right cheek, and a nose-mounted 75mm tank cannon (U.S. Air Force) Like the British, the U.S. needed a heavy-hitting aircraft for anti-ship operations. The answer came in the form of a tank cannon on a bomber.
 
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