The German War Files Bombers And Bombing Raids 1939 1942
TLDRThe video script details the rise and challenges of the German Luftwaffe during World War II, from its secret establishment in 1933 to its significant role in various military campaigns. It highlights the development of aircraft like the Heinkel He 111, Dornier Do 17, and Junkers Ju 88, and their deployment in battles over Poland, France, Britain, and the Soviet Union. The script also discusses the strategic and operational shortcomings that led to heavy losses and the eventual decline of the Luftwaffe's bombing arm, emphasizing the impact of these events on the broader war effort.
Takeaways
- 🗓️ In mid-1936, the German Luftwaffe was officially just over a year old, having been secretly built since Hitler's rise to power in 1933, and already had nearly 2,000 aircraft and 20,000 men.
- 📹 The release of propaganda films showcasing the Luftwaffe's strength was aimed at communicating an image of power to both domestic and international audiences.
- ✈️ The Dornier Do-23, shown in the film, was already being phased out due to poor performance, with the Luftwaffe favoring the Junkers 52 and developing new second-generation bombers like the He-177.
- 🔧 The death of General Weber led to a shift in Luftwaffe strategy, with a focus on twin-engine bombers over heavy, long-range bombers like the Do-19 and Ju-89.
- 🚀 The Ju-86 was a bomber variant that initially served as a civilian airliner for Deutsche Lufthansa and was known for its use of diesel engines and distinctive design features.
- 🛫 The Heinkel He-111 and Dornier Do-17 were among the primary bomber types used by the Luftwaffe, with the He-111 being a scaled-up version of the earlier He-70 and playing a significant role in the war.
- 💣 The Ju-88 emerged as the most versatile aircraft in the Luftwaffe, serving in numerous roles and proving its worth despite initial teething problems.
- 🎯 The Luftwaffe's bombing strategy was initially focused on achieving air superiority by targeting enemy airfields, a tactic that was key to the rapid victories in Poland and France.
- 🇫🇷 During the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe's bomber units suffered significant losses, which were never fully recovered, impacting the effectiveness of their air campaign.
- 🛬 The use of photo reconnaissance was crucial for the planning of bombing raids, with aircraft like the Ju-88 playing a key role in gathering intelligence on enemy defenses and dispositions.
Q & A
When was the Luftwaffe officially declared by Adolf Hitler?
-Adolf Hitler officially declared the existence of the Luftwaffe in March 1935.
How long after Hitler's rise to power was the secret building of the Luftwaffe initiated?
-The secret building of the Luftwaffe was initiated within days of Hitler becoming Chancellor in January 1933.
What was the initial strength of the Luftwaffe when it was officially unveiled in 1936?
-When officially unveiled in 1936, the Luftwaffe could already boast a strength of nearly 2,000 aircraft and some 20,000 men.
Which aircraft was being phased out by the Luftwaffe even as it was showcased in the mid-1936 film?
-The Dornier Do-23 was being phased out by the Luftwaffe even as it was showcased in the mid-1936 film.
What was the first major impact on the bombing arm of the Luftwaffe after the death of General Weber in June 1936?
-The death of General Weber in June 1936 led to the cancellation of the Euro bomber project, as his successor believed in the need for a long-range bomber capable of reaching Scotland and the Urals from Germany.
What was the He-177 designed to be and when did Heinkel receive the contract to build it?
-The He-177 was designed to be a four-engine heavy bomber. Heinkel received the contract to build it in 1937.
What was the Ju-86 originally developed for?
-The Ju-86 was originally developed as a civilian airliner for Deutsche Lufthansa before being adopted for bomber use.
What was the primary role of the Do-17 and what was its maximum speed?
-The primary role of the Do-17 was as a bomber, with a maximum speed of approximately 220 miles an hour.
Which aircraft was used extensively for reconnaissance and had a significant influence on the design of the Heinkel 111?
-The Heinkel He-70 was used extensively for reconnaissance and had a significant influence on the design of the Heinkel 111.
What was the code name for the German invasion of Poland and when was it set to begin?
-The code name for the German invasion of Poland was 'Fall Weiss', and it was set to begin on the 1st of September 1939.
What was the significance of the Ju-88 in the Luftwaffe and when did it first reach front-line squadrons?
-The Ju-88 was significant as it emerged as the most versatile aircraft in the Luftwaffe, capable of serving in a myriad of different roles. The first production model Ju-88A1s reached front-line Luftwaffe squadrons just before the onset of war.
Outlines
🚀 Emergence of the Luftwaffe
In mid-1936, the German Ministry of Propaganda released footage of the new Luftwaffe, which was officially just over a year old. Hitler had secretly sanctioned the building of this air force immediately after becoming chancellor in January 1933. By the time of its public unveiling in March 1935, the Luftwaffe already had nearly 2,000 aircraft and 20,000 men. However, the Dornier Do-23 bomber shown in the footage was already being phased out due to poor performance. The propaganda film aimed to present an image of a powerful and effective air force, causing genuine concern within British and French military intelligence about its potential. The death of General Weber, the Luftwaffe's first chief of staff, in June 1936 impacted the bomber arm significantly.
✈️ Development of the Do-17 'Flying Pencil'
The Dornier Do-17, initially developed as a high-speed transport for Lufthansa, was adopted by the German Air Ministry as a bomber after being rejected as an airliner. Known as the 'Flying Pencil,' it was developed in bomber (E) and reconnaissance (F) variants, powered by twin BMW engines. By 1937, several bomber squadrons were equipped with the Do-17, which saw action in the Spanish Civil War. Despite its speed, the Do-17's bomb load and range were limited, leading to its replacement by improved models with radial engines by 1938.
🛩️ The Versatile Junkers Ju-88
The Junkers Ju-88, first flown in December 1936, was versatile and served in multiple roles during WWII. Although it experienced teething problems, the Ju-88 became one of the Luftwaffe's most valuable assets, used for bombing, reconnaissance, and even dive-bombing. Its design featured extensive glazing and grouped crew positions, common in German bombers. The Ju-88 played a significant role in the invasion of Poland in 1939, targeting Polish airfields and aiding the rapid German advance.
⚔️ Luftwaffe's Role in the Western Campaign
During the invasion of France and the Low Countries in May 1940, the Luftwaffe's bombers played a crucial role, striking airfields and supporting ground operations. Despite successes, the bombers faced increasing resistance from Allied fighters, leading to significant losses. The German strategy of blitzkrieg relied heavily on the Luftwaffe's ability to secure air superiority and disrupt enemy movements, exemplified by the intense bombing of Dunkirk and subsequent operations against French defenses.
🦅 Battle of Britain: Luftwaffe's Strategic Errors
The Battle of Britain, which began in earnest in August 1940, saw the Luftwaffe targeting RAF airfields and later switching to bombing London. The strategic error of focusing on London allowed the RAF to recover and mount a strong defense. The Luftwaffe's bombers, including the Ju-88, He-111, and Do-17, suffered heavy losses due to their vulnerability to RAF fighters. The battle culminated on September 15, 1940, with significant German bomber losses, leading to the cancellation of Operation Sea Lion.
🌃 The Coventry Blitz
On November 14, 1940, the Luftwaffe conducted a devastating raid on Coventry, using X-beams for navigation. This raid, part of a broader campaign against British cities, resulted in the destruction of 60,000 buildings and the famous cathedral, along with significant casualties. The raid highlighted the effectiveness of the Luftwaffe's bombing strategy but also marked the increasing resilience and countermeasures of the British defenses.
🌊 U-Boat and Condor Cooperation
The German occupation of the French Atlantic coast in 1940 significantly enhanced the U-boat campaign against Britain. The deployment of Focke-Wulf Condors provided vital air support, allowing attacks on convoys far out to sea. Despite their initial success, Condors faced increasing resistance from British countermeasures, including fighter aircraft launched from catapults and escort carriers. Coordination between the Luftwaffe and U-boats improved, leading to some successful attacks on convoys.
🎯 British Countermeasures and Condor Vulnerability
By mid-1941, British countermeasures, including anti-aircraft guns and catapult-launched Hurricanes, began to make life difficult for Condors. Despite Churchill's designation of the Condor as a 'scourge,' its effectiveness was hampered by limited numbers and structural weaknesses. The Condor's role evolved to include transmitting convoy coordinates to U-boats, but coordination issues persisted, limiting the overall impact of their operations.
❄️ Luftwaffe in the Eastern Front
The invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941 saw the Luftwaffe initially achieving significant successes, destroying many Soviet aircraft on the ground. However, the further the German forces advanced, the more challenging it became for the Luftwaffe to operate effectively. Supply issues, harsh weather, and increased Soviet resistance led to high attrition rates. The Luftwaffe's bomber arm, already stretched thin, struggled to maintain its effectiveness as the campaign dragged on.
🛑 Operation Typhoon and Luftwaffe Challenges
Operation Typhoon, the final German offensive aimed at capturing Moscow in late 1941, saw the Luftwaffe supporting ground forces in increasingly challenging conditions. High attrition rates, unserviceable aircraft, and overstretched supply lines hampered their effectiveness. Despite initial successes, the Luftwaffe's ability to support the offensive waned, leading to their first major defeat before Moscow. The Luftwaffe's bomber units were critically weakened by the end of 1941, unable to recover fully from the losses incurred.
❄️ Winter Struggles and Decline of the Luftwaffe Bomber Force
As the German advance stalled before Moscow and winter set in, the Luftwaffe's bomber force faced severe operational challenges. Attrition, mechanical failures, and harsh conditions took their toll. The withdrawal of bomber groups to other fronts further weakened their capacity. The Luftwaffe's inability to maintain air superiority and support the army during the Soviet counter-offensive led to significant losses and marked the beginning of a prolonged decline in the effectiveness of the Luftwaffe's bombing campaign on the Eastern Front.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Luftwaffe
💡Versailles Peace Treaty
💡Blitzkrieg
💡Heinkel He 111
💡Dornier Do 17
💡Junkers Ju 88
💡Battle of Britain
💡Operation Barbarossa
💡Fw 200 Condor
💡Photo Reconnaissance
💡Moscow Raids
Highlights
In mid-1936, the German Luftwaffe was officially over a year old and had been secretly building up since Hitler's rise to power in 1933.
By its official unveiling, the Luftwaffe had nearly 2,000 aircraft and 20,000 men, showcasing its strength through propaganda films.
The Dornier Do-23, a main type of aircraft for Germany's bomber wings, was being phased out due to poor performance.
The Junkers 52 transport was favored over the Do-23 due to its increased bomber production.
New second-generation bombers like the Dornier Do-19 and Junkers Ju-89 were tested, but later cancelled in favor of twin-engine bombers.
The He-177 was contracted to be built as a four-engine heavy bomber despite the cancellation of the Euro bomber project.
The Ju-86 bomber, initially used as a civilian airliner, was phased out and repurposed as a training and emergency transport aircraft.
The Dornier Do-17, dubbed 'flying pencil', was developed as a bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, playing a significant role in the Spanish Civil War.
The Heinkel He-111 was a scaled-up version of the He-70 and became the defining image of the Luftwaffe bomber at war.
The Ju-88 emerged as the most versatile aircraft of the Luftwaffe, serving in numerous roles during WWII.
The Luftwaffe's bombing strategy during the invasion of Poland focused on destroying enemy airfields to secure a rapid victory.
During the invasion of France, the Luftwaffe employed a similar strategy, targeting airfields and later supporting ground operations.
The Battle of Britain saw the Luftwaffe's bomber arm suffer significant losses, with 719 bombers and 400 crews lost between August and September 1940.
Photo reconnaissance played a crucial role in providing up-to-date intelligence for bombing raids, with aircraft like the Ju-88 being highly valued.
The Luftwaffe's bombing of Coventry on November 14, 1940, was its most devastating raid on a UK target, killing 500 people and destroying 60,000 buildings.
The Fw 200 Condor aircraft were used in anti-shipping roles, achieving significant success against British convoys in the early stages of the war.
Despite initial success, the Condors faced increasing challenges from British countermeasures, including anti-aircraft guns and fighter aircraft.
The Luftwaffe's bomber arm was significantly reduced in strength by the time of the invasion of Russia in June 1941, with production failing to replace losses.
During Operation Barbarossa, the Luftwaffe achieved air supremacy over the northern and central sectors and air superiority in the south, but faced increasing challenges as the campaign progressed.
The Soviet counter-offensive in front of Moscow during the winter of 1941-42 nearly led to the destruction of the German forces, highlighting the Luftwaffe's diminishing capabilities.
Transcripts
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