Attack procedures of dive bombers on naval targets: Operational experience of III./St.G.1. against England and in the Mediterranean Sea ‘"Experience in air combat had shown in many cases that the Ju 87 could outmanoeuvre up to five simultaneously attacking Spitfires…" #WW2 #History #BattleofBritain #Malta #Luftwaffe
Wicher was in fact sunk by Oberfeldwebel Lion, I have my accounts mixed up. As mentioned, need to look it up. Wasn't of any importance for this article. One sunk 'in Boulogne harbour' according to his autobiography. The rest will follow (just for you).
Thanks Rob - interesting, Wicher was sunk in harbour by (apparently) 4 bombs, 3 direct hits and one adjacent to her hull which will have caused significant underwater damage. Occurred on 3rd September at Hel.
If accurate information (I know, always an issue) then I reckon Herr Mahlke had a 25% claim 😉😀
Brilliant article, very interesting to read of all the mathematics involved in the missions. Thanks Rob.
Part 2 is even better! Thanks Nigel!
Had to take my time reading this, to take it all in. Interesting!
Have the names of the 2 destroyers and the submarine claimed by Mahlke been identified?
Yes. At least one was Polish ('Wicher') sunk on 1 or 3 September 39. Submarine too.
Need to look it up
It seems that Mahlke wasn’t involved in the attack on Wicher......his staffel, 2.(St) / 186 (T) wasn’t operational during the Polish campaign.
Wicher was sunk in an attack by Hauptmann Blattner’s staffel, 3.(St) / 186 (T)
Hopefully, when I read more of Mahlke’s memoir, more will be revealed 😀
Wicher was in fact sunk by Oberfeldwebel Lion, I have my accounts mixed up. As mentioned, need to look it up. Wasn't of any importance for this article. One sunk 'in Boulogne harbour' according to his autobiography. The rest will follow (just for you).
Thanks Rob - interesting, Wicher was sunk in harbour by (apparently) 4 bombs, 3 direct hits and one adjacent to her hull which will have caused significant underwater damage. Occurred on 3rd September at Hel.
If accurate information (I know, always an issue) then I reckon Herr Mahlke had a 25% claim 😉😀