German helicopters WW2
 

Hi guys

I am not at all au fait with the Luftwaffe's use of helicopters towards the end of the war (Flettner 282?). Were they used operationally? Were there operational losses? I believe the German Navy also used them, but operationally?

Cheers
Brian

Re: German helicopters WW2
 

There was some operational use, specifically supplying mountain troops. And removing arcraft engines from crashed aircraft by carrying them underslung below the fuselage. See the book: Helicopters of the Third Reich by Steve Coates.


Ed

Re: German helicopters WW2
 

Thanks Ed,

I will order a copy of the book.

Cheers
Brian

Re: German helicopters WW2
 

Hi Ed

I haven't been able to locate a copy of Steve Coates' book but have ordered a copy of Heinz Nowarra's 'German Helicopters'. Any good?

Cheers
Brian

Re: German helicopters WW2
 

Dear Brian,

Heinz Nowarra was one of the early pioneers of Luftwaffe books. I have read that some of his material was incorrect, but that can really be said about almost anyone early in the game. AFAIK, he is now deceased. The book by Steve Coates can, in my opinion, be considered to supercede previous publications on German helicopters and you would do well to try to locate a copy.

Regards,
Richard

Re: German helicopters WW2
 

For Steave Coates book
You can order it from Ian Allan
www.ianallanpublishing.com or
www.ianallasuperstore.com

Re: German helicopters WW2
 

Thanks Bardie - just checked it out. Wow! A bit pricey so I will pass on this for the time being.

Thanks all the same

Brian

Re: German helicopters WW2
 

Brian,

Have you had a look at the LEMB:

http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org/fo...p?showforum=16

There's some good information to be had over there,

Chris

Re: German helicopters WW2
 

Thanks Chris - I've just had a look but nothing of interest at the moment.

Cheers
Brian

Re: German helicopters WW2
 

In Albert Speer's Inside the Third Reich, he states that he (Speer) was told by Flettner that Gauleiter Hanke of Breslau (Wroclaw), having conducted a ruthless defence of the besieged city, flew out in a prototype helicopter shortly before it capitulated.

IIRC there have been doubts raised about some aspects of Inside the Third Reich, but this has always struck as an intriguing reference to an early operational use of helicopters. Unfortunately it would seem difficult to check the story out with other references.

Cheers

Boomerang