Arado Ar-196 Bombing Missions
 

Gentlemen,

I knew there were three Ar-196 floatplanes that took from the German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen not only to direct range for the cruiser's big guns on land targets,but also dropped bombs on other ground targets as well. I don't know how many missions did the Ar-196 floatplanes flew for the Prinz Eugen during the bombardments of Soviet land targets during the 1944-1945 period. Were there any other German surface warships that you can think of that launched floatplanes that carried bombs to go against land targets like the Prinz Eugen did?

Sincerely,

Edward L. Hsiao

Re: Arado Ar-196 Bombing Missions
 

Gentlemen,

Anybody know more about bomb carrying German floatplanes that flew missions from German warships?

Edward L. Hsiao

Re: Arado Ar-196 Bombing Missions
 

Regarding the Ar-196, one source indicates it could carry 2x 50 kg (110.231 lb) bombs. I have no information about bombing missions flown with this aircraft.



Regards,
Ed

Re: Arado Ar-196 Bombing Missions
 

Surely the aircraft was just there for spotting or reconnaissance & only carried bombs to attack targets of opportunity. I cannot see the value of such a small bomb load when capital ships had such heavy armament

Re: Arado Ar-196 Bombing Missions
 

Target indicators like smoke would be more usefull

Re: Arado Ar-196 Bombing Missions
 

There was a short-lived German magazine »Aviatik«. Issue no. 4 (second quarter of 1991, ISSN 0938-9962) included an article an article »Die Erlebnisse eines Seefliegers« by Herbert Meyer who flew with 2./Bflgr. 196. The relevant extract (my hasty translation and, no, I'm not going to do the rest):

The last operation took place on 24 March 1945. Russian submarines had been spotted in the Rügenwalde harbour on the Pommeranian coast. Unfortunately there was no longer enough petrol on hand for the Staffel, so only eight Arados could still be fuelled-up. But in any event they had to fly the attack on the Soviets. Since this operation carried too many risks in daylight, that attack was to be flown by night. Take-off ensued in two groups of four machines each. Pilot Fw. Benner's Ar 196 flew in the second group, armed with two 50 kg bombs under the wings. Take-off passed off without hindrance and the seaplanes headed for their target without contacting the enemy.

Already the crews could recognise the town of Rügenwalde from far away and noticed the light of fires from the houses shot up by Soviet troops. Blazes flared in the harbour too and the attacking Arados were fired on by the Soviets. Despite this the Arados dropped their bombs and subsequently tried to vanish quickly. Whether anything was hit could not definitely be seen. Sadly two machines were lost and two more had to make emergency landings owing to fuel shortage or hits. The remaining four aircraft landed unscathed at their base and pilot Max Brenner had to bid is Ar 196 farewell forever.

Re: Arado Ar-196 Bombing Missions
 

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your replies. Nick that last article sounds interesting. It's a shame that no conclusive results could be seen due to the darkness of the night as the result of the bombing mission.

Sincerely,

Edward L. Hsiao

Re: Arado Ar-196 Bombing Missions
 

The website http://www.luftwaffe-zur-see.de/Seel...n/Jahr1945.htm has one Ar 196 of 2. / Bordfl.Gr. 196 shot down by AA fire on 24 March 1945, probably in the bombing mission described above (seems that fuel was scarce, so not much activity).