Penetrating German airspace pre-war 1939

[Broncazonk]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

Intercepting such a flight if it was detected would be very hard for the Luftwaffe for sure.

But on the other hand, it would be very difficult for the RAF crew to find the location to drop their parachutists.

Any drop would have done at low altitude, and so could be seen and reported, and even possibly fired, from the ground.

Also the RAF had no base in France before September 1939, so such an operation will require secrecy from both the French and the British.

Last, I am not sure that using parachute to drop agents in foreign countries was planned in 1939. Inserting agents in Bohemia would probably be easier by land from Poland or Romania.

British para were not formed before 1940 and the RAF had no aircraft allowing to drop parachutists easily until late 1940 (modified Whitleys).

On the other hand, the first French parachutist unit was created in 1937, with people formed in Soviet Union. They were using Potez 65 and 540, and would have the range to reach Bohemia from France.

A very good, very informative post.