StG.5 1942

[edwest2]

A bit of information that may help.


https://www.asisbiz.com/Luftwaffe/stg2.html




Ed

[PMoz99]

Stig, my initial info came from Wiki - yes I know it's not that reliable but it was the quickest source I could find. I've seen other online sources quote similar figures - B-2 range 500km with the R-2 adding 360km with the additional tanks. It's possible the various sites may have info from the same source, as sometimes happens, and if it is in error then it's just being compounded.
The Squadron/Signal Ju-87 in action publication quotes the same figures as you have for the R-1 and R-2.
Achievable range would generally depend on the load, cruising speed, and height, and in individual cases prevailing winds.
I haven't heard of the rule-of-thumb adjustment you mention, but I don't profess to be an expert on Ju-87s. I guess in the end it would all depend on the bomb load carried.
Cheers
Peter

[Matti Salonen]

On May 30, 1942 the 16 Ju 87 (one returned due to a defective sighting device) started from Kirkenes at 06.35 and landed 09.35. 15 SC 500 were dropped. Then again from Kirkenes 17 Ju 87 (one returned due to engine problems) started at 11.50 and landed 13.30. 16 SC 500 and 20 SC 50 were dropped. At that time the convoy was 20 km NW Kildin.

Matti

[PMoz99]

Hello Matti.
Does your information indicate, or do you think, the Ju-87s temporarily relocated to Kirkenes from Alakurtti for the purpose of attacking the convoy?
Peter

[Laurent Rizzotti]

A short comment on Seaplanes post: 30 May 1942 was the day PQ 16 arrived in Murmansk (or at least the part of the convoy that was supposed to arrive there, and not more east), so the Ju 87 raids should have been near Murmansk. I doubt Stukas will be used against a convoy at sea at extreme range.

This is from the Osprey book "Artic Bf 109 and Bf 110 Aces" by Jogn Weal, page 45:
"The following afternoon, 30 May, 19 merchantmen of convoy PQ 16 passed Kildin Island at the entrance to the Kola Inlet on the last leg of their voyage to Murmansk. It was at this point that JG 5 entered the fray by escorting Stuka strikes on the Allied ships as they made their way south along the inlet towards their final destination."

According to the book, JG 5 pilots flew at least two Stuka escort missions against Murmansk on 31 May, 1 and 2 June before a ten day pause due to bad weather.

[Richard Aigner]

"War at Sea: A Naval Atlas 1939 - 1945", Marcus Faulkner, p. 120 and 121 has maps for convoy PQ 15 and PQ 16 respectively.
PQ 15: unsuccessful airstrike at 22:30 on May 3., about 330km from Kirkenes, type of ac not specified
PQ 16: a number of airstrikes on May 27, totaling 100 sorties, no type given. Distance Banak to places where ships were sunk on May 27 ca. 400 - 480km. Attacks on May 29 close to port were not successful; distance Petsamo to point of attack 150 - 250km.
Distances measured from centre of airfield icon to convoy route where airstrike is indicated.
HTH, Richard

[Stig Jarlevik]

Peter

I./StG 5 was more or less either constantly on the move or had their staffeln spread out all over northern Finland and Norway. You can say they were the fire brigade of the Wehrmacht. However they were never enough and never really able to turn out any 'fires' what so ever.

Richard

Very interesting details which seems to confirm my suspicions. The British convoys learned to stay out of range as much as possible. Perhaps it is correct to say that the early 1942 convoys could be reached by the Stukas while the latter could not? Most of the Stuka shipping attacks were made against the ships when they moved into the inlets and harbours in the Murmansk area.

Cheers
Stig

[PMoz99]

Thanks Stig. It was my understanding that most, if not all, of the Ju-87 attacks were near Murmansk.
Interesting to know the mobility of StG5. I didn't realise they moved around so much.
Peter

[Seaplanes]

Here is a map of all aerial attacks on P.Q.16 and it is evident that both I./St.G.5 attacks were made close to the Murmansk inlet. It is also correct as Matti mention, that one aircraft abortet in each of the two attacks.
I hope that map comes through in readable condition.

[Brian]

Wow! Thanks, Seaplanes.

That's excellent - except that I can't clarify detail!

Has anyone the patience and ability to list details of each attack?

That would be really helpful.

Cheers
Brian