Henschel Hs-123

Hope this helps a little......


Though representing a class of aircraft generally  considered obsolete by the start of World War II. this trim little biplane was kept hard at work until 1944. achieving results, which in retrospect seem almost unbelievable. The prototype needed extensive modification to produce the A-1 production Version. which was tested in the Spanish Civil War. Contrary to the staff-college theories then adhered to by the newly formed Luftwaffe. the Henschels were able to give close support to ground troops of a most real and immediate kind, strafing and bombing with great accuracy despite the lack of any radio link or even an established system of operation. Eventually the Luftwaffe .realized that the concept of a close-support aircraft was valid. but few Henschel's were allowed to operate in this role. and all the effort and money was put into the Ju-87.

The Hs123's were phased out of production before World War II. Yet, in the Polish campaign these aircraft proved unbelievably useful.. having the ability to make pinpoint attacks with guns and bombs and. by virtue of careful setting of the propeller speed. to make a demoralizing noise. Moreover. it established an extraordinary reputation for returning to base even after direct hits by AA shells.

As a result, though the whole force was incessantly threatened with disbandment or .replacement by later types, the Hs 123 close-support unit II (Schlacht)/LG2 was sent intact to the Balkans in April 1941 and thence to the USSR.

There the old bi-planes fought around the clock. proving far better adapted to the conditions than more modern types and continuing in front-line operations until, by the end of 1 944, there were no more left.


PRIMARY SOURCES:

"Hitler's Luftwaffe: A pictorial history and technical encyclopedia of Hitler's air power in World War II" by Tony Wood and Bill Gunston

Good Hunting.

MR