Junkers Ju 87B-1

Country of origin: Germany

Type: Two-seat Dive Bomber

Powerplant: One 1,200 hp (at take-off) Junkers Jumo 211Da 12-cylinder liquid cooled inline. (1,100 hp at 4,920 ft)

Dimensions
Length: 36 ft 5 in (11.1 m)
Height: 13 ft 2 in
Wingspan: 45 ft 3.3 in (13.8 m)
Wing area: 343.368 sq ft

Weights
Empty: 5,980 lb
Empty equipped: 6,090 lb
Maximum loaded : 9,560 lb

Performance
Max Speed at sea level: 211 mph
Max Speed at 13,410 ft : 238 mph
Maximum Cruising speed : 209 mph at 12,140 ft
Economic Cruising speed : 175 mph at 15,090 ft
Service ceiling: 26,250 ft (8,000 m)
Maximum Range (unloaded): 490 miles
Maximum Range with 1,102 lb bomb : 370 miles
Time to 3,280 ft : 2 min
Time to 6,560 ft : 4.3 min
Time to 12,190 ft : 12 min

Armament:
Two fixed forward-firing 7.9 mm MG17 machine guns
One flexible 7.9 mm MG15 in rear cockpit
Bombload : One 1,102-lb (500 kg) bomb; or One 551-lb (250 kg) bomb and four 110-lb (50 kg) bombs underwing

On the first of September 1939 Ju87B-1s carried out the first combat mission of the Second World War. Just eleven minutes after the declaration of war between Germany and Poland, three Ju87B-1s took off to attack the Dirschau Bridge.

For the campaign in Poland the Luftwaffe employed all nine of its Ju87 Gruppen-A total of 319 dive bombers.

Just eleven minutes after the declaration of war between Germany and Poland, three Ju87B-1s took off to attack the Dirschau Bridge.

This, the first bombing raid of the war, was conducted by 3/St. G.1 (St.G is an abbreviation of Stukageschwader Gruppe, or Dive-Bomber Group) and led by Captain Bruno Dilley. Their target was Polish defence positions near the Dirschau Bridge which was positioned on the major artery through the Danzig corridor.