ralphwiggum
Airman
- 76
- Mar 15, 2008
Did the Luftwaffe ever have a bomber capable of hitting Soviet Factories behind the Ural Mountains? Did they try to at any time?
Ural Bomber
- Thread starter ralphwiggum
- Start date
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
I'm sure they had several, like the Ju 390 that could have done it if they were serious about it. After General Wever died it was kind of dropped in favor of dive-bombers. By the time they were serious about it, the Russians had pushed them back from airfields that would have made a difference. I believe late in the war, like Dec 44 - Feb 45 they were planning on Mistel combinations to go after power plants and the like, only, again, to be pushed further back so it became a non-issue.
kool kitty89
Senior Master Sergeant
Dive bombers and tactical light and medium bombers (Ju 86, Do 17, He 111, Ju 88 ) Though the He 111 and (to a lesser extent) Ju 88 could perform fairly long range missions, possibly in a strategic campaign. (though they weren't the best choice)
There were several other possible aircraft that could have been made into long range heavy bombers, namely the Ju 290. (developed form the Ju 90, which in turn was a development of the earlier Ju 89 actually part of the original "Ural Bomber" program)
And there was the He 177, but it came a bit late and was, of course troubled. (though the adoption of the DB 610's with inproved cowlings greatly improved the engine problems)
And I think the Do 217 wouldn't have enough range.
The only one close, that was actually in service as a bomber, with enough range, and in the right timeframe would be the Fw 200. Though it too was less than ideal with a rather modest bombload with a fairly low top speed and range.
Not to mention there was no way to escort them.
However, blitzkreig tactics could have worked quire well against Russia had things progressed differently and timing been better.
In particular (and somthing I've mentioned before) if Germany had turned to the East in (spring/summer) 1940 and postponed further conflict with Britain and the US for as long as possible.
The Soviets may have still have been able to retreat to the Urals in considerable force, but they'd have much less of a chance to dismantle/"pack up" their industry or destroy reasourses/industry before being overrun.
And in such a situation, the German bombers would have been able to reach the Urals from the captured Western portion of Russia.
There were several other possible aircraft that could have been made into long range heavy bombers, namely the Ju 290. (developed form the Ju 90, which in turn was a development of the earlier Ju 89 actually part of the original "Ural Bomber" program)
And there was the He 177, but it came a bit late and was, of course troubled. (though the adoption of the DB 610's with inproved cowlings greatly improved the engine problems)
And I think the Do 217 wouldn't have enough range.
The only one close, that was actually in service as a bomber, with enough range, and in the right timeframe would be the Fw 200. Though it too was less than ideal with a rather modest bombload with a fairly low top speed and range.
Not to mention there was no way to escort them.
However, blitzkreig tactics could have worked quire well against Russia had things progressed differently and timing been better.
In particular (and somthing I've mentioned before) if Germany had turned to the East in (spring/summer) 1940 and postponed further conflict with Britain and the US for as long as possible.
The Soviets may have still have been able to retreat to the Urals in considerable force, but they'd have much less of a chance to dismantle/"pack up" their industry or destroy reasourses/industry before being overrun.
And in such a situation, the German bombers would have been able to reach the Urals from the captured Western portion of Russia.
