Ju 87D/G STUKA versus T-34: Eastern Front 1942-45

The German air ministry developed the Junkers Ju 87D-5 Stuka dive-bomber in late 1942 to strike back at Soviet tanks. It was fitted with two underwing pods containing 37 mm BK cannons, allowing it to destroy more than 100 tanks across the Eastern Front. This book covers the epic clash of two legendary machines of World War II, including personal accounts from Stuka pilots and biographies of anti-tank aces.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The German air ministry authorized the development of an adaptation and enhancement of the long-span Junkers Ju 87D-5 Stuka dive-bomber in late 1942, as part of its efforts to counter the growing numbers of Soviet tanks. The aircraft was equipped with two underwing pods housing 37 mm BK cannons, an antiaircraft cannon with its origins dating back to 1933. The sturdy, slow Ju 87 airframe provided the Luftwaffe with an ideal platform for specialized, low-level "tank-killing operations." Despite the wealth of experience possessed by some of the Luftwaffe's ground-attack and dive-bomber aces, knocking out T-34 tanks from the air was a challenging and demanding task. Nevertheless, some Luftwaffe pilots achieved impressive tank scores, and the Ju 87 is credited with destroying over 100 tanks across the central and southern sectors of the Eastern Front, including during the Battle of Kursk.

This book encompasses the epic clash of two legendary machines of World War II, featuring personal accounts from Stuka pilots and biographies of anti-tank aces, along with detailed photographs of the cannon installation into the Ju 87G and details of the construction of the T-34 illustrated using specially commissioned artwork.

Weight: 262g
Dimension: 250 x 185 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472854759