Ju-87 Kuban Campaign

[Thad]

During the Kuban Campaign, the Luftwaffe made a concerted effort to improve its low-level anti-tank capabilities. In particular, the Luftwaffe experimented with arming both the Ju-87 Stuka and the Hs-129B-3 with the 3.7cm Flak gun.

 

Hauptmann Hans-Ulrich Rudel was provided with a few prototypes of the Ju-87G and sent to the Kuban to test the new weapon against Soviet armor. The Ju-87G’s two 3.7cm cannons, each with a six-round magazine, fired APCR rounds with tungsten carbide penetrators. The APCR rounds had a muzzle velocity of 1,170 m/sec and could penetrate up to 38mm of armor; the T-34’s rear deck armor was limited to only 16–20mm of protection. Although Rudel was shot down by anti-aircraft on his first combat sortie in the Ju-87G, he quickly became a staunch advocate of the new method of destroying Soviet T-34s.67 Based on his endorsement, limited production of the Ju-87G began in June 1943 and a small number would be available for Operation Zitadelle.

 

Excerpt: Forczyk, Robert. Tank Warfare on the Eastern Front 1943-1945: Red Steamroller

 

Perhaps a seed for the creation of a Ju-87 campaign. ?

[Juri_JS]

The problem is, that the cannon armed Ju-87Gs flew almost no missions against tanks in the Kuban region. According to the StG 2 war diary nearly all missions were against boats and barges in the lagoons northeast of Temryuk. We don't have these kind of small vessels in the game, so a historical campaign for the StG 2 anti-tank Staffel on the Kuban map will be impossible.

[Thad]

Never say, impossible. ?

[NETSCAPE]

I would love nothing more than to blow up little ships with a Stuka. We need more targets like that, some could work on the Volga too.

[Thad]

Hans Rudel was credited and awarded for sinking the Russian battleship Mara, two cruisers and a destroyer in his Ju-87s. ?

[Juri_JS]

Small ships are definitely needed in the game. At the moment we can't show any of the Soviet landing operations (Myshkako, Novorossiysk, Taman Peninsula or Kerch-Eltigen) in our missions, because there are no suitable ships.  For the German side especially R-boats are missing, that played an important role in the Black Sea.

 

If I remember correctly, there were some 3rd party ships in RoF build by community members. I wonder whether this could be done in BoX too.

[LukeFF]

13 hours ago, Thad said:

In particular, the Luftwaffe experimented with arming both the Ju-87 Stuka and the Hs-129B-3 with the 3.7cm Flak gun.

 

Only 2 Hs 129 B-2s were ever armed with a 3.7 cm cannon, and the experiment was a total failure. It was the 7.5 cm PaK that was fitted to the B-3.

[NETSCAPE]

Thad, give me dates, frontline data and what units/AF's are used with what aircraft and I might consider it. That information is how I rule out or rule in possible scenarios. I'm actually currently coming up with idea's for historically accurate multiplayer scenarios for a change... too frustrated with AI to work on singleplayer atm. It would be nice to utilize our makeshift Ju 87G!!!

[LukeFF]

23 minutes ago, NETSCAPE said:

Thad, give me dates, frontline data and what units/AF's are used with what aircraft and I might consider it. That information is how I rule out or rule in possible scenarios. I'm actually currently coming up with idea's for historically accurate multiplayer scenarios for a change... too frustrated with AI to work on singleplayer atm. It would be nice to utilize our makeshift Ju 87G!!!

 

Any of the StG 2 units would work, but III. Gruppe would probably be best. They were at Kerch IV from April - 1st of May 1943 and then again at Kerch from May 9th to some time in June.

[NETSCAPE]

I'm literally compiling a list of units right now in a scenario ranging from apr-may. The career mode is a good overview guide, but sometimes bomber units  are not stationed correctly (because it would be off map for example) - so I have to check. I'll probably make a separate thread asking my lists to have a good check over my the experts. Also, finding this information for the luftwaffe is pretty easy. The VVS I will need some help with, specifically the pe-2 and A-20 stuff. I have a pretty good idea on what loadouts are appropriate for LW, but again I am lacking in knowledge with the details of the VVS within a given time frame (due to the massive weapon options for IL-2, Pe-2 specifically)... sorry thad didn't mean to high-jack your post. 

[NETSCAPE]

In my scenario of course Stuka's will have normal bombing loadouts. Maybe I'll include 1 Stuka with the 3.7 cannons and call it "Hans-Ulrich Rudel" - special for Thad. lol.