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Long-Range bombers over the Atlantic - A report of the bomber squadron Condor’s operations
This is a 1942 training film about the use of FW 200 Condor as long-range bombers in the battle of the Atlantic.
The U-Books were not used exclusively as offensive weapons. In this graphic representation of an engagement, a U Boot has come into contact with a convoy of about 30 ships. But in this instance, rather than attack itself, they radios back to base the convoy’s location, once again using the coordinate system. The information was passed on to the long-range bomber formations based in Bordeaux, France. At this point the U Boot turns away and leaves the convoy undiscovered.
The targets of these modern long range bombers are ships around 1500 KM West of Irland. It usually takes 7 or 8 hours of flying to reach the target area and therefor it is necessary to carry huge amounts of fuel.
The day before the scheduled night operation the commander of the unit receives his final instructions.
The FW 200 Condor was capable of carrying a bomb-load of 1000 KG.
The plane had a crew of five and when used as a transport could carry 30 fully armed troops. It had a length of 23.45 m, a wingspan of 32.85 m and a height of 6.3 m.
It had an empty weight of 17,005 kg and a maximum takeoff weight of 22,714 kg. The plane had a range of 3,000 kilometers.
In addition to being used as a long-range bomber and transport, the FW 200 also saw duty transporting VIPs including Hitler and Himmler.
As early as October 1939 Admiral Raeder was informing Hitler of the need to have naval and air forces working together to reconnoiter and attack enemy naval forces. During operation Weserübung with the invasion of Denmark and Norway it became evident that even a limited force could cause considerable damage.
France was defeated in June of 1940 and the Germans were able to move both their U Boots and bomber formations to within much easier striking distance of the vital transport routs. Finally on January 6th of 1941 KG 40, Kampfgeschwader 40, was officially assigned to this task
Although effective, especially in the early years of the war, KG 40 had some problems. First of all there were never very many bombers on hand which meant that often when convoys were located, having sufficient numbers to attack effectively could not be guaranteed.
Also, the FW 200 was fitted with relatively antiquated targeting sights which meant that low level bombing runs were necessary. It also required relatively clear weather conditions to be successful.
The bombers engines were also underpowered which meant that should one or more of its 4 engines cut out, the result could easily be fatal.
Finally the convoy is spotted. The clouds of smoke coming from their smokestacks in unmistakable. The planes have arrived.
In the first wave there are three FW 200 long-range bombers which are able to surprise the convoy by attacking out of the sun and manage to sink two ships. In the second wave, there are again three bombers but this time there is a corvette which is able o disrupt the attack. The bombers are still able to sink one ship.
At this point in the engagement the convoy splits in half. The larger group is situated farther to the West and the smaller group to the East.
With the third attack which takes place one day and fourteen hours after the initial engagement one ship is sunk and two more are badly damaged. The group farther to the West is not engaged.
All stations prepare for the attack. All onboard weapons should be ready for action. The bomb-bay doors are opened.
After completing their bombing run the Condors come around again to get a closer look at the damage they have caused, then they leave the enemy.
This pamphlet about the U Boot was produced in 1940. It gives basic information and has a nice diagram which shows all the compartments and parts of the U Boot. It’s called - What everyone should know about the German U Boot. It gives a short history and has 39 pages.
PRESENTED HERE
Long Range Bomber over the Atlantic (complete version)
[ Ссылка ]
What Everyone should know about the German U Boot
[ Ссылка ]
