Junkers Ju 87 Stuka: The Dive Bomber That Terrorized Europe

The German dive bomber, Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, took to the skies for the first time in 1935, characterized by its inverted gull wings and fixed landing gear. Initially, two prototypes equipped with British engines, dive brakes, and sirens were developed. The Stuka was selected by the Luftwaffe in 1937, making its combat introduction on September 1, 1939, amidst the Polish invasion. It performed effectively in Poland and during the French invasion in June 1940, utilizing its sirens for psychological warfare. However, its slow speed rendered it vulnerable during the Battle of Britain, resulting in the withdrawal of Stuka units. It later served in the Mediterranean and over the Soviet Union during Operation Barbarossa, with production ending in August 1944 after approximately 6,000 units were manufactured.