Bucker Bü 181 and panzerfausts....

Bü 181 Bestmann - Panzerfaust Kommando Trebbin



These were to be sent into action against ground targets with four Panzerfaust rockets mounted under and above their wings.

http://pub157.ezboard.com/fluftwaffeexperten71774frm25.showMessage?topicID=35.topic

- The Panzerfaust Kommando Trebbin fought against the Red Army on April 21, 1945. All machines were shot down and only one pilot survived.


- The pilots come from Hitlerjugend as a majority and one formed partly by Oberst Adolf Dickefield. And an Oberfeldwebel Buchsteiner was also certainly an instructor.

Other known units were:
•1.TAG Bücker 181 (Tiefangriffsgruppe Bücker 181).
CO was Hptm. Hubert Jennes and the unit was put in service March 1945 in the Wittenberg area. The unit had 10 - 12 a/c.
Activities:
18.04.45 from AF Finow into area Werneuchen/ Müncheberg/ Wriezen
20.04.45 from AF Eberswalde and Neuruppin
22.04.45 moved to AF Perleberg
Retreated afterwards to Parchim, Ludwigslust and Eggebek/ Tarp where the unit surrendered to the Britsh.
•2. Panzerjagdgruppe put in service at Reichenberg, now Liberec in Tshech Republic. Now known activities.
•Unknown Unit in the south of Berlin useing Fi 156.
•3. Panzerjagdstaffel, operated in the south german area of Schongau/ Kaufbeuren fighting ameirican tanks. The welknown Bü181, yellow 10, WNr. 502167, fled to Dübendorf, Switzerland, was from 3. PzJStf.

----------

Much activity also centred on the Magdeburg area, where the former Lufthansa airport Magdeburg-Süd served as a based for flying missions. The small number of planes used there were equipped with four Type-100 antitank grenade launchers, which were attached, one above the other, to both wings. The pilot was able to trigger the launchers by means of a Bowden cable, the wires of which extended through holes in the side of the cabin to the upper and lower parts ofd the wings. Attacks were carried out a low altitude and the pilot took aim by means of a primitive metal rod with cross wires which was attached to the engine cowling in front of the cabin’s windscreen.

---------------

As well:

http://www.vintagegliderclub.org.uk/vgc_news/lastcall.htm

----------

More info anyone? Or maybe Friedrich can help with the French site?

 

So, the Germans took a page out of the US Army's play book. A number of L-4 Grasshopper (aka Piper Cub) pilots rigged 2 to 6 bazookas on their aircraft and went tank hunting. At least on pilot attached to 4th Armored Division became an "ace" having destroyed at least 6 panzers in this manner.

 

That's pretty interesting. I've never heard of that type of "panzer hunting" before but it sounds like it worked.