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Junkers Ju 52

First Flight: Oct 1930
JU52/3m: May. 1932
Total Built: 4, 845

The JU 52 was originally a civil airliner with two engines. Once a third engine was added the plane had impressed the Luftwaffe with its robustness, its patented double wing flaps, and its exceptional STOL capabilities. It was easy to identify because of its non-retracting landing gear and its large wingspan. Other features that endeared it to its users/occupants were the fact that it was an extremely reliable plane as well as one that could be used nearly anywhere even on comparatively small, low quality landing strips in remote or dangerous areas.

The JU 52 was be used as a troop transport (17 fully equipped troops), a supply carrier, a staff transport, a casualty evacuator, and as an Ad-Hoc bomber. When used in the supply role, a JU 52 3m could carry a large amount of supplies. One plane could load 1500kg, inside the plane, and up to 4 drop containers which could load a plethora of items. These containers could load 100 litres of fuel or 250kg of ammunitions. These ammunitions could be 500 rounds for a 2cm gun, 150 3.7mm PAK rounds, 20 7.5mm rounds, or 55 8mm mortars to name a few of the possibilities.

The JU 52 was used everywhere that German troops needed support, or needed transport to or from. It was most notably used when pockets of German troops needed support. In this role, with little air cover, and no real defensive fire of its own, the JU 52s had a rather high loss rate.

Overall, no plane helped the German army quite as much as the JU 52 did.