| Sturzkampfflugzeug (“dive bomber”) Junkers Ju-87 “Stuka” of 5.Staffel of an unknown Gruppe from Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 “Immelmann.” The censor has partially removed the unit markings. The unit was formed at Flugplatz Köln-Ostheim on October 15, 1939, under Geschwaderkommodore (“Wing Commander”) Oskar Dinort (June 23, 1901 – May 27, 1965). The unit had 38 Stukas operational during the Polish Campaign. Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 fought in France and the Low Countries in May-June 1940 at Eben-Emael, Sedan, Montcornet, Dunkirk, Calais, and Boulougne. The unit lost 15 aircraft. In the Battle of Britain, Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 sank British ships in the English Channel in June and July, before losing 22 aircraft on August 18, 1940. Total Ju-87 losses from July 3 – December 24, 1940, amounted to 101 destroyed, 84 damaged to all causes. Moving to attack Malta convoys, damage from Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 caused the Royal Navy to scuttle HMS Southhampton on January 18, 1941. The unit supported the invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece. Sturzkampfgeschwader devastated ships rescuing the United Kingdom Royal Army from Crete in May 1941. Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 fought on the Eastern Front from the start of Operation Barbarossa on June 22, 1941. It fought at the Battle of Moscow, Stalingrad, the Crimea, Kuban and Kursk. The unit was disbanded and renamed as of October 18, 1943. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0761.jpg |
| Image Size | 292.77 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2000 x 1372 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | Luftwaffe Kriegberichter |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | May 26, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | Australian War Memorial |
| Record Number | P02018.004 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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