THE JUNKERS JU 52 DISAPPEARED. NOW, THE MYSTERY HAS BEEN SOLVED
World War II saw many different designs of militaristic vehicles employed for combat usage. From the Sherman tank to the Soviet T-34, World War II was known for implementing these iconic combat vehicles. One such iconic vehicle was the Junkers Ju 52. It was a transport aircraft designed by the Junkers aviation company in the 1930s. It was known for its versatility and ability to adapt to whatever need required of it. Join us as we take a closer look at this historical piece of machinery.
Understanding the Ju 52 Junkers
Originally designed for commercial airline use, the Junkers Ju 52 was repurposed for military use by the Nazis for the duration of World War II. It functioned in a multitude of roles during the war, not being pigeonholed into a singular niche during its usage.Similar to its original purpose as a commercial airliner, the Ju 52 Junkers were used for transport during the war. The updated model of the Junkers Ju 52, dubbed the Junkers Ju 52 3m Tante Ju, was able to hold as many as 17 passengers. It also held a whopping 3 tons of freight. On top of its carrying capacity, the Junkers Ju 52 3m Tante Ju was also quite large, measuring at a wingspan of 95ft and a body length of 60ft. This same vessel was also used for bombing runs during the second World War. Two bombs would usually be fitted into the Junkers Ju 52, holding up to a combined weight of 1,300 kg of explosive weaponry. Due to its slow speed and difficulty with tight maneuvers however, the Junkers Ju 52 3m Tante Ju’s role as a bomber plane was brought to a swift end by the German military. Its role as a supply carrier was still heavily used throughout WWII. This is what the aircraft is mostly known for still today.
The Junkers Ju 52’s Importance in World War II
During the Invasion of Poland in September of 1939, the Germans used the Junkers Ju 52 to carry roughly 1,600 tons of supplies and 20,000 troops to help in the development of staging areas. The ability to carry so much all at one time gave the Germans an edge when it came to their troop positioning during the second World War. Similarly, during the attack on Norway by the Germans in 1940, the Junkers carried multitudes of paratroopers. This was in the effort to secure various types of important infrastructure.Going forward from their use by Germany in World War II, 30 different countries have flown the Junkers Ju 52. They have since been retired from any use whatsoever, now serving as a relic from the past.
Divers Find Remains of the WWII Plane, Solving Mystery
What happened to the Junkers Ju 52 after WWII was a mystery. That was until the case was solved more than 8 decades later. The Junker was initially shot down over the Baltic Sea by Soviet bombers in 1940. Ultimately, all nine people on the plane lost their lives. This included the two-member Finnish crew, and seven passengers. Now, a diving team in Estonia found the plane’s remains this week near the island of Keri. This discovery has led to the solving of a decades-long mystery.For years, Finland was silent about the details of the plane’s disappearance, only reporting that a “mysterious crash” had taken place. Now that the remains of the plane have finally been located. A chapter in the mystery has come to a close.The Junkers Ju 52s have become iconic due to their service in World War II, and their versatility that lent itself to usage from numerous other countries. However, the role in which these aircraft were used serve as an unfortunate reminder of what the world endured from the years of 1939 to 1945. During this time, many lives were lost.While they may be a fascinating piece of our history, let’s also remember them for what they were: tools used to further a wicked agenda. The Junkers Ju 52s have gone down in history as a versatile piece of aircraft. They are also a vivid reminder of the cost of war. Read next:
