Il-2 Shturmovik Guards Units of World War 2 (Combat Aircraft)

Over 43,000 Il-2/10s were built between 1941 and 1955, more than any other combat aircraft in history, making this one of the most important Soviet aircraft deployed in World War 2. Built originally as a two-seater, the Il-2 had lost the rear gunner's position by the time the aircraft started to reach frontline units. Armed with ground-attack rockets, the aircraft proved deadly against Wehrmacht panzers as pairs of Il-2s roamed the frontline at low level. However, the Shturmoviks (armored attackers) were vulnerable to attack from the rear by enemy fighters, so Ilyushin reverted to the two-seat layout in September 1942. Oleg Rastrenin provides a fascinating account of the complex development history of a plane that was crucial to Russia's defense. From Stalingrad to Kursk to Berlin, this book charts the airplane's vital contribution to the most famous battles of the Eastern front. "The Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik is justly considered to be the best attack aircraft of World War 2, featuring unrivalled capabilities in the demanding role of tank destroyer. Its closest rival was the German Henschel Hs 129 armoured attack aircraft, which was inferior to the Il-2 in many of its flight characteristics. Additionally, just 879 Hs 129s were manufactured, compared with 36,154 Il-2s. In 1942 the Shturmovik became the most widespread aircraft in service with the Red Army Air Force, accounting for roughly 30 per cent of its active combat aircraft fleet. Most Il-2s served with attack aircraft divisions, with elite regiments in these divisions being awarded Guards status following their outstanding exploits in combat. This volume chronicles the hard-fought battles between these elite units and the German Wehrmacht that took place during The Great Patriotic War. Written by a leading Russian aviation historian and illustrated with specially commissioned profile artwork and photographs sourced from official archives, this volume is an important addition to the Osprey Combat Aircraft series." --Back cover COVER......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 7 INTRODUCTION......Page 8 Development of the Il-2......Page 9 STRIKE FORCE DEVELOPMENT......Page 11 New Combat Tactics......Page 14 Improved Organisational Structure......Page 16 Crowded Airspace......Page 19 BIRTH OF A LEGEND......Page 21 Strike near Lake Zhizhitsa......Page 24 Operation Typhoon......Page 28 STALINGRAD......Page 31 More enemy Advances......Page 34 Soviet Forces Retreat......Page 45 Counter-Offensive......Page 49 Attacking Transport Aircraft......Page 50 THE TIDE TURNS......Page 53 Transport Targets......Page 56 Bridge-Busting......Page 60 PTAB Destruction......Page 65 On the Offensive......Page 68 THE FINAL STAGES......Page 70 Major Offensive......Page 73 More Successes......Page 76 Action in the Ukraine......Page 80 Il-2 Photo-Flights......Page 81 Guards Attack Aircraft Units......Page 87 Colour Plates......Page 36 Scale Drawings......Page 88 Colour Plates Commentary......Page 94 INDEX......Page 98 COVER......Page 100

Over 43,000 Il-2/10s were built between 1941 and 1955, more than any other combat aircraft in history, making this one of the most important Soviet aircraft deployed in World War II (1939-1945). Built originally as a two-seater, the Il-2 had lost the rear gunner's position by the time the aircraft started to reach frontline units. Armed with ground-attack rockets, the aircraft proved deadly against Wehrmacht panzers as pairs of Il-2s roamed the frontline at low level. However, the Shturmoviks (armored attackers) were vulnerable to attack from the rear by enemy fighters, so Ilyushin reverted to the two-seat layout in September 1942. Oleg Rastrenin provides a fascinating account of the complex development history of a plane that was crucial to Russia's defense. From Stalingrad to Kursk to Berlin, this book charts the airplane's vital contribution to the most famous battles of the Eastern front.

Over 43,000 Il-2/10s were built between 1941 and 1955, more than any other combat aircraft in history, making this one of the most important Soviet aircraft deployed in World War II. Built originally as a two-seater, the Il-2 had lost the rear gunner's position by the time it started to reach frontline units. Armed with ground-attack rockets, the aircraft proved deadly against Wehrmacht panzers as pairs of Il-2s roamed the frontline at low level. However, the Shturmoviks (armoured attackers) were vulnerable to attack from the rear by enemy fighters, so Ilyushin reverted to the two-seat layout in September 1942. Oleg Rastrenin provides a fascinating account of the complex development history of a plane that was crucial to Russia's defence. From Stalingrad to Kursk to Berlin, this book charts the aeroplane's vital contribution to the most famous battles of the Eastern front. Beretter om de enheder i det sovjetiske flyvevåben, som under 2. verdenskrig benyttede jagerbombe- og nærstøtteflyet Il-2 Shturmovik