“Case Studies in the Development of Close Air Support”, edited by Benjamin Franklin Cooling and published by the Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force. https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/24/2001330067/-1/-1/0/AFD-100924-035.pdf
“The Evolution of Integrated Close Air Support: World War II, Korea and the Future of Air-Ground Combined Arms Synergy”, by Major Patrick Coffey Gallogly, U.S. Marine Corps, dated June 2011. https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/1019694.pdf
Interview with Stuka pilot, Dr. Migeod, who flew with Hans Ulrich Rudel. Rudel writes about being introduced to his squadron commander and being told he will ever fly with the squadron because he is not a qualified pilot. Migeod describes the meeting in this clip. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKrojpsV5t4)
Color film of Hans Ulrich Rudel taken at the conclusion of the war. This footage was taken by the Americans during their 3-5 day interrogation of Rudel in England in June 1945. Rudel describes the meetings as a conversation on, “general aviation topics because the Americans do not want to learn the lessons of flying inferior aircraft”. The video shows Rudel’s left leg was severed below the knee as result of his being wounded February 9, 1945. He was back flying again at the end of March 1945. Also notice Rudel made it a point to surrender in dress uniform wearing his decorations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMCMzejE9l4
Short clip of Rudel using a cannon firing Stuka Ju-87G attacking Soviet boats on a river. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMHTzzySe84
Short clip a cannon firing Stuka Ju-87G engaging Soviet Tanks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccOXrfBZoLE
Footage of US F4U Corsairs providing close air support on Palau 1944. Notice how they don’t even raise their landing gear because their targets are so close to the field they are operating from. This is a case of using the German Shuttle Attack technique. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqr25m-d5oA
Recent footage from U.S. A-10s providing close air support. Notice how much of the radio traffic is spent describing where enemy and friendly forces are relative to each other on the ground. Also notice how much time they spend talking about what they see and want to have happen. Specifically, “West of smoke”; “Gun run north to south”; “Roger, I see you”; “I see the smoke”; “same spot…look for me”; “OK one, I need it on the west hill side.”; “I have you visual”; “Copy, give me more smoke.” https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bX2YHkBwQ8__;!!May37g!cfVwghw5RjeXRNX8VUBYL--FzKVSWMU-UvNJZ4J2eoMCmbYKf9lflaKejbD7Nu5fAg$
Pictures of a Ju-87. The variant without underwing cannons is the Ju-87D. It has a more powerful engine and heavier bombload than the original design. The variant with underwing cannons is the Ju-87G. This is the version Rudel used with great success in the anti-tank role. It was somewhat of an improvised design born out of necessity. The Germans were faced with more and more Soviet tanks but couldn’t get their purpose built ground attack aircraft, the Henschel Hs 129, performing as needed and built in sufficient numbers. So they took the Ju-87 and added cannons. The two 37mm cannons were loaded with six rounds each as shown in the last picture. The idea of a turning an aircraft into a cannon platform for ground attack influenced the U.S.’ development of the A-10.
