World War II Database

1.  BILL says:
18 Mar 2009 06:13:20 PM

Flying in formation are Arado Ar 196A's, that could be from 1./SAGr 128 or a second Staffel, 2./SAGr 128 operating from Brest in June 1943, and later from the south of France.

2.  Bill says:
29 Nov 2010 10:57:46 AM

Arado Flugzeugwerke GmbH.

The Company was founded in 1917 designed and
built aircraft. When Hitler came to power in
1933 the Leadership of the Arado firm refused to join the Nazi Party.

As a result the Company was Nationalized and
placed under the direction of Pro-Nazis.
After WWII the Company was liquided.

GmbH.
Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftpflicht
meaning: Limited Liability Company.

3.  Bill says:
19 Oct 2016 04:12:11 PM

FREQUANT FLIERS:

The Luftwaffe provided crews
as the Kriegsmarine did not control maritime air units.
Boardfliegergruppen 196 (BF Gr. 196) was closely integrated with the Kriegsmarine, all pilots stationed aboard ships were controlled, trained and provided by the Luftwaffe.

PAPER WARS: INTER-SERVICE RIVALRY

Each service wanted to have control of its assets in both equipment and personnel, this must have led to tons of paperwork, just to get things moving. Say I'm not an expert however, I know from my military experience, that any military organization can not survive without the necessary channels and the ever present paperwork.

The Kriegsmarine provided all liason between the two services, training and ships that personal were to be stationed on.
Besides seaplane operation,
the Luftwaffe/Kriegsmarine
also operated land-based aircraft.

4.  Bill says:
22 Oct 2016 12:37:38 PM

"MADCHEN FUR ALLES"

File photo shows formation of Ar.196 that could be from 1./SAGr. 128.
For the crews of the Arado Ar.196 it was the "Maid of all work". Did you know that flight crews and mechanics assigned to ships, were part of the Luftwaffe and not the Kreigsmarine (Navy) both crews and aircraft were rotated between ships and land-bases.

ABOARD SHIP:

The Ar.196 was stored in hangars aboard ship, and the wings could be folded back against the fuselage, aircraft were launched by catapult.
Upon landing, the craft were hoisted aboard by crane the only down side, ship had to just about stop dead in the water to complete this operation...
Powered by 1 x BMW 132K 9 cyl-air-cooled radial engine of 960hp.

SELF DEFENSE AND ATTACK:

Armament was improved over its production life, with
1 x fixed 7.92mm starboard side w/1,000 Rds. of ammo that was synchronized to fire through the propeller.
2 x MG FF/B 20mm cannons mounted in the wings w/65 Rds. per gun, gunner had 1 x 7.92mm MG17 rear mounted machine gun w/525 Rds. of ammo, it was later replaced with the 7.92mm MG81Z (twin-mounted) machine gun w/2,000 Rds. of ammo. 2 x 50kg/110lb bombs, (30) flares w/signal pistol, (2) cases of flare hand grenades and survival equipment.
Like most Luftwaffe air crews, they were armed with personal weapons, if so, they were issued semi-automatic pistols of various makes

I thank the editor/ww2db for allowing me to share my knowledge of WWII...

WHAT HAPPENED TO ARADO GMbH: BEFORE WWII & AFTER

Owners of Arado, refused to join the Nazi Party, as a result the Company was Nationalized and placed under the control of pro-Nazis
Besides its own designs, Arado produced license
built versions of Focke-Wulf , Messerschmitt, Heinkel, and Junkers aircraft, assemblies, components and salvage & repair.
During WWII SNCA in occupied France built (23) Ar.196 under license, along with Fokker in Amsterdam that built (69)
After WWII the Company was liquidated & broken up
anything of value was taken
over by the Allies or scrapped.

POST-WAR:

Arado Ar.196 continued to be operated by Bulgaria. Captured aircraft tested, evaluated or operated by Sweden, Norway, UK, USA, USSR.
What does S.N.C.A. Societe Nationale de Constructions Aeronautiques Company that built the Ar.196 in occupied France during WWII...

5.  Bill says:
29 Oct 2016 04:56:50 PM

ARADO Ar.196 vs. BRITISH SUBMARINE: FORTUNES OF WAR:

On May 5, 1940 Ar.196A-3 flown by Lt. Gunther Mehrens of Ku.FIGr.706 spotted the damaged British submarine HMS Seal on the surface.
Lt. Mehrens attacked with cannon and machine gun fire, forcing the crew to surrender.

NONE BUT THE BRAVE:

Lt. Gunther even landed next to the sub, and took its skipper Lt. Cdr. R. Lonsdale a POW, the sub was towed to Frederikshaven. I wonder if Lt. Gunther received an Iron Cross from the Fatherland...