Henschel Hs 123 Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Henschel Hs 123

Henschel Hs 123.
Role	Stuka aircraft
National origin	Nazi Germany
Manufacturer	Henschel.
First flight	1935
Introduction	1938
Status	Retired
Primary user	Luftwaffe

The Henschel Hs 123 was a special kind of airplane called a biplane. It was built in Nazi Germany and designed to be a dive bomber. This means it would fly high, then dive steeply towards its target to drop bombs. It was known as a Sturzkampfflugzeug, which is a German word for "dive bomber." This single-engine plane was first used in the Spanish Civil War. Later, it was used in World War II against Polish, Belgian, and French soldiers. The Spanish air force also used some Hs 123 planes.

What Was the Henschel Hs 123?
- How Did the Hs 123 Help in Wars?
  - When Was the Hs 123 First Used?
  - Hs 123 in World War II
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What Was the Henschel Hs 123?

The Henschel Hs 123 was a strong and reliable airplane. It had two main wings, one above the other, which is why it's called a biplane. This design made it very strong and able to fly at low altitudes. It was built by a company called Henschel in Germany. The plane was designed to support ground troops by attacking targets on the ground.

How Did the Hs 123 Help in Wars?

The Hs 123 was mainly used for "close air support." This means it would fly near the fighting on the ground. Its job was to attack enemy soldiers and vehicles. It could drop bombs or fire its machine guns. This helped friendly soldiers on the ground move forward. It was especially good at hitting targets accurately because of its dive-bombing ability.

When Was the Hs 123 First Used?

The first flight of the Henschel Hs 123 happened in 1935. It was officially introduced into service in 1938. One of its first big uses was during the Spanish Civil War. Here, it showed how effective it could be as a dive bomber. It helped German and Spanish forces in many battles.

Hs 123 in World War II

Even though it was an older design, the Hs 123 was still used at the start of World War II. It played a role in the invasions of Poland, Belgium, and France. Pilots liked it because it was tough and could take a lot of damage. It was also easy to fly and maintain. However, as the war went on, newer and faster planes replaced it. The Henschel Hs 123 was eventually retired from active service.