How Air Power and Bombs Affected Tank Warfare in World War II

In World War II, air power played a crucial role in the war against tanks. How did planes take out tanks? Were they required to hit them precisely with bombs or rockets? Were they effective?

Random Shots: The Reality of Tank Elimination

Many pilots and flyers believed that planes would hit tanks with whatever weapon they had, at whatever angle presented itself. While larger guns like the 50 cal machine guns could sometimes penetrate tanks or damage key components, they were not always effective. Occasionally, a well-timed shot could disable a support vehicle or personnel, providing limited but valuable assistance.

A notable example of the limited efficacy of aerial bombardment against tanks can be seen in the combat records of the Bell P-39 Airacobra. This aircraft, a predecessor to the A-10 Warthog, featured a center-mounted 37 mm cannon, designed primarily for tank hunting. However, the majority of tanks were not destroyed by fighters. Instead, the most common targets were the "soft" support vehicles that accompanied armored columns, such as infantry, horse-drawn artillery, fuel trucks, and ammunition vehicles.

The Man-Mountain: Hans Rudel and the Stuka

There were exceptions, however. Hans Rudel, a highly decorated Messerschmitt Bf 109 pilot, famously used his Stuka (known colloquially as the Cannon Bird) which had a 50mm Cannon under each wing. Rudel was credited with destroying approximately 400–500 Russian tanks, and even destroyed anything that stood still on land, on the sea, or underwater. His skill and determination in this role exemplify the unique and significant role that air power could play in combat.

Few Direct Hits on Tanks

While the RAF had 20 mm cannons, which could do some damage to soft targets, they were not effective against heavy armor. The 0.50 machine gun was often less effective than a pea shooter, and few tanks were actually destroyed by fighters. The Germans took to hiding their tanks during the day and protecting them with anti-aircraft guns. As a result, tanks were rarely the primary targets of fighter planes.

The Focus on Soft Targets

Despite the limited direct success against tanks, air power was remarkably effective at neutralizing the "soft" support columns that accompanied armored divisions. Without these support vehicles and personnel, a tank battalion became nothing more than a paper weight on the battlefield.

Notable figures, such as Erwin Rommel, recognized the importance of air power early on. His experiences in North Africa in early 1943, where facing Allied air superiority, underscored the vulnerability of such support columns. This insight led him to argue vehemently about the positioning of Panzer reserves in Northern France, suggesting that they should be better protected against air attacks.

The higher-ups, influenced by their experiences on the Eastern Front, argued for the rapid movement of armored divisions, but few arrived in the planned condition to engage Allied forces effectively. Additionally, one of the primary roles that planes could play was destroying bridges, both rail and large river crossings, which were critical bottlenecks for moving tanks and supplies.

In conclusion, while planes did not often directly take out tanks with bombs, rockets, or cannons, they were extremely effective in destroying the support systems that enabled armored divisions to function. This highlights the broader impact of air power on the outcome of battles during World War II.