Action Russia

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The Action Ru ß country was in World War II, a German plan, a strategic air war against the Soviet injury to the arms industry. The plan was not carried out. The main objective was to cut off the power supply and destroy the aircraft engine plants and synthetic rubber plants . The plan failed because of the Soviet advance, which put the Soviet arms industry outside the reach of the Wehrmacht. The air force, which had contracted from December 1943, was finally used against the Soviet railroad supplies.

The plan

The plan was developed by the " Carl Committee " , among others . The committee was founded on June 23, 1943 with the chairman Rudolf Carl, head of energy planning, with his employees Walther Schieber , Paul Pleiger and Walter Rohland .

Since the Soviet energy supply was concentrated in a few but very large power plants, the focus of the planning was on switching off the power plants that were to be attacked with the Fritz X guided bomb . So-called rope bombs, ropes dropped over power lines at low altitude and causing a short circuit, should also be used. It was expected that a power failure in the Moscow- Upper Volga area alone would result in a production loss of 80 percent for tank engines, 60 percent for light tanks and motor vehicles, and 50 percent for electronic and optical devices and rocket launchers . The psychological impression of strong German bomber formations in the depths of Russia was emphasized. The resumption of air strikes on Moscow was also discussed, but was rejected because of the "proven frugality and hardship of the Russian population". The destruction of the grain harvest with incendiary ammunition, similar to Operation Razzle, was also considered .

execution

From December 2, 1943, around 400 aircraft, mainly Heinkel He 111 under the general command of the IV. Fliegerkorps, also called "Korps Meister", were gathered at Luftflotte 6 in the Brest - Deblin - Baranowitschi area for refreshment and training. The three-month offensive against Soviet rail supplies began on March 27, 1944, as important airfields had been lost in the meantime. The German war propaganda took up the topic with reports such as “Flaming finale: Rovno and Sarny” or “Systematic destruction of the Soviet supply lines”.

The idea of ​​paralyzing the Soviet power grid remained virulent. Albert Speer even suggested kamikaze attacks. Me 328 towed by He 177 were supposed to pounce on the power plants with their pilots. Also mistletoe teams in operation eisenhammer should be used.

See also

literature