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The Reference Desk => History and Tall Tales => Topic started by: bayonetbrant on February 14, 2020, 08:16:13 AM

Title: Operation Aphrodite
Post by: bayonetbrant on February 14, 2020, 08:16:13 AM
Here's a variant for TfT for you guys to work up...


“Operation Aphrodite: The US Air Force Suicidal Tactics” by Andrei Tapalaga ✒️ https://link.medium.com/kHXfXpIy43
Title: Re: Operation Aphrodite
Post by: bob48 on February 14, 2020, 09:04:27 AM
Bloody hell!  :idiot2:
Title: Re: Operation Aphrodite
Post by: BanzaiCat on February 14, 2020, 10:42:12 AM
Sort of in the same vein (but not quite), the Germans had their own kamikaze squadron (Sonderkommando Elbe), tasked to bring down heavy bombers by ramming them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonderkommando_Elbe

Title: Re: Operation Aphrodite
Post by: bob48 on February 14, 2020, 10:46:14 AM
Always a sign of desperation, I guess.
Title: Re: Operation Aphrodite
Post by: BanzaiCat on February 14, 2020, 10:50:53 AM
Oh, and I'd forgotten of their Leonidas Squadron as well: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonidas_Squadron
Title: Re: Operation Aphrodite
Post by: bob48 on February 14, 2020, 10:58:07 AM
I'd not heard of that before, although KG200 is quite well known for doing some 'unusual' stuff, including using captured aircraft and for the 'Mistel' program
Title: Re: Operation Aphrodite
Post by: BanzaiCat on February 14, 2020, 11:25:55 AM
As you can imagine, they were not very successful. I think the Leonidas Squadron's only success was in destroying a lone railway bridge over the Oder, as the Soviets made their final advance against Berlin. They lost several dozen pilots to destroy that one bridge (something like 30 or so), which was a rather high price to pay.

The other group, Sonderkommando Elbe, I think only succeeded in downing 20 or so Allied bombers.

Hardly spectacular efforts.

If I remember right too, the Nazi leadership, even Herman Goering, were rather unenthusiastic about the whole thing.
Title: Re: Operation Aphrodite
Post by: bob48 on February 14, 2020, 12:00:42 PM
I think, but you may prove me wrong, that its the unit that had to (by Hit;er's order) use the magnificent 'Schwalbe' as a 'Strumvogel'