Henschel 129 vs KV-1

"Report
By staff engineer Hezner and chief engineer Schilling on experimental firing of 30 mm shells at Russian KV-1 tanks by the 1st assault squadron (Eastern front).

Objective: to determine the penetrative capability of the 30 mm AP shells and their effect on heavy Russian tanks. Summarize experience of using the automatic MK 101 gun on the Hs 129 aircraft and the specifics of attack.


Experimental firing:

The first trial against a Russian KV-1 tank (44 tons) at Barvenkovo scheduled on May 27th, 1942, was delayed due to bad weather. The trial was reattempted at dinnertime on May 28th. After 12 attacks from the air, not a single hit was scored (see attachment). All present had the opinion that the misses were caused by pilots who were poorly trained at shooting at individual targets and defects of the weapon. The defects of the MK 101 include poor loading of ammunition from the drum. after a correction of the drum and replacement of the loading mechanism, the defects were corrected.

On May 28th, after dinner, a KV-1 tank standing at Ocheretino was fired upon. 15 attacks from the air were performed and ___ hits were made by the same pilots as the ones at Barvenkovo. The training of pilots regarding firing on single targets was mentioned again due to a low hit rate (17%).

Summary of results:
The trials showed that:

1. 30 mm shells from the MK 101 gun have sufficient penetrative capability to be able to suppress heavy Russian tanks without extra armour from a range of 400 meters, including:
1. T-34 at an angle of between 60 and 90 degrees from the armour plate.
2. KV-1 at an angle between 80 and 90 degrees from the armour plate.
2. The MK 101 fires quickly enough (240 RPM) to achieve a hit with suppressing fire. Defects in feeding ammunition are now known and can be corrected.
   The metallic surface of the bottom of the plane will be reinforced to protect from gases generated by firing the MK 101 gun.
3. The Hs 129 has sufficient precision that, according to the opinion of those present, it can be used at a maximum approach angle of 30 degrees at a range of 400 meters or closer. At a lower distance, the angle has to be reduced to allow a safe exit from the dive. The choice of a successful angle depends on training of the pilots, thickness and position of the armour, visibility and movement of the tank, and the air defenses.
   Continue trials with KV-1 and T-34 tanks and discover what damage the 30 mm shell does to the inside of the tank. Also establish other ranges and angles from which a hit can be achieved.
   Regardless of the findings of further trials, the use of 30 mm armour piercing shells in the MK 101 cannon in the Hs 129 airplane is recommended.

...

Results of firing trials on May 28th against a KV-1 tank at Barvenkovo

Attacks	Angle of attack	Minimum height	Shots fired	Range*	Hits
1-4	~15 degrees	30-60 m	15 (gun jammed)	800-500 m	-
5	~25 degrees	50 m	6 (gun jammed)	1000-700 m	-
6-8	11-17 degrees	40-60 m	13 (gun jammed)	-	-
9-12	30-35 degrees	15-40 m	Gun jammed	-	-

Results of firing trials on May 28th after dinner against a KV-1 tank at Ocheretino

Attacks	Angle of attack	Minimum height	Shots fired	Range*	Hits
1-5	11-17 degrees	15-20 m	21 (gun jammed)	700-300 m	4
6-11	13-25 degrees	20-30 m	27	1000-400 m	3
12-15	24-32 degrees	12-30 m	24	800-350 m	5

* The range was estimated from the ground, as the Hs 129 airplane with special equipment for these measurements did not return from the front.

Part hit	Penetration	Depth	Notes
Turret	Yes	106 mm	Impact at 80 degrees
Turret	No	70 mm	Fragments of shell in opening
Rivet head on turret	No		Ricochet
Track	No		Ricochet
Turret	No	50 mm	Fragments of shell in opening
Turret	No	?	Shell torn apart in opening
Hull	No	82 mm	Fragments of shell in opening
Drive sprocket	No		Ricochet
Upper rear	Yes	2 mm	Penetration in the rear. Insignificant effect on armour plate behind screen.
Hull	No	60 mm	Impact at 60 degrees, fragments of shell in opening
Turret	No	40 mm	Fragments of shell in opening
Turret	Yes	120 mm	Impact at 90 degrees. The shell hit a weld seam.

Translated by Ilyukhin

Translation verified by Engineer-Lieutenant-Colonel Mikhin."

CAMD RF 500-12480-158