Corgi AA33713 Heinkel He111 H-5 1000kg ‘Herman’ Bomb A1+AH 1./KG53 Legion Condor 1942/43

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Kampfgeschwader 53 ‘Legion Condor’ was a German bomber group named in honour of the German forces that had fought alongside Franco’s Nationalists in Spain and assisted him in his victory over the Republican forces. The unit flew all of the main German bomber types, the Dornier Do17, Junkers Ju88 and the Heinkel He111. It was while flying the He111 that KG53 carried the large and devastating 1000kgbomb, nicknamed the ‘Herman’ bomb. It carried this nickname due to its rotund shape and large size, reminding squadron personnel of the leader of the Luftwaffe, Herman Goering. KG53 used the weapon in support of the sixth army around Stalingrad in the winter of 1942-3, repainting their machines with washable white winter paint in order to make them less conspicuous against the snowy backdrop below them. However losses were still heavy and despite the use of heavy munitions such as the ‘Herman’, bomber groups such as KG53 were unable to help the beleaguered sixth army. They surrendered on February 2nd 1943, with over 100,000 men being captured. Only 6,000 would ever see Germany again.

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