View source for Henschel Hs 123

{{short description|1935 dive bomber series by Henschel}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
| name                 = Hs 123
| image                = Henschel Hs 123 in flight.jpg
| image_border         = yes
| caption              =
| type                 = [[Dive bomber]]
| national_origin      = Nazi Germany
| manufacturer         = [[Henschel & Son|Henschel]]
| designer             =
| first_flight         = 8 May 1935
| introduction         = 1936
| retired              = 1953 ([[Spanish Air Force]]){{sfn|Green|1970|p=150}}
| status               = Retired
| primary_user         = ''[[Luftwaffe]]''
| more_users           = [[Republic of China Air Force]]
| produced             =
| number_built         = 265<ref name="lepage 113">{{harvnb|Lepage|2009|p=113}}.</ref>
| unit cost            =
| developed_from       =
| variants             =
| developed_into       =
}}
The '''Henschel Hs 123''' was a single-seat [[biplane]] [[dive bomber]] and [[close air support|close-support]] [[aircraft]] designed by the [[Germany|German]] aircraft manufacturer [[Henschel & Son|Henschel]]. It was the last biplane to be operated by the ''[[Luftwaffe]]''.<ref name = "smithkay 317"/><ref name="lepage 114">{{harvnb|Lepage|2009|p=114}}.</ref>

The Hs 123 started development in 1933 in response to a request for a single-seat biplane dive bomber. Henschel's design team opted to produce an aircraft with all-metal construction, relatively clean lines and a high level of manoeuvrability. Its principal competitor was the [[Fieseler Fi 98]], which was eventually cancelled when the Hs 123 proved to be more promising. On 1 April 1935, the first prototype performed its [[maiden flight]]; four prototypes were produced, the fourth of which featured strengthened centre-section [[strut]]s after two of the earlier prototypes were lost due to structural failures during high speed dives.

On its introduction to the ''Luftwaffe'' in the autumn of 1936, the Hs 123 quickly displaced the [[Heinkel He 50]] biplane, but was viewed as a "stop-gap" until the arrival of the [[Junkers Ju 87]] ''Stuka''. In 1938, the type was dispatched to Spain to fight with the [[Condor Legion|''Legion Condor'']] in the [[Spanish Civil War]]; the type reportedly performed well, particularly in the psychological impact of its attacks upon the Republicans. The [[Spanish Nationalists]] were impressed with the type and opted to procure additional aircraft. The temporarily organized [[Development of Chinese Nationalist air force (1937–1945)#Units of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force 1937–1945|15th Squadron]] of the [[Republic of China Air Force Academy|China Central Air Force Academy Group]] also flew combat missions with its Hs 123s around this time, attacking [[Imperial Japanese Navy|Imperial Japanese]] warships along the [[Yangtze River]].

The ''Luftwaffe'' opted to dispatch the type during the early and middle portions of the [[Second World War]], first deploying it during the [[Invasion of Poland|Polish Campaign]]. In 1940, it saw action in the invasions of the Netherlands, Belgium and France in the [[Battle of France]] and the early part of the [[Balkans Campaign (World War II)|Balkans Campaign]]. Numerous Hs 123s saw combat during the start of [[Operation Barbarossa]] the invasion of the Soviet Union]] in 1941. The Hs 123 proved to be relatively robust, durable and effective in combat, especially in severe conditions (such as those present in the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]]) it was commonly modified in the field to carry additional [[machine gun]]s, more [[Vehicle armour|armour]] and other changes. It continued to see front-line service until 1944, only to be withdrawn due to a lack of serviceable airframes and spare parts (production ended in the autumn of 1938).{{Sfn | Munson | 1978 | p =  90}}

==Design and development==
[[Henschel & Son|Henschel]] was a German [[locomotive]] manufacturer. Soon after [[Hitler's rise to power]], Henschel decided to start designing aircraft, one of the first being the Hs 123. This aircraft was designed to satisfy the requirement issued in 1933 by the [[Ministry of Aviation (Nazi Germany)|''Reichsluftfahrtministerium'']] (RLM). This requirement sought a new dive bomber to equip the new ''[[Luftwaffe]]''; it was specified that this aircraft should be a single-seat biplane. Henschel and rival firm [[Fieseler]], who responded with the [[Fieseler Fi 98|Fi 98]], competed for the same requirement.<ref name = "smithkay 317">{{harvnb|Smith|Kay|1972|p=317}}.</ref>

In comparison to the Fi 98, the Hs 123 was noticeably more [[streamliner|streamlined]] and possessed relatively clean lines.<ref name = "smithkay 317"/> It was a [[sesquiplane]], whereby the lower wings were significantly smaller than the top wings. The aircraft featured all-metal construction, the fuselage and fixed tail surfaces had a light [[alloy]] covering while most of the wings were also metal skinned; the control surfaces and the rear portion of both wings had a [[fabric]] covering.<ref name = "smithkay 317"/> The design eliminated the use of [[Bracing (aeronautics)|bracing]] wires, instead relying on single faired [[interplane strut]]s. The Hs 123 was also outfitted with [[cantilever#Aircraft|cantilever]] main [[landing gear]] legs that were attached directly to the smaller stub-like lower wings.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

On 1 April 1935, the first prototype, the Hs 123 V1, performed its [[maiden flight]]. During its first public demonstration flight, on 8 May 1935, it was piloted by {{lang|de|Generalluftzeugmeister}} [[Ernst Udet]], a [[First World War]] [[Flying ace|ace]].<ref name="Smith">{{harvnb|Smith|2014|p=577}}.</ref> The first three Henschel prototypes, the first and third of which were powered by {{cvt|485|kW}} [[BMW 132|BMW 132A-3]] [[Piston engine|engines]] while the second by a {{cvt|574|kW}} [[Wright R-1820|Wright Cyclone]], were tested at [[Rechlin]] in August 1935.<ref name="Legacy p73">''Air International'' August 1978, p. 73.</ref><ref name = "smithkay 3177">{{harvnb|Smith|Kay|1972|pp=317–318}}.</ref> Only the first prototype had "smooth" [[cowling]]s; the rest had a tightly fitted cowling that included 18 [[aircraft fairing|fairing]]s covering the engine valves. The third prototype was the first to carry armament.<ref name = "smithkay 317"/>

The performance of the Hs 123 V1 prototype was such that it quickly eliminated any prospect for the more conventional Fi 98 being awarded the contract; further work was promptly cancelled after a sole prototype had been constructed.<ref name = "smithkay 317"/><ref name="lepage 112">{{harvnb|Lepage|2009|p=112}}.</ref> During flight testing, the Hs 123 proved to be capable of pulling out of "near-vertical" dives but two of the first three prototypes crashed due to structural failures in the wings during high-speed dives.{{Sfn | Munson | 1978 | p =  90}}<ref name="Smith" /> The fourth prototype incorporated improvements to rectify these problems, the principal change being the adoption of sturdier centre-section struts.<ref name = "smithkay 318">{{harvnb|Smith|Kay|1972|p=318}}.</ref>

Following the completion its tests, the Hs 123 was ordered into production with a {{cvt|656|kW}} [[BMW]] 132Dc engine. During the summer of 1936, the first production aircraft came off the assembly lines, that had been established at Henschel's [[Schönefeld]] and [[Johannisthal Air Field|Johannisthal]] facilities.<ref name=Fredriksen171>{{harvnb|Fredriksen|2001|p=171}}.</ref><ref name = "smithkay 318"/><ref name=Bishop337>{{harvnb|Bishop|2014|p=337}}.</ref> The Hs 123 was intended to replace the [[Heinkel He 50]] biplane [[reconnaissance]] and dive bomber as well as to function as a stop-gap until the [[Junkers Ju 87]] ''Stuka'' became available; production was limited and no upgrades were seriously considered.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Henschel opted to work on an improved version, the ''Hs 123B'', during 1938. A proposal to fit the aircraft with a more powerful {{cvt|716|kW}} "K"-variant of its BMW 132 engine did not proceed beyond the prototype stage, the Hs 123 V5. The ''V6'' prototype fitted with a similar engine and featuring a sliding [[Aircraft canopy|cockpit hood]] was intended to serve as the ''Hs 123C'' prototype; 265 aircraft are believed to have been produced.<ref name="lepage 113"/> Production of the Hs 123A was terminated in the autumn of 1938. A prototype Hs 123B and a prototype Hs 123C were produced just prior to production of the Hs 123A ended.<ref name = "smithkay 319">{{harvnb|Smith|Kay|1972|p=319}}.</ref>

The majority of Hs 123s were delivered to the ''Luftwaffe'' and twelve Hs 123s were exported to China and 14 were transferred to the Spanish [[Aviación Nacional]] (the Nationalist Air Arm); both operators would use their aircraft in combat.<ref name="lepage 113"/><ref name=Weal3-4>{{harvnb|Weal|2003|pp=8–9}}.</ref>

==Operational history==

===Initial operations===

[[File:Henschel Hs 123 squadron in flight.jpg|thumb|A squadron of Luftwaffe Henschel Hs 123As in flight before the Second World War]]
During 1936, a small pre-production batch of ''Hs 123A-0''s was completed and used for service evaluation by the Luftwaffe.<ref name = "smithkay 318"/> This initial group was followed by the slightly modified ''Hs 123A-1'' series, the first production examples. The service aircraft flew with an [[Vehicle armour|armoured]] headrest and [[Aircraft fairing|fairing]] in place (a canopy was tested in the Hs 123V6) as well as removable main wheel [[Aircraft fairing|spats]] and a faired [[tailwheel]]. The main weapon load of four [[SC50 bomb|SC50]] 50&nbsp;kg (110&nbsp;lb) bombs could be carried in lower [[Hardpoint|wing racks]] along with an additional [[SC250 bomb|SC250]] 250&nbsp;kg (550&nbsp;lb) bomb mounted on a "crutch" beneath the [[fuselage]]. The usual configuration was to install an auxiliary fuel "drop" tank at this station that was jettisoned in emergencies. Two 7.92&nbsp;mm (.312&nbsp;in) [[MG 17 machine gun]]s were mounted in the nose [[Synchronization gear|synchronized]] to fire through the [[Propeller (aircraft)|propeller]] arc.

The aircraft entered service at StG 162 in autumn 1936. Its career as a dive bomber was cut short when the unit received its first Ju 87A during the following year.<ref name = "smithkay 318"/><ref name="lepage 114"/> The remaining Hs 123s were incorporated into the temporary ''Fliegergeschwader'' 100 at the time of the [[Munich Crisis]]. The ''Geschwader'' (wing) had been created as an emergency measure, equipped with obsolete aircraft and tasked with the ground attack role. With the signing of the [[Munich Agreement]] on 30 September 1938, the crisis was over and the ''Geschwader'' was disbanded, the ''gruppen'' being transferred to other established units. By 1939, despite its success in Spain, the ''Luftwaffe'' considered the Hs 123 to be obsolete and the ''schlachtgeschwader'' (close-support wings) had been disbanded with only one ''gruppe'', ''II.(Schl)/[[Lehrgeschwader 2|LG 2]]'' still equipped with the Hs 123.<ref name = "smithkay 3189">{{harvnb|Smith|Kay|1972|pp=318-319}}.</ref>

===Spanish Civil War===
During the same time, at the request of ''Oberst'' (later ''Generalfeldmarschall'') [[Wolfram von Richthofen]], chief of staff of the [[Condor Legion|''Legion Condor'']], five aircraft had been deployed to Spain in early 1937 as a part of the ''Legion Condor'', intended to be used as [[tactical bomber]]s.<ref name="Smith" /><ref name = "smithkay 318"/>

In their intended role, the Hs 123s proved to be somewhat of a failure, hampered by their small bomb capacity and short range. Instead, the Hs 123s based in [[Seville]] were used for [[ground support]], a role in which their range was not such a detriment, and where the ability to accurately place munitions was more important than carrying a large load.<ref name = "smithkay 318"/> The combat evaluation of the Hs 123 demonstrated a remarkable resiliency in close-support missions, proving able to absorb a great deal of punishment including direct hits on the airframe and engine. The Nationalists in Spain were impressed with the Hs 123's performance in battle, purchasing the entire evaluation flight and ordering an additional 11 aircraft from Germany. The Spanish Hs 123s were known as "''Angelito''" (dear angel or little angel), and at least one Hs 123 was in service with the ''Ejército del Aire'' ([[Spanish Air Force]]) after 1945.{{cn|date=January 2022}}

===Second Sino-Japanese War===
Twelve Hs 123s that were originally ordered by [[Portugal]] were exported to [[China]].<ref name="Smith" /> They were extensively used as dive bombers by the temporarily organized [[Development of Chinese Nationalist air force (1937–1945)#Units of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force 1937–1945|15th Squadron]] of the [[Republic of China Air Force Academy|China Central Air Force Academy Group]], operating against [[Imperial Japanese Navy|Imperial Japanese]] warships along the [[Yangtze River]], especially during 1938.<ref name="Fitzsimmons p.1373">{{harvnb|Fitzsimmons|1967|p=1373}}.</ref>

=== Second World War ===
==== Service from Poland to Greece ====
At the outbreak of hostilities, the surviving 39 Hs 123s assigned to II. (Schl)/LG 2, were committed to action during the [[Invasion of Poland|Polish Campaign]].<ref name="WealWoF p5">{{harvnb|Weal|1997|p=5}}.</ref><ref name = "smithkay 319"/> This single unit proved to be particularly effective. Screaming over the heads of enemy troops, the Hs 123s delivered their bombs with devastating accuracy. A frightening aspect of an Hs 123 attack was the [[staccato]] noise of its engine that a pilot could manipulate by changing rpm to create "gunfire-like" bursts.<ref name="Fitzsimmons p.1373"/><ref name = "smithkay 319"/> The Hs 123 proved to be quite rugged and capable of absorbing a high amount of damage while continuing to fly. Operating from primitive bases close to the front lines, the type was considered by ground crews to be easy to maintain and reliable in field conditions.<ref name="Smith" />

The Polish campaign was a success for the Hs 123 in spite of it being considered obsolete by several figures within ''Luftwaffe'' high command. Within a year, the Hs 123 was again in action in the ''[[blitzkrieg]]'' attacks through [[Battle of France|the Netherlands, Belgium and France]]. During one noteworthy engagement on 22 May 1940, the two ''gruppen'' equipped with the type held off an attacking force of around 40 tanks against their own forward base in [[Cambrai]].<ref name = "smithkay 319"/>

[[General Officer|General]] [[Heinz Günther Guderian|Heinz Guderian]] was continually impressed by the quick turnaround time offered by II.(Schl)/LG 2.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} Often positioned as the ''Luftwaffe''{{'}}s most-forward based combat unit, the Hs 123 flew more missions per day than other units, and again proved their worth in the close-support role. With Ju 87s still being used as tactical bombers rather than true ground support aircraft and with no other aircraft capable of this mission in the ''Luftwaffe'' arsenal the Hs 123 was destined to continue in service for some time, although numbers were constantly being reduced by attrition.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} While the Hs 123 proved to be particularly resilient against ground attacks, they were vulnerable to enemy fighter interception.<ref name = "smithkay 319"/>

The Hs 123 was not employed in the subsequent [[Battle of Britain]] as the [[English Channel]] proved an insuperable obstacle for the short-ranged aircraft. The sole operator, II.(Schl)/LG 2 went back to Germany to re-equip with the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]]E [[fighter bomber]] (''Jabo'') variant.<ref name = "smithkay 320">{{harvnb|Smith|Kay|1972|p=320}}.</ref> The Bf 109E fighter bomber was not capable of carrying any more bombs than the Hs 123, however, it did have a greater range and was far more capable of defending itself. It did have some downsides, including the notoriously tricky taxiing, ground handling, and takeoff/landing characteristics of the Bf 109, which were exacerbated with a bomb load.

At the beginning of the [[Balkans Campaign (World War II)|Balkans Campaign]], the 32 examples of the Hs 123 that had been retired after the fall of France were taken back into service to equip ''10.(Schl)/LG 2''.<ref name = "smithkay 320"/> The aircraft performed well enough to warrant its continued use by the ''Luftwaffe''.

==== Eastern Front service ====
[[File:Henschel HS123.jpg|thumb|left|Henschel Hs 123 on the Eastern Front]]
At the start of [[Operation Barbarossa]], the single ''Gruppe'' of the ''Luftwaffe'' that was dedicated to ground support was II.(Schl)/LG 2, operating 22 Hs 123s (along with 38 Bf 109Es).<ref name="WealWoF p4-6">{{harvnb|Weal|1997|pp=4–6}}.</ref><ref name = "smithkay 321"/> In service use on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]], the remaining aircraft had been field-modified with the main wheel spats removed, additional [[Vehicle armour|armour]] and extra equipment fitted as well as mounting extra machine guns and even cannons in under-wing housings.<ref name="Smith" />

Some volunteers of ''Escuadrilla Azul'' (15 Spanische Staffel/[[8th Air Corps (Germany)|VIII. ''Fliegerkorps'']]) of JG-27 detached in ''Luftflotte'' 2 managed Hs 123s in collaboration of II.(Schl.)/LG 2 units for ground strikes along Bf 109E-7/B fighter-bombers during 1941–42 period.

During the initial drive, the unit participated in action along the central and northern parts of the front, including a brief time in support of the fighting around [[Leningrad]], and participating in the battles for [[Bryansk]] and [[Vyazma]]. The first weeks revealed problems associated with using the Bf 109E, which was plagued by undercarriage and engine problems in the fighter-bomber role. Furthermore, its liquid-cooled [[inline engine (aviation)|inline engine]] was more vulnerable to small arms fire than the Hs 123's [[radial engine|radial]].

The winter of 1941/1942 brought hardship to all German forces in Russia, and the pilots in the open cockpits of the Henschels suffered accordingly. Despite this, they took part in the [[Battle of Moscow]]. In January 1942, the unit was re-designated as the first dedicated ground attack wing (in German ''[[Schlachtgeschwader 1]]'', ''SchlG 1''). The Hs 123 became a part of ''7./SchlG 1''.

During May 1942, this "new" unit participated in operations in [[Crimea]], after which it operated on the southern sector for some time, participating in the [[Second Battle of Kharkov]] and going on to take part in the [[Battle of Stalingrad]]. In the meantime, the small number of operational Hs 123 continued to slowly dwindle. Aircraft had been salvaged from training schools and even derelict dumps all over Germany to replace losses.<ref name="Smith" /><ref name="Fitzsimmons p.1373"/> The aircraft that had supposedly replaced the Hs 123, the Ju 87, also started to be assigned to ground support units, leaving tactical bombing to newer aircraft.

The greatest tribute to the Hs 123 usefulness came in January 1943 when ''[[Generaloberst]]'' [[Wolfram von Richthofen]],<ref>fourth-cousin of [[Manfred von Richthofen]], the "Red Baron"</ref> then commander-in-chief of [[Luftwaffe Southern (Balkan-Ukraine) detachment (Luftflotte 4, Romania-Hungary)|''Luftflotte'' 4]], asked whether production of the Hs 123 could be restarted because the Hs 123 performed well in a theatre where mud, snow, rain and ice took a heavy toll on the serviceability of more advanced aircraft. However, the Henschel factory had already dismantled all tools and jigs in 1940.<ref name="Smith" /><ref name="Fitzsimmons p.1373"/><ref name = "smithkay 321">{{harvnb|Smith|Kay|1972|p=321}}.</ref>

After participating in the [[Battle of Kursk]], SG 1 returned to Crimea, and there during late spring 1944, they finally gave up the aircraft that had served all over Europe from Spain to Leningrad. 7./SG 1 traded its last Hs 123s in mid-1944, for Ju 87s, a type that was to have replaced it back in 1937.<ref name = "smithkay 321"/>

By 1945, the Hs 123s that remained serviceable were reassigned to secondary duties such as supply dropping and [[military glider|glider]] towing.{{sfn|Taylor|1969|p=172}}<ref name="Smith" />

==Legacy==
The Henschel Hs 123 showed that a slow but rugged and reliable aircraft could be effective in ground attack. Despite its antiquated appearance, the Hs 123 proved useful in every theatre of the Second World War in which it fought.{{sfn|Winchester|2004|pp=130-131}}

No Hs 123s are known to have survived.<ref>[[Mark Felton]] Productions video, "Germany's Other Stuka — The Eastern Front Menace" at 7:44: "Today no examples of this remarkable aircraft remain."</ref>

===Follow-on designs===

The success of the Hs 123 in the Spanish Civil War led the RLM to put out a request for a successor aircraft. At this point in history, the exact role of aircraft in support of the army was still being developed. This was perhaps the first dedicated [[attack aircraft]] design which was intended to fulfill the [[close air support]] role in the niche between the tactical bomber and the dive bomber. The successor chosen was the [[Henschel Hs 129]].<ref name = "smithkay 3301">{{harvnb|Smith|Kay|1972|pp=330-331}}.</ref>

==Operators==
; {{flagicon|Republic of China}} [[Republic of China]]
* [[Republic of China Air Force]] – operated 12 aircraft using them as dive bombers.
; {{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} [[Nazi Germany]]
* ''[[Luftwaffe]]''
; {{flagicon|Spanish State}} [[Francoist Spain|Spanish State]]
* [[Spanish Air Force]] – purchased the [[Condor Legion]]'s remaining aircraft, and ordered an additional 11 aircraft from Germany. On the Eastern Front, volunteers of ''Escuadrilla Azul'' (15 ''Spanische Staffel''/VIII ''Fliegerkorps'') of JG 27 based in Vitebsk operated Hs 123's alongside II.(Schl.)/LG 2 units.

==Specifications (Hs 123A-1)==
[[File:Henschel Hs 123 drawing.jpg|thumb|Hs 123A-1]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= ''Aircraft of World War II: The Aviation Factfile''{{sfn|Winchester|2004|p=131}}
|prime units?= met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew= 1
|length m= 8.33
|length note=
|span m= 10.5
|span note=
|height m= 3.2
|height note=
|wing area sqm= 24.85
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg= 1,500
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg= 2,215
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 1
|eng1 name= [[BMW 132Dc]]
|eng1 type= nine-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 hp= 880
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number= 2
|prop name= metal variable-pitch propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh= 341
|max speed note= at {{cvt|1200|m}}
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km= 860
|range note= with drop tank
|combat range km= 480
|combat range note= with {{cvt|200|kg}} of bombs
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m= 9,000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms= 15
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass=
|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|armament=
* 2 × 7.92 mm [[MG 17]] machine guns, 400 rpg (field modification of 2 × 20 mm (0.79 in) [[MG FF]] cannon)
* Up to {{cvt|450|kg|1}} of bombs (1 × [[SC250 bomb]] under fuselage and 4 × [[SC50 bomb]]s under wings)

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Aircontent
|similar aircraft=
* [[Aichi D1A]]
* [[Curtiss SBC]]
* [[Hawker Hart]]
* [[Heinkel He 50]]
* [[Mitsubishi Ki-15]]
* [[Polikarpov R-5]]
* [[Polikarpov R-Z]]
|sequence=
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
* [[List of military aircraft of Germany]]
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist|2}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MuGsf0psjvcC&dq=Hs-123&pg=PA337 |title=The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II |first1=Chris |last1=Bishop |isbn=978-1782741671 |publisher=Amber Books Ltd |date=2014}}
* {{cite book |last=Eden |first=Paul |last2=Moeng |first2=Soph |title=The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft |location=London, UK |publisher=Amber Books |year=2002 |language=en |isbn=0-7607-3432-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Bernard |title=Hs 123, Henschel |series=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare |location=New York, US |publisher=Columbia House |year=1967 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last=Franco |first=Lucas Molina |title=Henschel HS 123 (Perfiles Aeronáuticos 2: La Máquina y la Historia) |language=Spanish |location=Valladolid, Spain |publisher=Quiron Ediciones |year=2006 |isbn=84-87314-61-9}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8tlOHHCRxuYC&dq=Hs-123&pg=PA171 |title=International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914-2000 |first1=John C. |last1=Fredriksen |publisher=ABC-CLIO |date=2001 |isbn=978-1576073643}}
* {{cite book |last=Green |first=William |title=Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Nine: Bombers |location=London, UK |publisher=Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) |year=1968 |edition=fourth impression 1972 |language=en |isbn=0-356-01491-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Green |first=William |title=Warplanes of the Third Reich |location=London, UK |publisher=Macdonald and Jane's Publishers |year=1970 |edition=fourth impression 1979 |language=en |isbn=0-356-02382-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Gunston |first=Bill |title=An Illustrated Guide to German, Italian and Japanese Fighters of World War II: Major Fighters and Attack Aircraft of the Axis Powers |location=New York, US |publisher=Arco Publishing |year=1980 |language=en |isbn=0-668-05093-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Gunston |first=Bill |title=The Encyclopedia of the World's Combat Aircraft |location=New York, US |publisher=Chartwell Books |year=1976 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last=Gunston |first=Bill |last2=Wood |first2=Tony |title=Hitler's Luftwaffe |location=London, UK |publisher=Salamander Books |year=1977 |language=en |isbn=0-86101-005-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Höfling |first=Rudolf |title=Henschel Hs 123: Die Geschichte eines legendären Schlachtflugzeuges (Flugzeug Profile 42) |language=German |location=Stengelheim, Germany |publisher=Unitec Medienvertrieb |year=2004}}
* {{cite book |last=Ledwoch |first=Janusz |title=Henschel Hs 123 (Wydawnictwo Militaria 4) |language=Polish |location=Warszawa, Poland |publisher=Wydawnictwo Militaria |year=1995 |isbn=83-86209-30-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Lepage |first=Jean-Denis G.G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hdQBTcscxyQC&dq=Hs-123 |title=Aircraft of the Luftwaffe, 1935–1945: An Illustrated Guide |publisher=McFarland & Co |year=2009 |language=en |isbn=978-0786439379}}
* {{cite magazine |title=Legacy of Udet...The Henschel HS 123 |journal=[[Air International]] |volume=15 |issue=2 |date=August 1978 |pages=72–79 |location=Bromley, UK |language=en |publisher=Fine Scroll}}
* {{cite book |last = Munson |first = Kenneth |title = German Aircraft Of World War 2 in colour |location = Poole, Dorset, UK |publisher = Blandford Press |year = 1978 |language=en |isbn = 0-7137-0860-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Shepherd |first=Christopher |title=German Aircraft of World War II with Colour Photographs |location=Edinburgh, UK |publisher=Sidgwick & Jackson |year=1975 |language=en |isbn=0-283-98179-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=J.R. |last2=Kay |first2=Antony L. |title=German Aircraft of the Second World War |publisher=Putnam |location=London, UK |year=1972 |language=en |isbn=0-85177-836-4}}
* {{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |title=Combat Biplanes of World War II |date=2014 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=United Kingdom |isbn=978-1783400546 |pages=577}}
* {{cite book |last=Taylor |first=John W. R. |title=Henschel Hs 123 |series=Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the present |location=New York, US |publisher=G.P. Putnam's Sons |year=1969 |language=en |isbn=0-425-03633-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Weal |first=John |title=Eastern Front Schlachtflieger |series=Wings of Fame, Vol. 7 |location=London, UK |publisher=Aerospace Publishing |year=1997 |language=en |isbn=1-880588-23-4}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1DIVDAAAQBAJ&dq=Hs-123&pg=PA122 |title=Luftwaffe Schlachtgruppen |first1=John |last1=Weal |publisher=Osprey |date=2003 |isbn=978-1841766089}}
* {{cite book |last=Winchester |first=Jim |title=Henschel Hs 123 |series=Aircraft of World War II: The Aviation Factfile |location=Kent, UK |publisher=Grange Books |year=2004 |language=en |isbn=1-84013-639-1}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
* [http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/hs123.html Luftwaffe Resource Center: Henschel Hs 123]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050527043824/http://aviationtrivia.homestead.com/hs123.html Henschel Hs 123]

{{Henschel aircraft}}
{{RLM aircraft designations}}
{{Spanish bombers}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Henschel aircraft|Hs 123]]
[[Category:1930s German attack aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1935]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]