Adequate information of an enemy's positions, reserves, movements and supplies has long been a vital factor in war. Before the outbreak of World War II Germany's Col-Gen Baron von Fritsch had predicted: "The next war will be won by the military organisation with the most efficient photographic reconnaissance." It is not surprising, therefore, that Germany made special efforts to have adequate photo-reconnaissance aircraft with which to fight the coming war.
One of the most important in the early years of the war was the Henschel Hs 126 short-range reconnaissance aircraft, the first all-metal aircraft of this type to enter service with the Luftwaffe. This evolved from the earlier Hs 122 design of 1935, but the Hs 126 was developed to offer improved performance and handling characteristics. Of parasol-wing configuration with an absolute minimum of supporting and bracing struts, it had a strut-braced tail unit and tailwheel-type landing gear with streamlined cantilever main-gear struts. Initial production Hs 126A-1 were powered by the 656kW BMW 132Dc radial engine. Accommodation was provided for a pilot and observer/gunner.
At the beginning of the war the Hs 126 was in service with most of the Luftwaffe's army co-operation reconnaissance units, used for both day and night sorties over battle areas. Used extensively and successfully at the beginning of the Russian campaign, they were later to meet severe opposition and often could be operated only with fighter escort. By early 1943 they were almost completely superseded by more advanced types, thereafter being used as glider tugs and for training.
