Henschel Hs 126

The Henschel Hs 126 was a German two-seat, high-wing reconnaissance aircraft used extensively by the Luftwaffe from 1938 to 1945. It served primarily as a close-range reconnaissance and artillery observation plane in the Spanish Civil War, Invasion of Poland, Battle of France, and Eastern Front. It was also used in North Africa, the Balkans, and for glider towing. 
 
Key Operational Areas and Uses:
Spanish Civil War: Debuted in late 1938 with the Condor Legion.
Early WWII (1939–1941): Operated as the primary army cooperation and reconnaissance aircraft during the invasions of Poland, France, and the Balkans.
Eastern Front (1941–1942): Used heavily for reconnaissance against the Soviet Union, but suffered high losses, necessitating fighter escort.
Special Roles & Late War (1942–1945): Relegated to night harassment/ground attack (Nachtschlachtgruppen) in the Balkans, Estonia, and Latvia. It was famously used to tow DFS 230 gliders, including for the rescue of Benito Mussolini in 1943. 
 
Though deemed obsolete by 1942 and largely replaced by the Fw 189, it remained in use for tactical reconnaissance and night ground-attack missions until the end of the war.