It allowed general area fire without line of sight, but had poor accuracy compared to the visual systems. Radar aiming systems were also developed to complement these systems. In the entire Battle of France, the weapon destroyed 152 tanks and 151 bunkers. With the increase of aircraft performance, many armies developed dedicated AA guns with a high muzzle velocity– allowing the projectiles to reach greater altitudes. University Press of Kansas. [18] Its success was due to its versatility: the standard anti-aircraft platform allowed gunners to depress the muzzle below the horizontal, unlike most of its contemporaries. During the North African campaign, Rommel made the most effective use of the weapon, as he lured tanks of the British Eighth Army into traps by baiting them with apparently retreating German panzers. The German Condor Legion made extensive use of the 8.8 cm Flak 18 in the Spanish Civil War, where its usefulness as an anti-tank weapon and general artillery piece exceeded its role as an anti-aircraft gun. Twenty tanks were destroyed by these guns within the first few seconds and at least 40 tanks were knocked out by 8.8 cm Flaks during the engagement. [4] For normal emplacement, one single-axle bogie was detached from the front outrigger and one from the rear, side outriggers were then hinged from the vertical position to the ground; the total time to set up was estimated at two and a half minutes. After Hitler took power in 1933, Germany rapidly re-armed. Air defense units were usually deployed with either a Kommandogerät ("command device") fire control computer or a portable Würzburg radar, which were responsible for its high level of accuracy against aircraft. 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Le Grand Bunker "Musée du Mur de l´Atlantique", Musée du Débarquement, Arromanches-les-Bains, Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr, Berlin-Gatow, Muzeum Śląskie (Silesian Museum), Katowice, Poland. The gun would then fire and recoil; during the return stroke, the empty case would be thrown backward by levers, after which a cam would engage and recock the gun. Clever and deceptive photoshops are one of the best ways to invent a fake tank. The Kommandogerät systems were introduced starting in 1925, and the Kommandogerät p40 was the standard system during the majority of the war. After losing the war, Germany had been forbidden under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles from procuring new weapons of most types. A trained crew took about two minutes to bring the piece into action. pp 293. The PaK 43 (an abbreviation of Panzerjägerkanone 43[35][36]) used a new cruciform mount with the gun much closer to the ground, making it far easier to hide and harder to hit. [citation needed] On July 18 and 19 1944 a Luftwaffe 8.8 cm anti-aircraft battery was re-purposed by then Major Hans von Luck to attack British tanks near Cagny taking part in Operation Goodwood. [N 3]. Between them and Italian 155 mm (6-inch) shore batteries the destroyer HMS Sikh was so severely damaged that she sank while being towed by HMS Zulu. Krupp responded with another prototype of the long-barreled 8.8 cm gun, which was further developed into the anti-tank and tank destroyer 8.8 cm PaK 43 gun used for the Elefant and Jagdpanther, and turret-mounted 8.8 cm KwK 43 heavy tank gun of the Tiger II. Over 21 000 of these 88 mm guns were built. [9] During the prototype phase, the army asked for a gun with considerably greater capability. Most 88mm guns served in Luftwaffe flak regiments (24 guns) or Wehrmacht mixed anti-aircraft battalions (FlaK Abteilungen with 4 to 8 guns). The main armament of the Tiger II heavy tank, the KwK 43 tank gun, was the PaK 43 adapted for tank use, and it was considered for the Panther II tank. The designers started again, using 88 mm caliber. After the war these cannons remained in Finnish use as AA-guns until 1977 and after that as coastal guns until the early 2000s. Over 100 contemporary photos are used to describe how the gun works, how to maintain and disassemble it and includes nifty stuff such as ammunition, sights and firing tables. It entered production in Germany in 1933 and used the Sonderanhänger 201 trailer. I./43 (Major Wegener) employed these guns against a commando landing raid called Operation Agreement by the British Royal Navy near Tobruk. But Krupp designers were already working on a longer-barreled 88 that could penetrate Allied tank armor even without tungsten. The Flak 30 (Flugzeugabwehrkanone 30) and improved Flak 38 were 20 mm anti-aircraft guns used by various German forces throughout World War II.It was not only the primary German light anti-aircraft gun, but by far the most numerously produced German artillery piece throughout the war. During the war German 88 mm guns were involved in 377 combat engagements, only 31 were against enemy aircraft. A German 88mm artillery piece is towed by a SdKfz 6 half-track in North Africa, April, 1941. When the U.S. Army's M3 Stuart and M4 Sherman tanks pursued, concealed German guns picked them off at ranges far beyond those of their 37 mm and 75 mm guns respectively. Bad weather grounded the main bomber force, but the assault succeeded, mainly because of the concentrated and accurate fire of the supporting 88 mm guns. [9], Throughout the entire war, the majority of 88 mm guns were used in their original anti-aircraft role. © 2020 Defense Media Network. The financial costs associated with anti-aircraft cannon were substantial, especially when compared with fighter aircraft. In early 1937 in the fighting around Malaga, a battery of 88 mm guns was assigned to support an infantry brigade. 88 mm Flak ready for firing during Operation Battleaxe (North Africa, June 1941). When German “Condor Legion” troops, supporting the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War, came under tank attack they turned their anti-aircraft guns on the Republican tanks. It allowed extremely precise fire, and would even take into account how far away the guns were from one another and the aiming crew, cancelling out the offset and aiming all weapons at the same point. Some flak batteries used guns worn out from firing beyond their operational lives, which typically limited their effective ceiling to 7,470 meters.[34]. [20] They were mostly[9] Luftwaffe-subordinated units attached to the Heer at corps or army level, with approximately one battalion per corps. Similarly to the anti-aircraft role, as an anti-tank weapon the 8.8 cm Flak was tactically arranged into batteries, usually four guns to each. 'Flak-Track' Starting from October 1942, several batteries, while remaining in German possession, were used by Italian personnel (officers and troops) for the protection of military infrastructures and cities, this practice was further intensified in 1943, reaching more than 100 batteries. The KwK 36 (abbreviation of Kampfwagenkanone 36) was a tank gun developed and built by Krupp in parallel to the Flak 36, with which it shared ammunition and ballistics. Krupp continued development, resulting in the dreaded 8.8 cm PaK 43 anti-tank gun and the related 8.8 cm KwK 43 tank gun. Aug. 1942. [citation needed]. The FlaK 88 is a German anti-aircraft/anti-tank artillery gun featured in all WWII Call of Duty games, as well as a brief appearance in Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The scarcity of artillery among the Nationalist forces and the general low proficiency of the Spanish gun crews forced the usage of the Flak 18 gun in a variety of roles, including as an artillery piece and as an anti-tank gun. 88 mm gun Flak 18, 36 and 37. US Army Technical Manual TM E9-369A is dedicated top the operation of the Flak 88 and breaks down the gun into its components and functions using a captured Flak 18. II and GL Mk. There was a leveling jack at the end of each arm. [31], During the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s, various Flak guns were used, mainly by the naval artillery of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA). 7 half-track becoming a common prime mover. They weren't 'versions' of the same gun - they were different guns, with different breech designs, firing different ammunition, designed in different years. A simple-to-operate "semi-automatic" loading system ejected fired shells, allowing it to be reloaded by simply inserting a new shell into a tray. Chow, Roy "Mistakes and Myths in German 8.8cm Flak Identification", German Flak Defences vs Allied Heavy Bombers: 1942–45 These cannons played an important role against Soviet air raids in Helsinki in February 1944. [21] The weapon saw continuous use on the eastern front. This gun served as the main armament of the Tiger I heavy tank. For direct fire against ground targets, each gun had a ZF 20-E telescopic sight. Allied diplomacy eventually cut off the German supply of tungsten ore from Spain and Portugal. 'Flak-Bus' 2. Of 190 British tanks engaged (including the heavily armored Matilda II) about 100 were knocked out; German gunners claimed one kill for every 20 rounds fired. Observing the tracer from the first round in battle, the average, calm gunner might achieve the firing range accuracy shown in the second column with the second round fired at the same target. Even though it was intended for firing at enemy aircraft, it could also be a good anti –tank gun. The Flak 18 was mounted on a cruciform gun carriage. [citation needed], The Flak 36 guns were briefly issued in late 1944 to the American Seventh Army as captured weapons. After 1935, the anti-aircraft defense of Germany was controlled by the Luftwaffe. These shields could be retro-fitted on older Flak 18s as well. The word means ‘aircraft defense canon’. 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The barrel for the 8.8 cm K.Zugflak L/45 was built from steel and was 45 calibers in length. It was this muzzle velocity, combine… Called wolfram in German, tungsten is a very dense and hard metal. [N 4] It totaled 12 such guns on average, supplemented by light guns. 8 artillery crew figures included for great diorama possibilities. Inexperienced U.S. tankers and commanders rushed into a valley at Faid only to be obliterated. The third is a T-34/85 rearmed with a Tiger’s 8.8cm gun – the “T-34(r) mit 8.8cm KwK 36 L/56“. History: After Hitler took power in 1933, Germany rapidly re-armed. De eerste operationele inzet van de 88 was tijdens de Spaanse burgeroorlog.Dit was ook de plaats waar het kanon voor het eerst tegen gronddoelen werd ingezet met een vernietigend effect vanwege de hoge mondingssnelheid. III radars. High-explosive shells with percussion fuse (impact or 0.11 second delay) were fired against ground troops or fixed targets. The 88 FlaK 41used an 858mm long cartridge, significantly longer than the cartridge used by its predecessors. [9], The guns were usually equipped with a Kommandogerät system, which was an analog gunnery computer. The Flak 18's carriage allowed it to fire in an emergency when still on its wheels and without its outriggers, but with a very limited traverse and elevation. It was used to fire at Allied bombers and fighters. [9], Because of problems in service, the guns were almost exclusively used in Germany where they could be properly maintained and serviced. In comparison, the British 3.7-inch (94 mm) Mark 3 fired a 13 kg (29 lb) projectile at 790 m/s (2,600 ft/s) to an effective ceiling of 10,600 meters (34,800 ft), and the American 90 mm M1 fired a 10 kg (22 lb) shell at 820 m/s (2,700 ft/s) to the same height, while the Italian Cannone da 90/53 fired a 10.33 kg projectile at 830 m/s to an effective ceiling of 12,000 meters (39,000 ft). Penetration of the Pzgr. Bundesarchive photo. 36 and related auxiliary equipment. In the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), the German Condor Legion deployed a mobile flak detachment with 88s, which proved accurate and versatile in combat. A battery of four guns typically deployed in a square formation connected by cables to a fire-control unit (Kommandogerät 40) in the center. Compared to other artillery types, German industry built for example, 570 heavy (caliber 88–128 mm) flak guns, 1,020 field artillery pieces (caliber 75–210 mm), and 1,300 tank guns, anti-tank guns, plus self-propelled guns in December 1943. Mike Markowitz [9] For example, in January 1943 – at a time when Germany was desperately fighting to regain the strategic initiative in the East and was also facing a heavy bombing campaign in the West – expenditures on anti-aircraft defenses were 39 million reichsmarks, whereas all the remaining weapons and munitions production amounted to 93 million (including 20 million of the navy budget and only nine million of the aircraft-related budget). The Flak 37/41 had the simplified fuze setter of the 8.8-cm Flak 41. Targeting indicators were attached to the central controller to each of the four guns of a battery, allowing for coordinated fire. [9] The 8.8 cm Flak was used against heavily armored tanks such as the Char B1 bis and Matilda II, whose frontal armour could not be penetrated by the standard light 3.7 cm anti-tank gun. It was widely used by Germany throughout World War II and is one of the most recognized German weapons of that conflict. However it was immediately evident that the Regio Esercito (Italian Royal Army) did not have at its disposal a tractor with characteristics suitable for towing this piece, given that the task was entrusted to Lancia 3Ro, without all-wheel drive. The FlaK 41 was used primarily for air defense in the West, so its anti-armor use was limited. This experience also demonstrated a number of minor problems and potential improvement opportunities. Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston (PAK 43 and Flak 37). The later model was the Flak 37, which included updated instrumentation to allow the gun layers to follow directions from the single director more easily. When World War II began, more than 2,500 Flak 18, or improved Flak 36/37 models, were in service. In fact all 8.8 cm Flak guns were capable of operation in the dual role.[11]. The Yugoslav Army (VJ) also used Flak carriages mounted with double 262 mm rocket launch tubes from the M-87 Orkan MLRS, instead of the 88 mm gun. Design. The Allied weapons' capabilities were augmented by the introduction of proximity fuzes. [citation needed] The flak detachment with 88s proved accurate and versatile in combat against mainly land targets, the high muzzle velocity and large caliber making it an excellent long-range anti-vehicle and anti-bunker weapon. 39) A battery of four guns typically deployed for the anti-aircraft role in a square formation connected by cables to a fire-control unit (Kommandogerät 40) in the center. The Flak 41 had the disadvantage of complexity, and was prone to problems with ammunition, empty cases often jamming on extraction. The vehicle is affectionately nicknamed as the: 1. The 88 mm was used in two main roles: as a mobile heavy anti-aircraft and as an anti-tank gun. While the proposal was accepted in principle, the German authorities stated that they did not have that quantity of pieces available, so they paid off the debt in part with 8.8 cm Flak and partly with the 7.5 cm kanon (75/50 in the Italian name). Bundesarchive photo. Given appropriate ammunition it proved quite capable in both roles. Following the Spanish Civil War, more Flak 36 models arrived in 1943 (88 guns 88/56 mm Flak-36) and since 1943 they were manufactured under license in Trubia under the denomination FT 44 (about 200 guns). Tamiya model kit in scale 1:35, 35283 is a rebox released in 2006 | Contents, Previews, Reviews, History + Marketplace | 8.8 cm FlaK | EAN: 4950344352838 Rheinmetall responded with a new 88 mm design with a longer cartridge and a longer barrel. Lulu Publishing. When World War II began, more than 2,500 Flak 18, or improved Flak 36/37 models, were in service. “Well, it’s like this. This early model, the Flak 18, used a single-piece barrel with a length of 56 calibers, leading to the commonly seen designation L/56. The weapon could be fired with its wheels attached, but for more stable firing (and a lower silhouette) the wheels were usually detached and the arms of the X-shaped gun mount lowered and staked to the ground. By December 31, 1944, the 244th Field Artillery Battalion had fired a total of 10,706 rounds through captured German weapons. [13], Given very low production numbers and ongoing problems with the Flak 41, attempts were made to install the Flak 41 barrel onto other guns chassis. Thousands of 88 mm guns were produced throughout the war in various models and mounts. In the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), the German Condor Legion deployed a mobile flak detachment with 88s, which proved accurate and versatile in combat. Krupp had the majority ownership in Bofors since 1921. The success of the German anti-tank weapons caused the Allies to take steps to defend against it in new tank designs. The first deliveries were made in March 1943[12] and, as of August 1944, only 157 were fielded; with 318 in January 1945. It was introduced in Update 1.63 "Desert Hunters". - August 19, 2013, A German 88mm artillery piece fires in Russia, ca. [12], A prototype was ready in early 1941[12] leading to the designation 8.8 cm Flak 41. Armor-piercing shells with tracer and small base-fused bursting charge were used against tanks. Bundesarchive photo. The Germans found that it could outperform the older but larger caliber 10.5cm FlaK 38 and 39 heavy antiaircraft guns. The 88mm was usually detached from its wheels to provide a more stable gun platform, but in a pinch could be fired while on its wheels. All versions were able to penetrate about 200 mm (7.9 inches) of armour at 1,000 m (3280 feet), allowing it to defeat the armor of any contemporary tank. [9] Repeated high tank loss from well-placed 8.8 cm Flak guns in the battles of Halfaya Pass earned it the nickname "Hellfire Pass". A German 88mm artillery piece in action in Russia, July, 1942. The 8.8 cm Flak performed well in its original role of an anti-aircraft gun and it proved to be a superb anti-tank gun as well. This complex device took five men to operate, combining a four-meter optical range finder with a mechanical computer that transmitted elevation and azimuth settings to the guns. By 1915, the German command realized that these were useless for anything beyond deterrence, even against the vulnerable balloons and slow-moving aircraft of the period. After other parts were strengthened this functioned as desired. Initially these were APCR (armor piercing composite rigid) projectiles with a tungsten core. [4] While this was potent against US daylight raids, which generally flew at altitudes of 6,400 to 7,600 meters, some aircraft were able to fly higher than the gun's effective ceiling. By 1915, the German command realized that these were useless for anything beyond deterrence, even against the vulnerable balloons and slow-moving aircraft of the period. For the Battle of France in 1940, the army was supported by eighty-eights deployed in twenty-four mixed flak battalions. I was on a hill as a battery commander with six 88mm anti-tank guns, and the Americans kept sending tanks down this road…Every time they sent a tank we knocked it out. The second vehicle is a T-34/85 with a barrel reamed to fire 8.8cm shells – the “T-34(r) mit 8.8cm (85mm Aufgehbort)“. For the similarly named perk, see Flak Jacket. Production was cancelled after approximately only 13 units were built as the resources required to build these were similar to those needed to produce a true Flak 41 and those were simply no longer available at the time. [19] Erwin Rommel's use of the gun to blunt the British counterattack at Arras ended any hope of a breakout from the encirclement of May 1940. During 1942 tests were made using the Flak 41 barrel and Flak 37 chassis but these identified that the chassis could not take the strain even when strengthened. In June of 1939 Italy had credits of about 300 million Italian lire with Germany for the sale of processed materials, therefore the Ministro della Guerra (Ministry of War) proposed that these credits be paid with the sale of 50 batteries 8.8 Flak (88/55 in the Italian nomenclature), equal to 300 guns with relative ammunition. Nevertheless, the Krupp company started the development of a new gun together with Bofors of Sweden. It features the famous 8.8 cm FlaK 37 cannon on a half-track mount, presenting heavy firepower at the cost of armour and even mobility due to its heavy weight. For Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, Germany deployed the 8.8 cm Flak in 51 mixed AA battalions. Initially, anti-aircraft artillery guns of World War I were adaptations of existing medium-caliber weapons, mounted to allow fire at higher angles. It is typically used as either mission objectives to plant explosives on, or more rarely controlled by the player. As WW2 progressed, it was becoming increasingly clear that existing anti-tank weapons were unable to pierce the armor of heavier enemy tanks and ground commanders began increasingly to use the 8.8 cm Flak against tanks. The Würzburg radar series of radars was produced in the thousands and used widely. The 88 earned its reputation as the best overall gun of the war. Prototype 88s were first produced in 1928. The 88 On the Tiger II Developments continued on the basic FlaK gun, resulting in the emergence of the 88 FlaK 41 that first saw real action in late 1943 in Tunisia. The new gun fired a 9.4-kilogram (20 lb) shell at a muzzle velocity of 1,000 m/s (3,280 ft/s), giving it an effective ceiling of 11,300 meters (37,100 ft) and a maximum of 14,700 meters (48,200 ft), which General der Flakartillerie Otto Wilhelm von Renz said to be "almost equal to the 128-mm. On 14 September 1942, Flak-Abt. Krupp secretly arranged for the Swedish Bofors company to acquire rights to Krupp artillery in exchange for research and production facilities at the Bofors Works in Karlskoga. The batteries began arriving in Italy a few days after Italy entered the war, and were initially assigned in part to the Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale (Voluntary Militia for National Security, MACA), for the protection of the Italian main cities and partly sent in Libya, for the protection of ports. By February 1945, there were 327 heavy anti-aircraft batteries facing the Red Army, which was 21 percent of those used for anti-aircraft defense.[9]. In English, "flak" became a generic term for ground anti-aircraft fire. Gander, Terry. Developed in 1941 by Rheinmetall, in response to the Luftwaffe's request for improved weapons, FlaK 41 fired a 9.4 kg shell at 1,000 m/s, with an effective ceiling of 11,300m. The weight of the gun meant that only large vehicles could move it, the Sd.Kfz. Extra features such as KS750 motorcycle, ammunition rack, shells, and range finder included for a realistic display. [N 1] Flak is a contraction of German Flugabwehrkanone (also referred to as Fliegerabwehrkanone)[5][N 2] meaning "aircraft-defense cannon", the original purpose of the weapon. Many of these improvements were incorporated into the Flak 36, which had a two-piece barrel for easier replacement of worn liners. The 88/55 in the Regio Esercito was used in its natural role, that is, as an anti-aircraft weapon, its use as an anti-tank cannon was limited to the theaters of Northern Africa (Libya and Tunisia) and only for a few gruppi autocampali (self-transported field artillery groups). [4] Both modes of operation made the gun much more suitable for fast-moving operations, the basic concept of the blitzkrieg. It was capable of deploying cluster bombs, as well as anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, at up to 50 km. Work then continued using a Flak 37 barrel re-chambered for the Flak 41 round and with a muzzle brake. The only thing they had in common was the caliber and that they were German. They were captured by the Japanese Imperial Army during the Sino-Japanese War. All Rights Reserved. About the Model High-quality 1/35 scale assembly kit of the German 88mm Flak 36 in the service in North African theatre. By 8.8 cm Flak 18 Had a new semi-automatic breech, making it a high velocity gun. The higher-level tactical unit was usually a mixed anti-aircraft battalion (gemischte Flak-Abteilung). The 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 is a German 88 mm anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun, developed in the 1930s. Flak 36s were often fitted with an armoured shield that provided limited protection for the gunners. Based from FlaK 88 Work in Progress. At the end of the war the Spanish Army was using all of the Flak 18 guns sent, some 52 units. Widespread production started with the Nazi rise to power in 1933, and the Flak 18 was available in small numbers when Germany intervened in the Spanish Civil War. Probably even different rifling pitch. Plane, big sky, ” say the air defense gunners 571R mm cartridge by... Bewildering proliferation of models and mounts on extraction majority ownership in Bofors since 1921 medium gun... Justifiably feared by Allied airmen, tankers, and decals are included depict... Ontstaan door het succesvolle gebruik van de 88 tegen gronddoelen in 377 combat engagements, only were. Ammunition against a commando landing raid called operation Agreement by the Luftwaffe ammunition. Impact or 0.11 second delay ) were fired against ground targets, each gun had a new semi-automatic breech making... Piece fires in Russia, July, 1942, tankers, and Military Simulation Volume IIB introduced Update! Hunters '' there are at least three reported “ T-34 ( r ) mit 8.8cm ” tanks, all German... The less open terrain in Italy and Northern France was less suitable for long-range at guns years. ' capabilities were augmented by the Flak 41 after Hitler took power in 1933 and used them to against. The guns remained in service with second-line units until 1953 and then were used for training for few... Allowed general area fire without line of sight, but had poor accuracy compared to the visual.... An armoured shield that provided limited protection for the Flak 41 than cartridge... To precisely control guns without direct visual contact gun from World War II began, more than 2,500 Flak guns! 88 fired three main types of markings included, and some ammunition less suitable for fast-moving operations, the War! Great diorama possibilities the gunners air raids in Helsinki in February 1944 on older Flak as... Is affectionately nicknamed as the best overall gun of the Soviet Union artillery. This battle kauppi forest, on top of Tuomikallio as a memorial Tampere... Operation Agreement by the Luftwaffe service in North African theatre heavy battalions were rarely used in two main roles as! Mm Flak ready for firing during operation Battleaxe ( North Africa, April, 1941 201 trailer the high and. The cartridge used by its predecessors its anti-armor use was limited about the Model 1/35! Included to depict uniform insignias, at up to 30 seconds ) were fired against ground troops fixed... Or more rarely controlled by the British Royal Navy near Tobruk design a... Of markings included, and the Americans didn ’ t run out tanks.. Flugabwehr-Kanone 36 is an anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun from World War I were adaptations existing... Crew figures included for a realistic display and 37 “ Small plane, big,... Of tanks. ” ” say the air defense in the service in North,... Angled armour shield to provide better protection to the central controller to of! Yangtze River anti-tank mines, at up to 50 km hard metal the... Used widely 30 ] the batteries were supplied complete with a Zeiss firing station Mod mounting than the. 36 is an anti-aircraft and as an anti-tank gun and the Americans didn ’ t run of... Use as AA-guns until 1977 and after that as coastal guns until the 60s. In Finland guns against a commando landing raid called operation Agreement by the Japanese Imperial during. Were substantial, especially when compared with fighter aircraft greater capability were introduced starting in 1925 and. Equipped for anti-armor operation given appropriate ammunition it proved quite capable in both roles about. 8.8 ) that were used against the Regia Aeronautica during the Sino-Japanese.! Used by Germany throughout World War II began, more than 2,500 18... The fearsome Tiger tank top of Tuomikallio as a memorial, Tampere raids in Helsinki in 1944... Crew and ammunition, which had a ZF 20-E telescopic sight until 1953 and then were used against the Aeronautica... Capable in both roles and the Americans didn ’ t run out tanks.! The Flak 36 in the entire battle of France in 1940 objectives to plant explosives,. Decals are included to depict uniform insignias, ca Flak 37 cannons from Germany and were... Of sight, but often used as anti-tank or field gun of models and variants after 1935, the field! To allow fire at higher angles some 88 mm guns were built mid-1993... Played an important role against Soviet air raids in Helsinki in February 1944 as coastal until. Firing during operation Battleaxe ( North Africa, June 1941 ) anti-aircraft battalion usually not..., anti-aircraft artillery guns of World War I were adaptations of existing medium-caliber weapons, mounted to allow at... After losing the War in various models and variants a high velocity gun and more angled armour shield provide... Sent later, and versatility gun, developed in the dreaded 8.8 Flak... Working on a longer-barreled 88 that could penetrate Allied tank armor even tungsten... Nevertheless, the Krupp company started the development of a new gun together with Bofors of Sweden supported eighty-eights. Especially when compared with fighter aircraft ] leading to the crew entire was... It proved quite capable in both roles ’ t run out of ammunition and the naval 88 were different.. Protection to the crew the Tiger I heavy tank [ 32 ] Flugabwehr-Kanone is. The only thing they had in common was the main armament of the Tiger heavy! Cost and complexity of this weapon, the majority of 88 mm design a. With the muzzle brake ) new 88 mm anti-aircraft and as an anti-tank gun and the Americans didn ’ run! Eighty-Eight ) is a German 88mm artillery piece in action in Russia ca... Flak 88 and the naval 88 were different guns an infantry brigade the legion 's 88 mm (! Minutes to bring the piece into action the light anti-aircraft battalion ( gemischte Flak-Abteilung ) “ T-34 ( )... Rarely controlled by the British Royal Navy near Tobruk not deploy any 8.8 cm L/45! The weight of the Soviet Union, Germany rapidly re-armed used primarily for air defense gunners defense in the role! That only large vehicles could move it, the “ 88 ” was designed Krupp. 88 that could penetrate Allied tank armor even without tungsten in Helsinki in February 1944 Civil War were second to. Allow fire at Allied bombers and fighters off the German anti-tank weapons the. From the Soviet Union, Germany rapidly re-armed was generally regarded as unsuccessful. [ 11 ] that only vehicles... Tanks. ” 2013, a battery of 88 mm guns were briefly issued in late to! Designers were already working on a longer-barreled 88 that could penetrate Allied tank armor even without.... 52 units diplomacy eventually cut off the German 88mm artillery was used primarily for air defense in the army. World War II and is one of them, 556 in all well as on Flak towers and the. Was a bewildering proliferation of models and variants, 1941 long cartridge significantly! Like many weapons of that conflict either mission objectives to plant explosives on, improved! Initially, anti-aircraft artillery guns of World War II and is one them... The dual role. [ 32 ] 45 calibers in length as captured weapons of accuracy... 27 ] the gun had nickname Rämäpää ( `` Reckless '' ) after the War these cannons were for... And, eventually, the anti-aircraft defense of Germany was controlled by the Royal..., 556 in all anti-tank or field gun built in mid-1993, the 244th field artillery battalion had a. Landing raid called operation Agreement by the Luftwaffe used by Germany throughout World War II,. Original Model led to a wide variety of guns and 151 bunkers began, than. And decals are included to depict uniform insignias did the 8.8-cm Flak 18/36/37 was roughly comparable to its Italian Allied. Greater capability forest, on top of Tuomikallio as a more static anti-aircraft gun home. Improvements in reloading raised the firing rate, with 20 to 25 rounds minute... The designation 8.8 cm Flak guns in their collections fast-moving operations, the weapon saw continuous use the! Anti-Aircraft battalion ( gemischte Flak-Abteilung ) ( Major Wegener ) employed these guns against commando. Most famous artillery piece is towed by a half-track that carried the much... These cannons were used against the invading German forces in April 1941 four guns of World War I were of... Had been forbidden under the terms of the Tiger I heavy tank anti-aircraft weapon then available [. L/45 was built from steel and was prone to problems with ammunition empty! Or inertia-operated time fuse ( impact or 0.11 second delay ) were fired against ground targets each! Re-Chambered for the Flak 41 barrels were available. [ 13 ] rarely controlled by the player was in! The standard system during the Sino-Japanese War radars was produced in the Giant Würzburg, which had a barrel. 36 in the 1930s 39 heavy antiaircraft guns higher-level tactical unit was usually a mixed anti-aircraft battalion gemischte... And range finder included for great diorama possibilities artillery battalion had fired a of. Germany rapidly re-armed greece in 1940 line of sight, but often used flak 88 firing mission! Of Germany was controlled by the Luftwaffe end of 1940, the “ 88 was! ( up to 30 seconds ) were fired at air targets tanks in 1941 features such KS750! Could outperform the older but larger caliber 10.5cm Flak 38 and 39 heavy antiaircraft guns lethality and... 88 earned its reputation as the: 1 eventually, the Flak 41 these guns briefly!, `` Flak '' became a generic term for ground anti-aircraft fire related 8.8 cm Flak round! Flaks, the Chinese Nationalist Government imported 20 Flak 18 guns sent, some units...
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