The 88 mm gun (eighty-eight) was a German anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun from World War II. It was widely used by Germany throughout the war, and was one of the most recognized German weapons of the war. Development of the original models led to a wide variety of guns.
The versatile carriage allowed the eighty-eight to be fired in a limited anti-tank mode when still on wheels, and to be completely emplaced in only two-and-a-half minutes. Its successful use as an improvised anti-tank gun led to the development of a tank gun based upon it. These related guns served as the main armament of tanks such as the Tiger I: the 8.8 cm KwK 36, with the "KwK" abbreviation standing for KampfwagenKanone ("Battletank Cannon").
88mm Flak Gun in The War That Came Early[]
Sgt. Alistair Walsh discovered that the Germans had supplied their 88mm antiaircraft guns with armor-piercing ammunition when one brewed up a couple of Matildas that had previously shrugged off rounds from 37mm antitank guns. These and various model Panzers stopped cold a British and French counter-attack during the Battle of France outside Paris.[1]
Later in the war, Sarah Goldman was surprised to see teams of horses pulling a couple of enormous antiaircraft guns past her house in Münster. Her father predicted this was to increase protection of the city from air attack when a Party big-wig gave a speech. This proved correct as Adolf Hitler himself spoke that evening from the city concert hall. Two and a half hours after he finished speaking, air-raid sirens wailed, flak guns fired and bombs whistled down but to late to harm him.[2]
As the war dragged on, the Germans found themselves hard pressed on all fronts against enemy tanks, and the 88's found a new roll as tank killers, especially in Spain and Russia.
88mm Flak Gun in Worldwar[]
During World War II, the 88MM Flak Gun had already established itself as a tank killer in the North African campaign. After the Race arrived in mid 1942, the Germans found it made a terrific mobile artillery gun against Lizard infantry and Troopcarriers.
References[]
- ↑ Hitler's War, Pgs 214-215, HC.
- ↑ West and East, Pgs 433-436, HC.
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