Why was the German 88 so feared?

Why was the German 88 so feared?

The 88 earned its reputation as the best overall gun of the war. It was justifiably feared by Allied airmen, tankers, and foot soldiers because of its accuracy, lethality, and versatility. The weapon was deployed on German tanks, as an antitank gun, an assault gun, and for antiaircraft purposes.

How much did a German 88 shell weigh?

8.8 cm KwK 36

8,8 cm KwK 36
Shell Fixed QF 88 × 571mmR
Shell weight 7.3 kg (16 lb) Armor-piercing composite rigid (APCR) Pzgr 40
Calibre 88 mm (3.46 in)
Elevation -8° to +15°

What is a flak shell?

The famous “flak” gun got its name from the German word Flugabwehrkanone, meaning aircraft defense cannon. The heavy gun could propel its 20.25-pound high-explosive shell to altitudes beyond 30,000 feet at a rate of about 15 projectiles per minute.

How much does a flak 88 cost?

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….8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41.

8.8 cm Flak 18-36
Designer Krupp
Designed 1928
Manufacturer Krupp, Rheinmetall
Unit cost 33,600 RM

What was the best anti aircraft gun?

  • Top 10 Best Self Propelled Anti Aircraft Guns In The World.
  • 1: PGZ – 95 ( Anti-Aircraft Gun )
  • 2: GEPARD ( Anti-Aircraft Gun )
  • 3: SIDAM 25 ( Anti-Aircraft Gun )
  • 4: TYPE 87 ( Anti-Aircraft Gun )
  • 5: MARKSMAN ( Anti-Aircraft Gun )
  • 6: LOARA ( Anti-Aircraft Gun )
  • 7: 296 TUNGUSKA ( Anti-Aircraft Gun )

Which was the best tank of ww2?

Though later tanks produced during this time period proved to have better armor and armament, the T-34 is often recognized as the most effective, highly influential and efficient tank design of WWII.

What was the German 88mm flak gun used for?

The updated German 88mm FlaK 37 guns added a rather sophisticated (for the time) fire-control data display unit. This antiaircraft gun initially was to be used in the defense of the homeland, although 90 FlaK 37s were sold to Finland for defense against Soviet air raids.

Why was the 8.8 cm Flak used in World War 2?

With the increase of aircraft performance, many armies developed dedicated AA guns with a high muzzle velocity – allowing the projectiles to reach greater altitudes. It was this muzzle velocity, combined with a projectile of high weight, that made the 8.8 cm Flak one of the great World War II anti-tank guns.

How did the flak gun get its name?

The famous “flak” gun got its name from the German word Flugabwehrkanone, meaning aircraft defense cannon. During the Spanish Civil War, German troops fired the guns at oncoming tanks and fortified bunkers with very effective results.

What was the German 88mm artillery used for?

For direct fire against ground targets, each gun had a ZF 20-E telescopic sight. German 88mm artillery was used on armored trains as well as on flak towers and eventually the Tiger tank. Bundesarchive photo