The German 8.8 cm Flak Gun
The German 8.8 cm (or 88mm) flak gun
was originally produced in the mid
1930's as a heavy anti-aircraft gun. As is often the case in wartime,
necessity is the mother of invention. When, during the German offensive
into France in 1940, and particularly so in the fighting in North Africa,
Germany found its anti tank guns and tanks incapable of destroying the
heavier British and French tanks, German soldiers reverted to the heaviest
weapon they had, the "88." Adapted from an American gun carriage from post
WW I, the 88 could depress to fire at ground targets as well as elevate to
90 degrees to engage aircraft. The gunners could traverse the gun rapidly,
and with practice could put the gun in and out of action in a matter of
minutes. The major drawback to the gun was that it was towed by trucks or
halftracks, but with training that deficiency in mobility could be overcome.
As a testament to the effectiveness of the 88, Germany produced a whole line
of tanks and tank destroyers specifically designed to mount this powerful
cannon. The most famous is certainly the Tiger tank.