1. Bracket.
2. Suspension claws.
3. Clamping screw.
4. Slit guide.
5. Backsight bracket.
6. Backsight.
7. Slide.
8. Ring foresight.
9. Range knob.
10. Driving disk.
11. Backsight retaining springs.
12. Rule.
13. Aiming line.
14. Setting handle.
15. Speed scale.
The instrument is manufactured by Carl Zeiss of Jena. It is of the standard stereoscopic pattern, estimation of distance being by means of two reticles, one in each eyepiece, which when "fused" stereoscopically appear superimposed upon the image in depth. The instrument is difficult to handle, and considerable practice is necessary before an operator can obtain satisfactory results. The operator is required to produce accurate results at slant ranges up to 4,000 meters (4,400 yards)
Figure 6.—Sighting the target with Linealvisier 21.
(4) Personnel. The gun detachment consists of seven men as follows:
•Detachment Commander
•No. 1 : Layer
•No. 2 : Range-setter
•No. 3 : Course-setter
•No. 4 : Loader
•No. 5 : Range-taker
•Vehicle driver
Figure 7.—1-meter-base range-finder in use with 3.7-cm (37-mm) AA/AT gun.
c. 20-mm Four-Barreled AA/AT Gun (Quadruple Mount) (Fig. 8)
(1) Description.—The 2-cm Flakvierling 38 consists of four 2-cm Flak 38 guns. It may be employed either against aerial or ground targets. It is normally transported on a special trailer, but may also be mounted on half-track vehicles or railway mounts.
There is also a static version for use on Flak towers, in coast defenses, etc. In the trailer version, the gun is normally fired with its mount on the ground and with the trailer removed. It can, however, be fired front the trailer in an emergency (i.e., on the march). A traverse of only about 10 degrees at top elevation is possible in this position. Two foot-levers operate the trigger mechanism. Each foot-lever actuates the triggers of two diametrically opposite guns (i.e., the top left and the bottom right, and the top right and bottom left). This arrangement provides uninterrupted, continuous fire. While two guns are firing, the magazines of the other two can be changed. When both firing levers are operated, all four guns fire simultaneously. Furthermore, should there be a stoppage on one or more guns, the remaining guns can continue to fire. Provision is made for single-shot or continuous fire on each weapon. A shield may be fitted to the carriage. This weapon fires the same ammunition as does the 2-cm Flak 38 described above.
The following additional characteristics pertain to the four-barreled mount:
•Theoretical rate of fire: 1,680-1,920 rpm
•Practical rate of fire (estimated): 700-800 rpm
•Elevation: -10° to +100°
•Traverse: 360°
•Rate of traverse (two speed): 7 1/2° or 22 1/2° (per turn of handwheel)
•Rate of elevation (two speed): 4° or 12° (per turn of handwheel)
•Loading: By flat box-magazines containing 20 rounds in two staggered rows
•Weight in action (mobile version): 2,979 lbs
•Weight in draft (with accessories): 4,866 lbs
•Weight of trailer 52: 1,848 lbs
•Weight in action (static version): 1.25 tons
(2) Sights.—The equipment is provided with the Flatvisier 40 (or, where not available, Linealvisier 21—see b (2) (c), above), and a telescopic sight for the engagement of ground targets (see b (2) (d), above). The Flakvisier 40 operates on the same principle as the Flakvisier 38, described in b (2) (b), above. Apparently, Flakvisier 35 may also be used on the 2-cm Flakvierling 38.
d. 37-mm AA/AT Gun (figs. 7 and 9)
(1) Description.—The 3.7-cm (1.45-inch) Flak 36 is the smallest caliber of medium Flak artillery. This gun is mounted on a two-wheeled trailer, detached when the gun is in the firing position, but the gun can be fired from the trailer in an emergency. This method can be adopted both in an AT and an AA role on the march; movement in azimuth is, however, very limited under these conditions, and the crew may have to move the gun and trailer bodily to enable the target to be engaged.
Figure 8.—2-cm (20-mm) Flakvierling 38 on fixed support, showing ammunition feed.
Figure 9.—Demonstration class inspecting 3.7-cm (37-mm) AA/AT gun. (The German instructor is pointing to the feed mechanism.)
When on the trailer, the gun is towed behind motor transportation in which the personnel and stores are also carried. This gun also is found on self-propelled half-track vehicles and on railway mounts. Other characteristics of this gun are as follows:
•Muzzle velocity: 2,690 f/s
•Maximum horizontal range: 8,744 yds
•Maximum vertical range: 15,600 ft
•Theoretical rate of fire: 150 rpm
•Practical rate of fire: 60 rpm
•Maximum effective ceiling with self-destroying tracer ammuniion. (A new shell has been introduced, which is self-destroying at 9,185-11,480 ft. after 7-10 secs.): 13,775 ft with 14 secs time of flight
•Automatic, recoil-operated; the firing mechanism can be set for single-shot or continuous fire as required. The ammunition is loaded in clips holding 6 rounds.
•Weight in action: 3,100 lbs (approx.)
•Elevation: -10° to +85°
•Traverse: 360°
•Length of barrel: 50 cals (6 ft)
•Ammunition—two classes, as follows:
(i) Self-destroying HE tracer vvith percussion fuze (weight of projectile, 1 lb. 6 oz)
(ii) AP tracer (weight of projectile, 1 lb 8 1/2 oz)
(2) Sights.—The Flakvisier 33 is normally used for AA fire with this Weapon. This sight is believed to be similar in principle to the Flakvisier 35 used with the 2-cm Flak 30, described above. Observation by tracer is used with this sight for close targets where the angular velocity is high; in such cases, only the course is set into the sight.
(3) Personnel.—The gun detachment consists of 12 men as follows:
•Detachment Commander
•No. 1 : Layer
•N0. 2 : Range-setter
•No. 3 : Course-setter
•No. 4 : Loader
•No. 5 : Range-taker
•No. 6 : | Ammunition numbers
•No. 7 : |
•Vehicle driver
•Vehicle driver's relief
•Spotters (2)
e. 40-mm AA Gun
Although used by the Germans, the 4-cm (1.57-inch) Flak 36 iS not encountered very often in German AA units. The few guns known to be in the hands of the Germans are believed to have been taken for the most part from the Polish Army after the Polish Campaign. The 4-cm Flak 36 is a Bofors gun, having characteristics similar to the weapon used by the British except for some few variations in performance characteristics. A few characteristics of this gun are as follows:
•Muzzle velocity: 2,950 f/s
•Maximum horizontal range: 12,300 yds
•Maximum vertical range: 23,200 ft
•Effective ceiling: 16,200 ft
•Theoretical rate of fire: 120 rpm
•Practical rate of fire: 80 rpm
•Weight of projectile: 2.2 lbs
•Weight in action: 4,234 lbs
•Elevation: -5° to +90°
•Traverse: 360°
•Length of barrel: 60 cals
f. 47-mm AA Gun
The 4.7-cm Flak 37 has in the past been used to some extent by the Germans as a medium AA/AT gun, but there are indications that the Germans are not entirely satisfied with its performance, and that no attempt will be made to produce this gun any large quantity, This weapon is a Czech model, having originally been produced at the Skoda works and adopted for use by the Czechoslovakian Army, The gun is tractor-drawn, but it is also found on some self-propelled mounts. A few of the characte
ristics are as follows:
•Muzzle velocity: 2,620 f/s
•Maximum horizontal range: 10,350 yds
•Maximum vertical range: 22,300 ft
•Maximum effective ceiling: 17,000 ft
•Theoretical rate of fire: 25 rpm
•Practical rate of fire: 15 rpm
•Weight in action: 3,400 lbs (approx.)
•Elevation: -10° to +85°
•Traverse: 360°
•Weight of projectile: 3.3 lbs
g. 50-mm AA AT Gun
The 5-cm Flak 41 (1.97-inch) has only recently been brought into service. Its introduction indicates a considered need for a medium gun with a higher ceiling and greater destructive power than the standard medium 3.7-cm. No detailed or accurate information is available about its performance, but it is claimed by the Germans to fire both HE and AP ammunition and to be provided with a new Flak sight 41, which, according to a sketchy German report, is operated by one man and is a completely automatic clockwork-sight. Also according to the report, range is introduced and angular velocities are calculated in such a way that superelevation and vertical and lateral deflections are automatically applied.
This reported new gun should not be confused with the 5-cm Pak3 41, which is purely an AT weapon,
h. 75-mm AA Gun
The 7.5-cm Flak L/60 is a 1938 model, and is only slightly modified from the 7.5-cm Flak L/59, which is a 1934 model. The 7.5-cm Flak L/60 is carried on a trailer mount and is ordinarily tractor-drawn, Some versions of this gun may also be found on self-propelled mounts, and in fixed AA installations. The weapon is not used to any great extent, however, since the 88-mm gun has become the standard German gun of this class, just as the U.S. 90-mm AA gun is superseding the U.S. 3-inch AA gun. Some of the characteristics of the 7.5-cm Flak L/60 are as follows:
•Muzzle velocity: 2,780 f/s
•Maximum horizontal range: 15,500 yds
•Maximum vertical range: 37,000 ft
•Maximum effective ceiling: 30,000 ft
•Theoretical rate of fire: 25 rpm
•Practical rate of fire: 15 rpm
•Weight in action: 2.9 tons
•Elevation: -3° to +85°
•Traverse: 360°
•Length of barrel: 60 cals
•Weight of projectile: 14.3 lbs
i. 88-mm Dual-Purpose Gun (figs. 10 and 16)
(1) Development.—The German 8.8-cm gun was introduced in 1934 as the standard mobile AA gun. It was then known as the 8.8-cm Flak 18. In 1936, during the Spanish War, it proved a very effective weapon against tanks, which were at that time relatively lightly armored. In order to develop still further this dual-purpose employment, the Germans produced armor-piercing ammunition for the weapon, a telescopic sight suitable for the engagement of ground targets, and a more mobile carriage; an HE shell with a percussion fuse was also produced so that the weapon could, when necessary, be employed in a field-artillery role.
The improved equipment was ready in time for the Battle of France, when it proved itself capable of dealing with the heavier French tanks, against which the then standard AT gun, the 3.7-cm (1.45-in) Pak, was relatively ineffective. The next step was to provide the gun with a new carriage, from which the gun could engage tanks without being taken off its wheels, and to fit a shield. Still more recently, a self-propelled mount has been reported: and while there is no precise information as to its design, it appears that from this mount the gun can readily take on ground, but not air, targets.
(2) Description.—(a) General.—For all practical purposes, the operating characteristics of the 18, 36, and 38 models of this weapon are the same. The main characteristics of the 8.8-cm Flak 18 are as follows:
•Muzzle velocity: 2,755 f/s
•Maximum horizontal range: 16,600 yds
•Maximum vertical range: 35,700 ft
•Maximum effective ceiling: 34,770 ft
•Theoretical rate of fire: 25 rpm
•Practical rate of fire: 12 to 15 rpm
•Weight in action: 4.9 tons
•Weight in draft: 7.1 tons
•Elevation: -3° to +85°
•Traverse: 360° (limited to two complete revolutions of the handwheels, either side of zero, to avoid excessive twisting of the data transmission cable)
•Length of barrel: 56 cals
(b) Gun data (8.8-cm Flak 18).—The gnu consists of a jacket, a sleeve, a removable tube in three sections, and a breech ring. The three-section tube is held in place by the breech ring in the rear and by a locking collar in the front, both of which are secured to the sleeve. The sleeve is secured to the jacket by a locking ring at the breech end. One of the joints in the three-section liner is the chamber of the gun and is therefore sealed by the shell case, but the other occurs at about one-third of the distance to the muzzle.
The breech mechanism is of the horizontal sliding-wedge type, semiautomatic, and self-cocking. As the gun recoils, the mechanism opens, ejects the empty case, and at the same time, compresses the striker and breechblock operating springs. Loading is by automatic rammer used in conjunction with a loading tray.
Figure 10.—8.8-cm (88-mm) dual-purpose gun in action.
Firing is by percussion. The withdrawal of the loading tray will operate the firing mechanism unless set to "Hand." The breechblock may be opened and closed by hand if desired. The mechanism must be hand-operated for loading the first round. Safety arrangements are incorporated in the mechanism to prevent firing until the breech is in the closed position.
(c) Mount data.—The mount has a platform which rests squarely on the ground when the gun is in the firing position. The platform has four legs, with jacks at the outer ends of each for approximate leveling. In the traveling position, the two side legs fold upward. The pedestal is secured to the platform and supports the body through a gimbal ring and body pivot housing. The body, which contains the azimuth and elevation gears, supports the cradle on its trunnions and rotates in the housing for azimuth traverse. Accurate cross-leveling is accomplished by rocking the body pivot housing in the gimbal ring by means of cross-leveling handwheels on the platform. A 5-degree movement is possible by this means.
The gun slides on the cradle, to which it is connected through the recoil mechanism. The recoil system incorporates a hydraulic buffer below the barrel, and a hydro-pneumatic recuperator above. Both cylinders are secured to the cradle, and the pistons are connected to the breech ring. The buffer contains 18.8 pints of buffer fluid. The recuperator contains about 4 1/2 gallons of fluid and an approximately equal volume of air at 39 atmospheres. Length of recoil is variable, being about 1,050 mm at 0 degrees quadrant elevation, and 700 mm at 85 degrees quadrant elevation. The automatic rammer operates with the return cylinder, loading tray, and actuating mechanism. The internal construction of the return cylinder resembles that of the recuperator on a smaller scale.
A hand-operated fuze-setter with two openings is fitted to the left side of the body.
To put the gun in traveling position, the side legs are folded upward and secured. A limber and carriage are attached to the platform, which is raised by winches and secured. Some modifications of this gun are capable of being fired from the traveling position at ground targets, and there is also a model on a self-propelled mount.
(3) Ammunition.—The three types of ammunition used with this weapon are as follows:
Penetration of the AP projectile against homogeneous armor plate is approximately as follows:
(4) Fire control.—The gun may be laid on the target by three methods:
(a) Indirect laying, by matching the pointers of the data receivers, which are controlled by the director (Kommandogerät No. 36, described in par. 8 b (1), below).
(b) Direct laying, by means of the Flak ZF 20–E telescopic sight. Vertical and lateral deflections are applied to the telescope, and the man at the azimuth handwheel puts the cross hairs on the target. The gun is elevated by the man on the elevation handwheel, who follows an indicating a
rm which moves with the sight.
(c) The dial sight may be used for laying the gun in azimuth, while the quadrant elevation is set in by the elevation man as ordered.
(5) Mobility.—This gun is normally towed by two types of half-track vehicles. These vehicles, which are respectively of 140 and 185 horsepower and weigh 11 1/2 and 14 1/2 tons loaded, carry the gun crew, as well as a supply of ammunition in lockers at the rear of the vehicle. The exact amount of ammunition carried is not known, but seems to be at least about 35 rounds.
(6) Personnel.—(a) For action against aircraft.—The gun detachment consists of a detachment commander and nine men, with duties for antiaircraft action as follows:
•Detachment Commander
•No. 1 : Elevation-setter
•No. 2 : Azimuth-setter
•No. 3 : Loading and firing number
•No. 4 : |
•No. 5 : | Ammunition numbers
•No. 6 : Fuze-setter
•No. 7 : |
•No. 8 : | Ammunition numbers
•No. 9 : |
(b) For action against ground targets.—For the engagement of ground targets, the duties of this gun detachment are as follows:
•Detachment Commander
•No. 1 : Elevation-setter
•No. 2 : Azimuth-setter
•No. 3 : Loading and firing number
•No. 4 : |
•No. 5 : | Ammunition numbers
•No. 6 : |
•No. 7 : |
•No. 8 : Range-setter
•No. 9 : Lateral-deflection setter
j. 105-mm AA Gun
(1) Description.—The 10.5-cm Flak 38 (4.14-inch) is being encountered in increasing numbers. Although the 8.8-cm gun, because of its success and in particular its value as a dual-purpose weapon, is likely to remain the main armament of heavy Flak, it is known that the 10.5-cm gun ranks high on German priorities for war production. The possibility that this larger weapon may be developed as an AA/AT gun must, therefore, be reckoned with. It is noteworthy that a new tractor-drawn mobile version was produced some time ago, although it is reported that the mount proved unsatisfactory.
Some of the main characteristics of this weapon are as follows:
German Artillery in Combat Page 5