The 88 in all its version was an exceptional weapon, that served it crews without fail. It was not just a reliable and well designed machine but it achieved results on every encounter. The failing of the gun was not in the men or the machine but in the many faceted nature of war. That … Continue reading 88mm – Conclusion
Category: Anti-Aircraft
88mm – Other Versions
The 88mm was well utilised for both land and air targets however their were versions that were ship borne, the Schiffskanone C/35 and the Unterseebootlafette C/35 were just such versions. Both were used for arming surface and sub-surface vessels, in the case of sub-surface we refer to U-boats. These versions were technically unrelated to the … Continue reading 88mm – Other Versions
88mm – Self-Propelled (Pt. 3 of 3)
The second specialised tank destroyer was known as the Sturmgeschutz 8.8cm PaK 43/2 SdkfZ 184. Informally it was known as the Elefant or Ferdinand after the designer Dr. Ferdinand Porsche the acclaimed and famous automotive designer who lent his expertise to the German war effort. It was ordered by Hitler himself who was pressing for … Continue reading 88mm – Self-Propelled (Pt. 3 of 3)
88mm – Self-Propelled (Pt. 2 of 3)
The chassis was a PzKpfw IV hull and suspension and was fitted with a Maybach HL 120 TRM V-12 water cooled inline engine. It output 300hp at 3,000rpm to produce a top speed of 40km/hr on paved surfaces and 24km/hr cross-country. Its fuel tank gave it a combat range of 200km. The chassis was laid … Continue reading 88mm – Self-Propelled (Pt. 2 of 3)
88mm – Self-Propelled (Pt. 1 of 3)
This refers to the SdKfz 164 which was called the Rhinoceros or the Hornisse. It represented a first for the German army as it was the first tracked self-propelled anti-tank gun to enter its service. It was fitted with a PaK 43/1 L/71 version of the 88mm gun. The mobile platform was designed specifically for … Continue reading 88mm – Self-Propelled (Pt. 1 of 3)
PaK 43/41 (Pt. 2 of 2)
The amount of modifications made the PaK 43/41 new technology to the crews and such new technologies have a learning curve and as such a cost. It bore little semblance to the original 88s. The new barrel length was now 71 calibres and fitted with a double baffle muzzle break to reduce recoil forces. This … Continue reading PaK 43/41 (Pt. 2 of 2)
PaK 43/41 (Pt. 1 of 2)
War is a game of escalation until someone can't go any further, you get semi-automatic weapons the enemy gets automatic you get bullet proof armour the enemy gets armour piercing rounds and so on. The Germans had the PaK 41 the Russians got the T-34. The performance of the 88 had to be improved if … Continue reading PaK 43/41 (Pt. 1 of 2)
PaK 43 (Pt. 2 of 2)
With the boogie wheels removed the combat weight was now 3,700kg and when positioned on the front the outrigger arms could be hammered into the ground with metal stakes to prevent recoil movement. The firing mechanism was electric which was an unusual feature for field weaponry, with many safety switches to prevent accidental firing on … Continue reading PaK 43 (Pt. 2 of 2)
PaK 43 (Pt. 1 of 2)
In response to the changing environment Krupp modified the FlaK 37 which was then known as the 88mm PaK 43 and entered service in 1943. This new vehicle had a lower profile and better sloping armour to protect the crew. The gun was still mounted to the cruciform platform and had pneumatic tyres for towing. … Continue reading PaK 43 (Pt. 1 of 2)
The PaK Guns (Pt. 3 of 3)
With Rommel in Africa the Germans in Europe were prepping for Operation Barbarossa. It was here that the 88 would be tested. When the Soviets started using the T-34 was the 88 pressed into service. When deployed in Russia 10 of these guns were grouped together into a concentrated defensive position called a 'PaK front'. … Continue reading The PaK Guns (Pt. 3 of 3)