Anti-aircraft self-propelled gun 2cm FlaK 38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A / Flakpanzer I (Germany)

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Andrey Kharuk. A simple and lightweight anti-aircraft self-propelled gun

Article by Andrey Kharuk from the WARSPOT website.

On the eve of World War II, Germany developed a whole line of half-track tractors, starting with the tiny “motorcycle” Sd.Kfz. 2 to the huge 18-ton Sd.Kfz. 9. All of them (except the smallest) were used as chassis for self-propelled guns, and the most popular among them was the Sd.Kfz. 10/4 – 20 mm anti-aircraft gun based on the 1-ton Sd.Kfz tractor. 10.

The order for the development of a 1-ton artillery tractor was received in 1933. During 1934-1936, five prototypes were built, equipped with 1.5- and 2-liter engines from BMW cars, but all of them were considered too weak. Only the D6 model created in 1937 with a 3.8-liter Maybach NL 38TRK engine (83 hp) went into small series. The D7 tractor, produced since October 1938, became truly widespread. At first it was equipped with an NL 38TRKM engine (90 hp), and from the end of 1939 - with a 6-cylinder Maybach HL 42 (4.2 l, 100 hp). The transmission is semi-automatic Maybach Variorex (7 forward gears and 3 reverse), and since 1943 it has been mechanical. Tracked Sd.Kfz. 10 had five road wheels on board (3 double and 2 single). The suspension of the road wheels is torsion bar.

Before production ceased in December 1943, seven companies produced a total of 9,240 Sd.Kfz tractors. 10 (this number includes the chassis for the Sd.Kfz. 252 and Sd.Kfz. 253 armored vehicles, but does not include the chassis for the Sd.Kfz. 250 armored personnel carriers). Initially, tractors were intended exclusively for towing light artillery systems such as a 37 mm anti-tank gun or 20 mm anti-aircraft gun. In 1940, production of the Sd.Kfz modification began. 10 Ausf. B with a reinforced rear hull, which made it possible to tow a 75 mm Pak 40 anti-tank gun or a 105 mm leFH 18 howitzer.

Creation and production of anti-aircraft self-propelled guns

The idea of ​​mounting a 20-mm anti-aircraft gun on a tractor platform, as they say, was in the air from the very early stages of development of the Sd.Kfz. 10. This solution made it possible to significantly reduce the time it took to transfer anti-aircraft guns from a traveling position to a combat position and thereby solve the problem of covering motorized columns on the march.

Prototype 20-mm self-propelled gun on chassis D II 3. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

In 1938, a prototype of the ZSU was created using the D II 3 chassis, one of the Sd.Kfz prototypes. 10. A 20-mm Flak 30 anti-aircraft gun was installed on its cargo platform on a standard carriage. When placed in a combat position, the lattice metal sides of the platform were folded back and fixed horizontally, making the work of the crew more convenient. Field tests of the self-propelled gun were quite successful, and in the same 1938, serial production of the Sd.Kfz self-propelled gun began. 10/4 on a serial D7 chassis.

The first order, which provided for the production of 370 units (195 for the ground forces, and 175 for the Luftwaffe), was completed by July 1939. According to T. Jentz, during 1940 another order for 1000 Sd.Kfz ZSUs was completed. 10/4 for the ground forces, and 225 for the Luftwaffe, and then until March 1942, these self-propelled guns were produced at a rate of 20-25 units per month. In addition, in 1943-1944, 962 Sd.Kfz self-propelled guns were produced. 10/5, armed with a 20 mm Flak 38 cannon.

Anti-aircraft guns | Germany

Anti-aircraft gun 20-mm MG-151/20 Drilling

20-mm triple anti-aircraft gun "MG-151/20 Drilling", created on the basis of the aircraft gun "MG-151/20" by combining single-barreled guns into one installation. The total ammunition capacity of the installation was 3000 rounds. The installations were equipped with armored vehicles, armored boats, railway armored platforms, etc. A total of 5,114 units were produced. In addition, the units produced semi-makeshift installations with MG-151 guns. In total, about 15 thousand performance characteristics of the installation were redone: caliber - 20 mm; length – 1.7 m; trunk length – 1.1 m; single-barreled gun weight – 42 kg; rate of fire - 750 rounds per minute; projectile weight - 115 kg; initial speed – 725 m/s; ammunition - 20x82 mm: ammunition - belt in boxes (450 rounds per central barrel, 240 per side); effective firing range – 600 m.

Anti-aircraft gun 2 cm Flak-28

The 20-mm automatic anti-aircraft gun of the 1934 model was produced by order of Swiss Germany under the designation “2-cm Flak 28/29” in various versions - from towed guns to twin installations on ships and self-propelled guns. Approximately about 3 thousand guns were supplied. Performance characteristics of the most common version: caliber - 20 mm; length – 2.2 m; weight – 68 kg; rate of fire - from 300 to 650 shots depending on the gun version; maximum firing range – 4.4 km, effective – 1.1 km; ammunition - 20x110mm; ammunition - magazine for 30 rounds of ammunition; initial speed – 830 m/s; projectile weight - 120 g.

Towed anti-aircraft gun 20-mm FlaK-30

Anti-aircraft gun 20-mm Flak-30

The Flak-30 gun was developed and began to enter service with the Air Force in 1934. The anti-aircraft gun was equipped with a mechanical computational sight of high quality and accuracy. The gun was exported to Holland and China. TTX guns: caliber 20 mm; length – 2.3 m; width – 1.8 m; height – 1.6 m; trunk length – 1.3 m; weight in combat position - 450 kg, in stowed position - 770 kg; projectile weight – 120 g; ammunition supply – magazine for 20 ammunition (20×138B); initial speed – 900 m/s; rate of fire - 480 rounds per minute; effective range - 4.8 km, armor penetration - 9 mm at a distance of 1,000 m; calculation – 7 people.

Anti-aircraft gun 20-mm Flakzwilling 36

The quadruple installation "Flak-36 Vierling" was created on the basis of the "Flak-30". It was installed in truck bodies, on armored vehicles and also had a towed version. TTX: caliber – 20 mm; length – 2.2 m; width - 2.4 m; height – 2.2 m; weight – 1.5 t; rate of fire - 800 rounds per minute; initial speed – 900 m/s; firing range - 4.8 km.

Anti-aircraft gun 20-mm FlaK-38

The gun is the result of modernization of the FlaK-30 gun - the barrel length was reduced by 2 calibers, and the total weight was reduced by 30 kg. The troops began to receive them in 1940. The total number of guns of all modifications produced is about 130 thousand. The gun supplied to Romania was designated “Tunul antiaerian Gustloff, cal. 20 mm, md. 1938". TTX guns: caliber – 20 mm; length – 4 m; width – 1.8 m; height – 1.6 m; weight – 405 kg; projectile weight – 120 g; barrel length - 115 calibers; ammunition supply - 20 (20x138V) ammunition in the magazine; initial speed – 900 m/s; rate of fire - 480 rounds per minute; effective range - 2.2 km, armor penetration - 9 mm at a distance of 1000 m.

Anti-aircraft gun 20-mm FlaKvierling 38

"FlaKvierling" is a quad version of the "20-mm FlaK-38" anti-aircraft gun. The installation was used both stationary and towed, and was also installed on self-propelled guns, ships, etc. A total of 2,140 units were produced. TTX guns: caliber – 20 mm; length – 4 m; width – 1.8 m; height - 1.6 m; weight – 1.5 t; trunk length – 1.3 m; projectile weight – 120 g; ammunition supply - magazine for 20 ammunition (20x138V); initial speed – 900 m/s; rate of fire - 1,800 rounds per minute; effective range - 2.2 km, armor penetration - 9 mm at a distance of 1,000 m.

Anti-aircraft mountain gun 2-cm Flak-38

The 20-mm Gebirgsflak 38 cannon is a lightweight copy of the 2-cm Flak-38 cannon, intended for use in mountain conditions and was put into service in 1942. The cannon had a small shield and a two-wheel pneumatic drive. It could be transported either by tow or disassembled into several parts for separate transportation. The gun had a dual purpose, i.e. It was used against both air and ground targets. TTX guns: caliber – 20 mm; weight in transport position 374 kg; weight in combat position - 276 kg; length in transport position – 3.6 m; trunk length - 1.4 m; width – 1.2 m; ammunition - 20x138 mm; ammunition - magazine for 20 rounds; calculation – 4 people.

Anti-aircraft gun 3 cm Flak-103/38

Quadruple installation - Flakvierling-103/38

The Flak-103 gun was created by superimposing a 30 mm MK-103 aircraft cannon onto the carriage of a 20 mm Flak-38 automatic anti-aircraft gun. The design uses components and mechanisms of Flak-30/38 anti-aircraft installations. In addition to single guns, a quadruple installation “Flakvierling-103/38” was developed. The chassis of the Pz-IV tank was equipped with a turret with a twin system of 30 mm guns, which was called the Kugelblitz. A total of 189 guns were manufactured. In addition to the Flak-103/38, the MK-303 Br anti-aircraft gun was also created on the basis of the MK-103, which was distinguished by an even higher initial projectile speed (1,080 m/s). 222 such guns were produced. TTX guns: caliber – 30 mm; length – 2.4 m; trunk length – 1.3 m; weight in combat position - 619 kg, in stowed position - 879 kg; the initial speed of a fragmentation projectile is 900 m/s, an armor-piercing projectile is 800 m/s; rate of fire - 250 rounds per minute; firing range - 5.7 km; projectile weight - 815 g; ammunition supply - magazine for 30 - 40 ammunition; ground clearance - 430 mm; calculation – 5 people; transportation speed – up to 60 km/h.

Anti-aircraft gun 3.7-cm FlaK-18

Anti-aircraft gun 3.7 cm FlaK-37

3.7 cm FlaK-37 cannon mounted on a tractor platform

3.7 cm FlaK-37 cannon mounted on a tank chassis

The gun was developed on the basis of the ST-10 cannon and put into service in 1935. Firing was carried out from a pedestal carriage that had a cruciform base resting on the ground. In the stowed position, the gun was mounted on a four-axle cart, and later on a four-frame carriage with a detachable two-wheeled cart. The guns were equipped with a shield cover to protect them from bullets and shrapnel. The “Flak-36” modification differed from the basic “Flak-18” model by reducing its weight to 1,550 kg. weighing in combat position and up to 2,400 kg. in marching mode. After equipping the gun with the “Flakvisier-37” sight, it received the designation “3.7-cm Flak-37”. The gun was widely used by the troops, both on standard frames and on railway platforms and vehicles - armored and unarmored under the designation “37-mm Flak-36/37”. 123 of these guns were installed on the ZSU of an 8-ton half-track tractor. Guns were also installed on the chassis of decommissioned tanks. A total of 12 thousand guns were fired. TTX guns: caliber – 37 mm; length – 5.5 m; width – 2.4 m; height – 2.1 m; barrel length - 98 klb; weight in stowed position - 3.5 tons, in stowed position - 1.7 kg; projectile weight – 635 g; ammunition supply - magazine for 6 or 8 ammunition; initial speed – 820 m/s; rate of fire - 160 rounds per minute; maximum firing range – 13.7 km; effective range – 4.8 km; armor penetration - 25 mm at a distance of 1,000 m.

Anti-aircraft gun 3.7-cm Flak-43 Zwilling

Anti-aircraft gun 3.7 cm Flakzwilling 43

The Flak-43 cannon was created on the basis of the FlaK-18, from which it had a higher rate of fire. It was put into service in 1943. A modification of the gun was the two-gun mount “3.7-cm Flakzwilling 43”, which had two machine guns located one above the other. A total of 5918 units were produced. Under the designation "Tunul antiaerian Rheinmetall, cal. 37 mm, md. 1939" gun was used by Romanian troops. TTX guns: caliber 37 mm; weight in stowed position - 2 tons, in combat position - 1.2 tons, 2-barrel installation - 2.5 tons; length – 3.4 m; width – 2.4 m; height – 2.4 m; trunk length – 2.1 m; projectile weight - 635 g; rate of fire - 150-230 rounds per minute; rate of fire of a dual installation - 300-360 rounds per minute; initial speed – 770-1150 m/s; maximum firing range - 6.5 km; effective range – 4.7 km; ammunition supply – magazine for 8 rounds of ammunition; armor penetration - 24 mm at a distance of 1000 m.

Anti-aircraft gun 3.7 cm SK C/30

The 37-mm twin automatic cannon "SK C/30" was produced and entered service in 1935. The gun was used on almost all warships until 1944. A modification is known under the designation "3.7-cm SK C/30U" for submarines. The gun was often equipped with a cover shield 8 mm thick. The gun's ammunition included tracer and high-explosive shells. In total, about 1.6 thousand guns were fired. TTX guns: caliber – 37 mm; height – 2.5 m; trunk length – 2.9 m; installation weight – 3.6 t; barrel weight with bolt - 243 kg; ammunition weight - 2.1 kg; projectile weight - 742 g; projectile length – 162 mm; initial speed – 1,000 m/s; rate of fire - 30 rounds per minute; maximum firing range – 8 km; calculation – 6 people.

Anti-aircraft gun 3.7 cm Flak-M42

The 3.7-cm Flak-M42 naval anti-aircraft gun was produced since 1942 on the basis of the 3.7-cm/83 SK C/30. Unlike its predecessor, it had a higher rate of fire and a lighter shield. The gun was produced in single and double-barreled versions with separate ammunition supply. The guns were installed on small ships and submarines. In total, about 1.4 thousand guns were fired. TTX guns: caliber – 37 mm; trunk length – 2.6 m; installation weight – 1.3 t; barrel weight with bolt - 240 kg; ammunition weight - 3 kg; projectile weight - 1.4 kg; projectile length – 162 mm; initial speed – 865 m/s; rate of fire - 250 rounds per minute; maximum firing range – 7 km; ammunition 2 thousand rounds; calculation – 6 people.

50-mm FlaK-41 anti-aircraft gun on wheels

The 50-mm Flak-41 anti-aircraft gun was put into service in 1941 and entered service with the light anti-aircraft divisions of the Luftwaffe. "Flak-41" was produced in two versions. The stationary gun was intended for the defense of strategically important objects. The mobile anti-aircraft gun moved on a biaxial carriage. In the stowed position, the installation was transported on a four-wheeled cart. In a combat position, both moves were rolled back. If necessary, the gun was also used to fire at light tanks and armored vehicles.

Stationary installation of a 50-mm anti-aircraft gun FlaK-41

Despite the relatively large caliber, the 50 mm shells lacked power. In addition, the flashes of the shots blinded the gunner, even on a clear sunny day. The carriage turned out to be too bulky and inconvenient in real combat conditions. The horizontal aiming mechanism was too weak and worked slowly. A total of 94 guns were fired. TTX guns: caliber – 50 mm; length – 8.5 m; width – 4.6 m; height – 2.36 m; weight in traveling position - 5.5 tons, in combat position - 3.1 tons; projectile weight - 2.3 kg; initial speed – 840 m/s; rate of fire - 130 rounds per minute; firing range – 12 km; ammunition supply - magazine for 5-10 shots; calculation – 5 people; the time it takes to transfer the gun from traveling to firing position is 1 minute.

Anti-aircraft gun 5.5-cm Flak - 58

"Flak-58" is a prototype built in 1944 in which many technical solutions characteristic of post-war anti-aircraft guns were implemented. The carriage had sprung wheel travel and pneumatic tires. Guidance was carried out automatically according to PUAZO commands by the gunner using electro-hydraulic drives or by the gunner using mechanical guidance drives and an optical sight (when firing at ground targets). Hydraulic jacks were used to transfer the gun to the firing position from the traveling position. A total of 2 guns were built. TTX guns: caliber – 55 mm; installation length – 8.5 m; width – 3.4 m; trunk length – 5.8 m; weight in traveling position - 5.5 tons, in combat position - 2.9 tons; ammunition weight - 5 kg; mass of high-explosive fragmentation projectile - 2 kg; initial speed – 1,070 m/s; rate of fire - 140 rounds per minute; firing range – 12 km; calculation – 5 people.

Anti-aircraft gun 7.5 cm Flak -L/60

The 75 mm L/60 gun was developed in 1930 on the basis of the 7.5 cm Flak-L/59 gun, which was not put into production. In 1938, it began production of L/60 for the fleet and for export. The gun was produced both on wheels and in the form of stationary installations. Variants of self-propelled units are known. In Norway the gun was designated “7.5 cm Flak-L/45 MK32”, in France – “7.5 cm Flak- M17/34”. About 50 guns were used in Germany. TTX guns: caliber – 75 mm; trunk length – 4.4 m; weight in combat position - 2.9 tons; initial speed – 800 m/s; rate of fire - 15 rounds per minute; firing range – 9 km; projectile weight - 6.6 kg.

Naval gun 8.8-cm SK C/30 naval gun

The dual-purpose weapon was adopted in 1933 and was installed on hunters, submarines and auxiliary ships. The anti-aircraft modification of 1941 is known - “KM-41”. A total of 670 guns were used. Performance characteristics of the gun: caliber – 88 mm; trunk length - 3.9 m; barrel weight - 5.6 tons; weight – 1.2 t; projectile weight – 10 kg; projectile length – 385 mm; initial speed – 790 m/s; rate of fire - 15 shots; firing range - 14 km.

Anti-aircraft gun 8.8-cm SK C/31

The ship's gun was put into service in 1933 and was installed on Lutzow-class ships in turret mounts. Performance characteristics of the gun: caliber – 88 mm; length – 6.9 m; trunk length – 6.3 m; installation weight – 27 tons; gun weight – 4.2 tons; ammunition weight - 18.5 kg; projectile weight - 9.4 kg; charge weight – 4.5 kg; initial speed – 950 m/s; rate of fire - 20 rounds per minute; firing range - 17.8 km.

Anti-aircraft gun 8.8-cm SK C/32

The ship's gun was put into service in 1934 and was installed on light cruisers. Performance characteristics of the gun: caliber – 88 mm; height – 3.4 m; trunk length – 6.3 m; installation weight – 23 t; weight – barrel 3.6 t; ammunition weight - 15.2 kg; projectile weight - 9.3 kg; charge weight – 2.9 kg; projectile length – 397 mm; initial speed – 950 m/s; rate of fire - 20 rounds per minute; ammunition - 400 rounds; firing range - 18.8 km.

Anti-aircraft gun 8.8-cm SK C/35

The naval gun was put into service in 1938 to equip submarines, minesweepers and merchant ships. Performance characteristics of the gun: caliber – 88 mm; length – 4 m; height – 3.2 m; trunk length – 3.7 m; installation weight – 5.3 t; gun weight – 776 kg; ammunition weight - 15 kg; projectile weight - 10.2 kg; charge weight – 2.1 kg; projectile length – 385 mm; initial speed – 700 m/s; rate of fire - 15 rounds per minute; firing range - 12 km.

Anti-aircraft gun 8.8-cm SK L/45

The gun was put into service in 1906 and was installed on destroyers and torpedo boats. Performance characteristics of the gun: caliber – 88 mm; trunk length – 4 m; weight – 2.5 t; ammunition weight - 15 kg; projectile weight – 10 kg; projectile length – 385 mm; initial speed – 790 m/s; rate of fire - 15 rounds per minute; firing range – 14 km.

FlaK-18 anti-aircraft gun

Mass production of the 88-mm caliber gun began in 1932 at Krupp factories under the designation “Flak-18”. The gun was transported using a two-axle trailer, the rear axle of which had double wheels, and the front axle had single wheels. The first use of the gun occurred in Spain, where it was also used to fight tanks. The values ​​of elevation angle, rotation and fuse installation necessary for firing at air targets were determined by the fire control device and transmitted to the gun to a tube transmitting device through a 108-core cable. The same information could be transmitted to the gunner by telephone. The 88 mm FlaK-18/36/37 anti-aircraft gun served as a model for the creation of anti-tank guns and tank guns for Tiger tanks.

FlaK-36 anti-aircraft gun

The Flak-36 cannon was produced since 1935 and differed from the prototype in its simplified carriage design and improved barrel. Created a year later, the next modification, Flak-37, had an improved fire control system. In 1940, guns of all modifications were equipped with armored shields. The Flak-36 gun was a combined gun that could be used to combat air and ground targets, while the Flak-37 was manufactured as an anti-aircraft gun, permanently installed in batteries of four guns in fortified positions and was not equipped with trolleys for transportation.

FlaK-37 anti-aircraft gun

Most gun assemblies mod. 18, 36 and 37 were interchangeable. A total of 20.7 thousand guns were produced. The tactical and technical characteristics of these modifications approximately correspond to the characteristics of the Flak-18. Unitary ammunition was used for shooting. Fragmentation shells with a remote fuse were used against aircraft. The initial speed of such a projectile was 820 m/sec, with a projectile weight of 9 kg, the explosive charge was 0.87 kg. The Pzgr-40 armor-piercing projectile penetrated 123 mm thick armor at a distance of 1500 m, and the cumulative “HL-Gr 39” projectile penetrated 90 mm at a distance of 3000 m. Under the designation “Tunul antiaerian Krupp, cal. 88 mm, md. 1936" gun was delivered to Romania. TTX guns: caliber – 88 mm; barrel length - 56 klb; length – 4.9 m; width – 2.3 m; height – 2.3 m; weight in traveling position - 8.2 tons, in combat position - 4.9 tons; rate of fire - 20 rounds per minute; effective range – 9 km; calculation – 11 people.

FlaK-41 anti-aircraft gun

The 88-mm Flak-41 cannon was developed in 1939 and only began to enter service with the troops in 1943. The gun was transported by mechanical traction using two single-axle bogies similar to the Flak-36. A total of 279 guns were produced. For Flak-41, 5 types of projectiles were developed: 2 high-explosive fragmentation shells with various types of fuses and 3 armor-piercing ones. Initial projectile speed: fragmentation projectile with a mass of 9.4 kg - 1,000 m/s; armor-piercing with a mass of 10 kg - 980 m/s.

Armor penetration at a distance of 1000 m: armor-piercing projectile - 159 mm, sub-caliber projectile - 192 mm. TTX guns: caliber - 88 mm; length – 6.5 m; width – 2.4 m; height – 2.6 m; trunk length – 6.5 m; weight in combat position - 7.8 tons, in stowed position - 11.2 tons; rate of fire - 25 rounds per minute; maximum firing range - 20 km, effective range - 12.3 km.

Flak-38 anti-aircraft gun

Shipborne anti-aircraft gun 10.5-cm SK C/33

Anti-aircraft gun 105-mm Flak-39

The 105-mm gun was developed as a naval anti-aircraft gun under the designation “10.5-cm SK C/33” and was put into service in 1935. It was installed on cruisers and large ships. At the end of 1937, its land version was adopted to protect cities, enterprises and bases from air raids under the designation “Flak-38”. The gun was mounted on railway platforms, stationary positions and on ordinary carriages. The carriage had a cross-shaped frame arrangement - this made it possible to conduct all-round fire with an elevation angle of up to 85°. DC electric motors were used to aim the gun at the target. In 1940, the troops began to receive Flak-39 cannons, which differed from the Flak-38 in the design of the carriage and the fact that AC motors were installed rather than DC. A total of 4,045 guns were fired. TTX guns: caliber – 105 mm; length – 8.4 m; width – 2.4 m; height – 2.9 m, trunk length – 6.8 m; weight of a two-gun ship installation - 27.8 tons, weight of a land gun in firing position - 10.2 tons, in stowed position - 14.6 tons; gun barrel weight - 4.5 tons; ammunition weight - 26.5 kg; projectile weight – 15 kg; charge weight – 5.2 kg; explosive mass – 1.5 kg; projectile length - 438 mm; initial speed – 880-900 m/s; rate of fire - 15-18 rounds per minute; firing range - 17.7 km; armor penetration - 138 mm at a distance of 1,500 m.

Anti-aircraft gun 128-mm Flak-40

The 128-mm Flak-40 anti-aircraft gun was put into service at the end of 1941. It served to protect the most important objects on the territory of the Third Reich and was installed on stationary positions and railway platforms, sometimes on wheeled carriages. The Flak-40 is an electrified weapon with power motors for the fuze setter, rammer and each guidance mechanism. To provide the guns with electricity, each battery had an autonomous electric generator with a capacity of 48 kW. Fire control was carried out using a control device. The design of the carriage and the guidance mechanisms made it possible to give the barrel a maximum elevation angle of 87°, and circular fire was ensured in the horizontal plane. The gun was fired using unitary shots with fragmentation shells. Technically, the cannon provided an altitude reach of 14.8 km, but the remote fuse allowed firing only up to 12.8 km. The gun could also fire armor-piercing shells that penetrated armor up to 157 mm thick at a distance of 1500 m. However, these shells were mainly used in Jagdtiger tank destroyers armed with modified Flak-40 anti-aircraft guns. A total of 1,129 guns were manufactured. TTX guns: caliber – 128 mm; length – 7.8 m; width – 2.5 m; height – 3.5 m; weight in combat position - 17 tons, in stowed position - 26 tons; rate of fire - 14 rounds per minute; fragmentation projectile weight - 26 kg, armor-piercing projectile 28.3 kg; initial speed – 875 m/s; calculation of 5 people.

128-mm twin anti-aircraft gun Flak-40

The "128-mm Flak-40 Zwilling" (twin) was developed to increase the density of anti-aircraft fire. The gun was produced from 1942 and entered service with Luftwaffe units. In total, at least 33 guns were fired. Structurally, it consisted of two barrels of a 128-mm Flak-40 cannon, mounted on the same carriage with common guidance mechanisms. However, each barrel had its own device for installing a fuse and an independent loading system. TTX guns: caliber – 128 mm; length – 7.8 m; width – 5 m; height 2.9 m; barrel length - 61 klb; weight – 27 t; initial speed – 880 m/s; firing range - 20 km; projectile weight - 26 kg; rate of fire - 28 rounds per minute.

150 mm Flak -50 anti-aircraft gun

The created 150-mm anti-aircraft gun "Flak-50" was a fully electrified gun with an electro-hydraulic guidance system and an automatic loading system with a rammer and ammunition lifter.
For transportation it had to be disassembled into 4 parts: the frame, the lower part of the carriage, the upper part of the carriage and the barrel. For this reason, it was intended to be used in stationary firing positions. Performance characteristics of the gun: caliber - 149.1 mm; weight – 22.2 t; rate of fire - 10 rounds per minute; mass of fragmentation projectile - 40 kg; initial speed - 890 m/s; vertical firing range - 15.2 km. Share to:

ZSU design

Chassis and power plant Sd.Kfz. 10/4 were the same as the base model. The design of the front part of the body with the hood and driver's cabin also differed little from the tractor - except that holders for the crew's personal weapons (Mauser 98k carbines) appeared on the wings. In addition, sometimes a counterweight was installed in front of the hood. The most significant differences were in the design of the cargo platform. Its side and rear sides were made in the form of a frame made of steel corners, covered with a steel mesh (in the combat position they reclined to a horizontal position).

Projections of the Sd.Kfz ZSU. 10/4. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

The self-propelled gun was armed with a 20-mm Flak 30 cannon (from 1941 - Flak 38), mounted on a cargo platform on its standard carriage - a triangular base with three coulters. Initially, the gun was quick-detachable: it could be removed from the chassis by crew forces or installed back. For this purpose, the ZSU kit included special guides, and two blocks were installed in the upper corners of the front wall of the cargo platform. Mounting the anti-aircraft gun on the platform required the efforts of five people: two of them pulled the cables wound onto blocks, another pushed the gun from behind. A trained crew coped with this procedure in 20 seconds. However, later the guides and blocks were abandoned: practice has shown that the need to remove the anti-aircraft gun from the chassis arises infrequently.

Chassis ZSU Sd.Kfz. 10/4 (late release). Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

Characteristics of the guns used in the Sd.Kfz. 10/4 and Sd.Kfz. 10/5, are given in the table:

The gun was supplied with ammunition from magazines with a capacity of 20 rounds. The ammunition carried was 260 rounds and was placed in containers on the sides of the platform. In addition, the self-propelled gun could tow a single-axle Sd.Anh trailer. 51 with a carrying capacity of 700 kg (which is also a standard carriage for Flak 30 and Flak 38 anti-aircraft guns) with 640 anti-aircraft cartridges. Other types of single-axle trailers were also used: Sd.Anh. 53 (585 kg payload), used in anti-aircraft artillery, or Sd.Anh. 32, originally designed to transport ammunition for 37 mm anti-tank guns.

ZSU Sd.Kfz. 10/4 with expanded awning and trailer Sd.Anh. 51. A counterweight is installed in front of the hood. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

Part of Sd.Kfz vehicles. 10/5 of later production received partial armor protection in the form of 8-mm sheets that covered the engine radiator and the front projection of the cabin.

ZSU variant with partial armoring of the cabin and engine. The sides are folded back into a combat position. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

Small-caliber station wagon

20 mm Flak 30

and
Flak 38
were the most popular weapons of the Wehrmacht: the total volume of their production was almost 130,000 copies. Easy to manufacture and reliable in operation, they have found use in both ground forces and Luftwaffe air defense units. Conceived as a means of combating low-flying aircraft, 20-mm machine guns were also used to destroy ground targets with some success.

In 1914-1915, two samples of 20-mm automatic cannons appeared in Germany, developed to participate in the War Ministry competition for an aircraft cannon with a caliber of less than 37 mm and weighing no more than 70 kg. Reinhold Becker's gun was replicated in half a thousand copies; Heinrich Erhardt's competing product turned out to be not so widespread - its production volume did not exceed several dozen units. The Treaty of Versailles banned the production of such guns in Germany, and they “emigrated” to Switzerland. Here, the production of Becker's guns was undertaken, and Erhardt's gun was improved by Solothurn engineers.

The Reichswehr's 20-mm automatic anti-aircraft guns "Oerlikon" appeared in 1932, when 200 copies of Flak 28 (on a tripod machine with a detachable wheel drive) and Flak 29 (on a pedestal carriage) were purchased in Switzerland. Subsequently, the fleet of anti-aircraft Oerlikons was replenished with Czechoslovakian VZKP vz. 36 (165 copies) and Dutch 2 tl no. 1 (120). As for Erhardt’s system, it turned out to be much more popular in the Wehrmacht.

Flak 28 in position for firing at ground targets topwar.ru

Flak 30

In 1934, production of the modified Solothurn ST-5 anti-aircraft gun began in Berlin and Breslau, adopted by the Wehrmacht under the designation Flak 30. The gun's automation was based on the use of recoil of the barrel and bolt with a short recoil of the barrel. The valve is a horizontal wedge. The monoblock barrel with a flame arrester was easily removable, and the gun kit included three spare barrels, transported in a special metal (at the end of the war - wooden) case. The barrel length was 1300 mm (65 calibers). The barrel had eight right-hand rifling with a pitch of 36 calibers. Ammunition was supplied from a magazine with a capacity of 20 rounds, inserted on the left side. The trigger of the gun is foot-operated. The trigger mechanism allows for single or automatic fire (when the right or left pedal is pressed, respectively).

Flak 30 in stowed position lonesentry.com

The gun carriage consisted of a cradle, as well as upper and lower machines. The gunner's seat and the base for the sight are attached to the upper machine. Aiming mechanisms are manual (horizontal aiming is two-speed). The vertical guidance handwheel is located on the right side of the upper machine, the horizontal one is located at the rear (its rotation axis is oriented vertically). The lower machine is a triangular metal base with screw jacks at the corners, allowing you to quickly level the installation.

A single-axle Sd.Anh trailer was used to transport the Flak 30. 51. If necessary, it was possible to fire without removing the gun from the trailer. This method was used almost exclusively for firing at ground targets.

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Bringing Flak 30 into combat position Bundesarchiv

Bringing Flak 30 into combat position Bundesarchiv

The sight is mounted on a base that can be located on either the left or right side of the upper machine. Initially, the Flak 30 was equipped with a simple Linealvisier 21 mechanical sight. It allowed the gun to be aimed at an aerial target moving at speeds from 125 to 430 km/h. However, with an increase in the maximum speed of aircraft, more complex sights began to be used - for example, the Flakvisier 35 collimator sight. In September 1941, the Germans adopted the Linealvisier 38/40 combined sight, and began to use the Zielfernrohr 3x8º Flak telescopic sight for shooting at ground targets. Additionally, to control the fire, a stereoscopic rangefinder Enternunngsmesser 1 m R36 with a base of 1 m and a measurement range from 500 to 10,000 m was used. It was mounted on a special machine, worn on the shoulders of the rangefinder. In addition, the interaction of 20-mm anti-aircraft guns with a 60-cm Flak SW 36 searchlight was envisaged. It was installed on a base that was a lower Flak 30 machine and transported on a Sd.Anh trailer. 51. However, in practice, searchlights were extremely rarely used in conjunction with 20-mm anti-aircraft guns.

On July 16, 1941, in connection with the widespread use of 20-mm anti-aircraft guns on the Eastern Front for shelling ground targets, instructions were given to equip these guns with armored shields. First of all, they were equipped with Flak 38, produced from factories, but later the shields also appeared on the Flak 30 available to the troops. The shield consisted of several parts 4 mm thick and was easily removable. When firing at air targets, the use of the shield was not recommended, because it weighed 112 kg, and its installation on the gun reduced the speed of horizontal aiming.

Shield cover was useful when firing at ground targets Bundesarchiv

The Flak 30 ammunition included fragmentation and incendiary fragmentation shells of several types weighing 115-120 g (unit shot weight - 294-300 g) with impact-delayed fuses with a self-destruct for 5 or 6 seconds (approximately 1900 m). To combat armored targets, armor-piercing and armor-piercing incendiary projectiles weighing from 100 to 148 g were used (shot weight - 285-327 g).

Flak 38

In 1938-1939, under the leadership of Friedrich Lindner, the Flak 38 anti-aircraft gun was created, which was a significantly modified Flak 30. The ballistics did not undergo changes, but by reducing the weight of the moving parts and increasing the speed of their movement, it was possible to increase the reliability of the machine gun, as well as increase the technical rate of fire from 300 to 420-480 rds/min. The vertical aiming mechanism became two-speed, and the elevation angle was increased from 85 to 90º. The magazine capacity was increased to 40 rounds. On the right side of the gun it was possible to install a mesh basket for spent cartridges.

Flak 38 with basket for spent cartridges Bundesarchiv

In the design of a number of components, scarce materials were replaced with more accessible ones, while managing to reduce the weight of the gun by 30 kg (this was achieved, in particular, by replacing the welded parts of the lower machine with stamped ones).

Despite the relatively small dimensions and weight of the Flak 38, even more compact anti-aircraft guns were required for mountain rifle and airborne units. In 1939-1940, the Gebirgsflak 38 mountain anti-aircraft gun was developed, and a little later, its version for paratroopers with the designation Gebirgsflak 38 mit Sonderausstattung für Fallschirmtruppe.

The main difference between the mountain anti-aircraft gun and the conventional one was the tripod carriage, developed on the basis of the Solothurn ST-5 gun carriage. A Sd.Anh trailer was not used for transportation. 51, but two removable wheels attached directly to the carriage. The track of the Gebirgsflak 38 was significantly narrower than that of the Flak 38 - this made it easier to transport the anti-aircraft gun along mountain paths. The armor shield had a reduced size and a simplified design. Depending on the sight, Gebirgsflak 38 weighed from 406 to 468 kg, that is, approximately 35% less than Flak 38. The modification of Gebirgsflak 38 for paratroopers was easily disassembled - for landing it was disassembled into 17 (later 10) parts.

Using the Flak 38 machine gun, one of the most effective small-caliber anti-aircraft guns of World War II was created - the four-barreled Flakvierling 38, which deserves a separate story. In addition, Flak 30 and Flak 38 were mounted on a variety of chassis - Pz.Kpfw tanks. I and Pz.Kpfw. 38(t), one-ton half-track tractors Sd.Kfz. 10 and different types of cars.

One of the many improvisations: Gebirgsflak 38 on a Kfz Schwimmwagen chassis. 166 worldwarphotos.info

As of September 1, 1939, the ground forces and the Luftwaffe had 6072 Flak 30 and Flak 38 assault rifles. Their further deliveries are shown in the table:

* - this line indicates the number of machines, not installations

Service

In the Wehrmacht ground forces, Flak 30 anti-aircraft guns entered service with individual machine gun battalions. When mobilization was announced, they formed companies that were transferred to divisions. In September 1939, such companies were available in almost all infantry divisions of the 1st wave of formation, some formations of the 2nd wave, as well as motorized and tank divisions. As of September 1, 1939, the ground forces had 47 companies of 20-mm anti-aircraft guns.

In the division, a company of 20 mm guns was included in the motorized anti-tank division as its 4th company (the other three were armed with 37 mm anti-tank guns). This was explained, first of all, by logistics considerations - both anti-tank and anti-aircraft companies used Krupp and Protze tractors, only of different modifications (Kfz. 69 in anti-tank and Kfz. 81 in anti-aircraft). Subsequently, this unification gradually disappeared: Kfz vehicles began to be used to tow 37 mm guns. 12, and for 20-mm anti-aircraft guns - Sd.Kfz. 10. However, the anti-aircraft company was still part of the anti-tank battalion.

Flak 30, equipped with a shield, in position above the Berezina Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe

The anti-aircraft company included a control platoon (a control section with a Kfz. 15 vehicle, a telephone section and four radio communication sections with Kfz. 2/2 vehicles), as well as three fire platoons. The fire platoon had its own control and supply organs, being a largely autonomous unit. It included a control section (three motorcycles and two Kfz. 15 vehicles), an ammunition supply section (two Kfz. 81 with single-axle Sd.Anh. 32 trailers) and a firing section (four anti-aircraft guns and four Kfz. 81 tractors). In total, the company had twelve 20-mm anti-aircraft guns. It is worth mentioning another type of units armed with 20-mm anti-aircraft guns - four-gun batteries, which were available in some artillery reconnaissance divisions. Their task was to cover the positions of tethered observation balloons, which were always a tasty target for enemy fighters.

In 1939, 20-mm cannons were the only air defense means of the Wehrmacht ground forces. In subsequent years, heavier artillery systems appeared, but Flak 30 and Flak 38 still remained the most popular. For example, as of May 1, 1944, the Wehrmacht ground forces had 6,355 single-barreled and 925 quadruple 20-mm guns, 775 37-mm cannons and 574 88-mm guns in the RGK divisions and units.

Flak 30 of one of the mountain rifle divisions in battle in the Caucasus. September 1942 Bundesarchiv

Even before the start of the Polish campaign, it was clear to the Wehrmacht command that a dozen anti-aircraft guns per division operating in the main direction was clearly not enough to provide reliable cover. First of all, this concerned motorized units that stretched for many kilometers. A solution was found in strengthening the ground forces with motorized anti-aircraft divisions from the Luftwaffe. Already in September 1939, the Germans deployed seven light divisions armed with 20-mm cannons in battle. In units that had 88-mm anti-aircraft guns, 20-mm guns were used to repel attacks by low-flying aircraft. According to the staff, the four-gun motorized battery of 88-mm anti-aircraft guns also had three 20-mm cannons. In many cases (primarily in North Africa), 88-mm guns fired almost exclusively at ground targets, and twenty-millimeter guns protected them from air attacks.

Flak 38 crew at a firing position. White rings on the gun barrel indicate downed aircraft waralbum.ru

In the air defense system of the Third Reich and the occupied territories, 20-mm guns played a secondary role - here the main ones were 88-mm anti-aircraft guns and heavier guns. However, with the increasing activity of British and American fighter-bombers attacking the positions of anti-aircraft batteries and other targets from low-level flights, the importance of small-caliber anti-aircraft artillery increased significantly. As of May 1, 1944, the Luftwaffe had twenty thousand barrels of 20-mm anti-aircraft guns (in the Luftwaffe, unlike the ground forces, records were kept not by installations, but by barrels - that is, the Flakvierling 38 was counted as four barrels). In addition, there were three and a half thousand 37 mm guns, ten thousand 88 mm, about two thousand 105 mm and more than four hundred 128 mm (all this without taking into account captured systems).

Gebirgsflak 38 crew on the march worldwarphotos.info

Export

Flak 30 anti-aircraft guns made their debut in combat during the Spanish Civil War (as part of the Condor Legion). After the withdrawal of German troops, Flak 30 was transferred to the Spaniards, and during World War II, Spain additionally acquired a number of Flak 38. In 1939-1940, 72 (according to other sources, 108) Flak 30 guns were delivered to Greece, which used them to repel Italian aggression.

The story of Flak 30 deliveries to Finland was almost detective-like. In October 1939, this country expressed a desire to purchase one hundred and thirty-four 20-mm anti-aircraft guns from the Rheinmetall concern. The Reich Ministry of Aviation authorized the sale of only seventy Flak 30s. On the night of November 24-25, the first batch of thirty units was sent by sea from Stettin and reached Finland literally on the eve of the start of the Soviet-Finnish War. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact stipulated that the signatory would not supply weapons to states at war with the other party. To get around this ban, on December 1, 1939, the company was founded in Sweden, which became the “buyer” of the remaining anti-aircraft guns. However, a few days later, information appeared in the Swedish press about the transit of Fiat G.50 fighter jets purchased by Finland from Italy through German territory. This fact caused a protest from the USSR People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs Vyacheslav Molotov, announced on December 9. As a result, arms supplies from Germany had to be stopped. By that time, the Germans had managed to send twenty more Flak 30s, but the last batch of twenty such systems never reached Finland.

Anti-aircraft gun 20 Itk/30 in the Finnish army. Viipuri area, August 1941 SA-kuva

The Flak 30, designated 20 Itk/30 in Finland, demonstrated extremely high efficiency: during the Winter War, according to Finnish data, they shot down 104 Soviet aircraft, using 50,000 rounds of ammunition (an average of 480 rounds per aircraft shot down). In July 1941, twenty-seven Flak 38 anti-aircraft guns (20 Itk/38) were received from Germany, and two years later another forty 20-mm anti-aircraft guns were received (including fifteen Flak 30 on stationary pedestal carriages). The last batch, which arrived in Helsinki on August 18, 1944, included forty 20-mm anti-aircraft guns on stationary carriages and ten on Sd.Anh. 51.

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Anti-aircraft gun 20 Itk/38 in the Finnish army. Karvala, September 1941 SA-kuva

Anti-aircraft gun 20 Itk/38 on a stationary pedestal installation. Kotka, October 1944 SA-kuva

Eighteen Flak 38 cannons were delivered to Hungary in 1944 - they were used to arm the ships of the Danube Flotilla. In the same year, the Romanian army received several dozen Flak 38s.

Trophies and Lend-Lease: Flak 38 on American trucks of the Red Army waralbum.ru
Tactical and technical characteristics of 20-mm anti-aircraft guns

Literature:

1. Bryja M. Artyleria niemiecka 1933-1945. Militaria, 1996
2. Ledwoch J. 2 cm Flak 30/38. Militaria, 2019
3. Müller W. German 20 mm Flak in World War II. Schiffer Publ., 1995
4. Müller W. 2-cm FlaK im Einsätz 1935-1945. Waffen-Arsenal, Band 142
5. Kharuk A.I. Wehrmacht artillery. EXMO, 2010

Organization of units armed with Sd.Kfz. 10/4

The main tactical unit that used light half-tracked self-propelled guns was the light anti-aircraft self-propelled company (Leichte Fliegerabwehr Kompanie Selbstfahrlafette). The staff of such a company is K.St.N. 192 provided for the presence of the following structural elements:

• control (1-2 Kfz. 15 cars and 4 motorcycles);
• communications departments (1 Kfz. 15 car with telephone equipment and 4 Kfz. 2 with radio stations);
• platoon type A - towed anti-aircraft guns (control - 3 Kfz. 15 vehicles and 2 motorcycles; ammunition compartment - 2 Kfz. 81 vehicles with trailers; firing compartment - 4 Flak 30 or Flak 38 anti-aircraft guns, 4 Kfz. 81 vehicles);
• platoon type B - self-propelled (control - 1 Kfz. 15 vehicle and 4 motorcycles; ammunition compartment - 2 Sd.Kfz. 10 tractors with Sd.Anh. 51 trailers; fighting compartment - 4 Sd.Kfz. 10/4 self-propelled guns and 2 trailers Sd. Anh. 51);
• platoon type C - self-propelled (control - 3 Kfz. 15 vehicles and 2 motorcycles; ammunition compartment - 2 Sd.Kfz. 7 tractors with Sd.Anh. 54 trailers; fighting compartment - two 20-mm quad Sd.Kfz. 7/ 1 and 2 trailers Sd.Anh. 54).

The company structure was not rigid: platoons could be combined in various combinations. For example, out of fifty-one light anti-aircraft self-propelled companies assigned to participate in Operation Barbarossa as of June 22, 1941, only ten had regular personnel (one platoon each of types A, B, and C). The remaining companies were organized as follows:

• one type A and two B platoons – ten companies;
• two platoons of type B and one C - eight companies;
• three platoons of type B - twenty-three companies.

Thus, out of the 153 fire platoons that were part of these companies, 20 had towed anti-aircraft guns, 18 had Sd.Kfz ZSU. 7/1, and the remaining 135 were armed with light Sd.Kfz. 10/4.

Light anti-aircraft companies were consolidated into anti-aircraft battalions (six companies), but they were only administrative units. In tactical terms, companies were assigned to divisions (as a rule, tank, less often motorized or infantry) or corps. As of June 22, 1941, 17 such companies were attached to tank divisions, 4 to motorized divisions, 2 to infantry divisions, 15 to corps, and the remaining 19 were in the reserves of armies, tank groups and army groups.

In addition to the companies assigned to the divisions, the ZSU Sd.Kfz. 10/4 were used in the anti-aircraft battalions of the RGK. By the end of 1942, the Wehrmacht had 13 such battalions, 10 of which were self-propelled. Each self-propelled battalion included 4 companies, but their organization was different. In four battalions, the companies had three Type B platoons, and in six, two Type B platoons and one Type C platoon.

ZSU Sd.Kfz. 10/4 from the 609th light anti-aircraft battalion of the RGK. Balkans, spring 1941. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 201

Combat use

12 companies armed with Sd.Kfz self-propelled guns took part in the Polish campaign. 10/4. They were attached to all light divisions (1st to 4th), some tank divisions (1st, 3rd, 4th and Kempf) and motorized divisions (2nd, 13th, 20th and 29th). In 1940, a significantly larger number of such units took part in battles in the West: now they operated not only under divisions, but also at corps and army levels. Both in Poland and in France (and later during the campaign in the Balkans), the anti-aircraft gunners were not too busy with work for their intended purpose, but very quickly they found a new occupation: it turned out that anti-aircraft self-propelled guns with high maneuverability and rate of fire are a good means of direct infantry support. The presence of armor-piercing shells in the ammunition load of 20-mm cannons (and the Flak 30 and Flak 38 were unified in ammunition with the KwK 30 and KwK 38 tank guns) made it possible to fight lightly armored targets.

ZSU Sd.Kfz. 10/4 on the march. France, May 1940. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

Shooting practice of the Sd.Kfz self-propelled gun. 10/4 (3rd company of the 59th battalion) against ground targets. France, 1940. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

Sd.Kfz. 10/4 from the 606th light anti-aircraft battalion of the RGK in a firing position. Libya, 1941. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

The use of Sd.Kfz has become truly widespread. 10/4 (and later Sd.Kfz. 10/5) on the Eastern Front. Here the threat from the air was much more significant than in previous Wehrmacht campaigns. This led to organizational changes. In 1942, a full-time anti-aircraft company was introduced into the tank divisions instead of an attached one. Such a company had eight ZSUs - two Sd.Kfz. 6/2 (37-mm Flak 36 guns on a 5-ton tractor chassis) and six Sd.Kfz. 10/4.

Divisions of other types continued to be content with temporarily assigned anti-aircraft units. Only in 1943 did regular air defense systems appear in four motorized divisions - the 3rd, 16th, 29th and 60th. These divisions were destroyed in encirclement at Stalingrad, and their re-establishment had, in addition to purely military, propaganda significance. Therefore, special attention was paid to their recruitment and armament. Each of the two motorized regiments in these divisions received one company with twelve 20-mm anti-aircraft guns, and in one regiment such a company was self-propelled, and in the other it was mechanized. But that’s not all: a fourth, anti-aircraft division was introduced into the artillery regiments of these divisions (though there were no self-propelled guns in it). The remaining motorized (panzergrenadier) divisions remained without regular air defense systems until the summer of 1944.

One of the first trophies was the Sd.Kfz ZSU. 10/4, captured by the Red Army in the summer of 1941. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

A pair of Sd.Kfz self-propelled guns. 10/4 in firing position. Eastern Front, 1942. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

Sd.Kfz. 10/4 from the 1st Ski Division. Eastern Front, 1944. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

The panzergrenadier and tank divisions of the Waffen SS had much stronger anti-aircraft weapons (compared to the Wehrmacht). Their anti-aircraft divisions had a reinforced composition, and the 20-mm ZSU were moved to the regimental level. The panzergrenadier regiments of these divisions each had an anti-aircraft company with a dozen Sd.Kfz. 10/4, four of the same installations were in the security company of the division headquarters. That is, according to the 1943 staff, the SS tank division had 28 Sd.Kfz anti-aircraft self-propelled guns. 10/4.

Sd.Kfz. 10/4 (with partial armor protection) of one of the anti-aircraft units of the 1st Air Fleet. Eastern Front, 1942. Ledwoch J., Sawicki R. 2 cm Flak 30/38 Sfl Sd Kfz 10/4. – Militaria, 2010

Sd.Kfz. 10/4 from the SS division "Totenkopf". Eastern Front, 1943. worldwarphotos.info

Since January 1944, self-propelled guns on a tank chassis - Flakpanzer 38(t), and then Flakpanzer IV - began to enter service with tank formations. However, they were never able to completely replace the Sd.Kfz. 10/4. Despite the significant losses from aviation suffered at the final stage of the war, these anti-aircraft guns continued to be seen in the army until the defeat of Germany.

American soldiers service the captured Sd.Kfz self-propelled gun. 10/4. waralbum.ru

Anti-aircraft self-propelled gun 2cm FlaK 38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A / Flakpanzer I (Germany)

During the campaign to capture France, the troops of Nazi Germany gained extensive combat experience, which allowed them to draw some conclusions regarding the further development of weapons and military equipment. In particular, it was at this time that the idea of ​​​​building special self-propelled combat vehicles with anti-aircraft weapons, designed to combat enemy aircraft, appeared. The result of this idea was several new armored vehicles, the first of which was the 2cm FlaK 38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A or Flakpanzer I. It should be noted that the first anti-aircraft self-propelled guns appeared with the Wehrmacht during the French campaign. However, at that time we were talking about improvised equipment assembled from existing products. An existing anti-aircraft gun was installed on an existing half-track tractor, which made it possible to protect troops from enemy raids. However, such a homemade solution to the problem had some disadvantages. The main one is the lack of required protection for anti-aircraft gunners. In addition, the overall survivability and other characteristics of such a self-propelled gun left much to be desired. Thus, the troops needed a new combat vehicle, initially designed to solve the assigned tasks.

Preliminary study of the issue showed that the industry has the theoretical possibility of installing anti-aircraft guns on existing protected chassis. At the same time, however, only the outdated light tank Pz.Kpfw.I of the very first modification of the Ausf.A could be used as the basis for such a vehicle. The characteristics of such a chassis made it possible to use only small-caliber artillery systems as weapons, such as the 20-mm FlaK 38 cannon. It was on the basis of these products that it was decided to build a new anti-aircraft self-propelled gun.

Flakpanzer I and its crew. Photo Pvo.guns.ru

At the end of 1940, the final technical specifications for the development of new armored vehicles were drawn up. The Alkett and Daimler-Benz companies were to create a promising project. In addition, the Stöwer company was involved in the project, which proposed some units, and later, apparently, also assembled finished combat vehicles.

It was proposed to use ready-made vehicles and existing weapons as the basis for the new ZSU. Thus, the project turned out to be quite simple from the point of view of development and production. In particular, it was proposed to modify only some details of the basic parts, and their alteration was determined only by the need to install a gun on a tank chassis. No significant modifications to the chassis or gun were required.

When converted into an anti-aircraft self-propelled gun, the base tank had to retain most of the hull. All necessary modifications concerned only the turret box. The roof had to be cut off and the rear wall had to be removed. The front part of the box was moved 200 mm forward. The sides were hinged: in the stowed position they had to be positioned vertically, but if necessary they could be folded to the side, which led to the appearance of a platform for placing crews during combat work. The roof of the engine compartment was also modified, which made it possible to install part of the gun mount mounts on it. The housing protection characteristics, of course, remained the same. The structure, made of sheets of armored steel 5-13 mm thick, could protect the crew and internal units from small arms bullets and artillery shell fragments.

The Pz.Kpfw.I tank had a layout traditional for early German armored vehicles. In the front part of the hull there was a control compartment and some transmission units. In the center was the fighting compartment, under the floor of which a driveshaft passed. The rear of the hull was given over to the engine compartment. Tanks of the early modification "A" were equipped with a four-cylinder carburetor boxer Krupp M305 engine with a power of less than 60 hp. Directly connected to the engine was a gearbox, whose task was to transmit torque to the driveshaft connected to the rest of the transmission units.

Tank Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The chassis of the tank had four road wheels on each side; in addition, the functions of the road wheel were performed by the stern guide wheel. The front pair of road wheels received a balanced suspension with springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. Other rollers, including idler wheels, were interlocked and mounted on a spring suspension with a characteristic external beam. The drive wheels of a relatively large diameter were placed in the front part of the hull. There were three rollers to support the upper branch of the caterpillar.

The driver's workplace has been preserved in the front part of the hull. Other crew members had to be located on the upper platform or, during combat work, on the ground. It is noteworthy that the crew of the new self-propelled gun could consist of five or eight people. A reduced crew was required to fire at ground targets, and a crew of eight people had to fully solve air defense problems.

On the upper platform of the hull, freed up after dismantling the turret and modifying the turret box, there was to be an anti-aircraft gun with a FlaK 38 automatic cannon. For greater ease of operation and possible use without a chassis, the gun retained most of the carriage units. The new project retained the possibility of relatively quickly dismantling the gun and installing it on the ground or on a special towed trailer. In this case, the main method of using the gun was firing directly from the tank chassis.

The FlaK 38 gun had a 20 mm barrel with a length of 65 calibers and could be used to attack air or ground targets. The gun was supposed to use 20x138 mm B shells of several types. The relatively long barrel accelerated projectiles up to 900 m/s, and the automatic equipment used made it possible to fire at a rate of up to 450 rounds per minute. Ammunition was supplied from box magazines holding 20 shells each.

Side view of a self-propelled gun. Picture Pvo.guns.ru

In the design of the new ZSU, the existing gun retained the existing carriage with manual guidance drives. Its design made it possible to fire in any direction in azimuth with an elevation from -11° to +87°. Depending on the type of projectile, effective fire was provided at a range of up to 2.2 km. To protect the gunner, the gun had a shield of a characteristic curved shape, consisting of two main parts. In the space between the halves of the shield there was a movable gun mantlet. The right half of the shield had a small cutout in the upper part, intended for the use of a sight.

It was proposed to mount the gun mount on the modified hull roof, in place of the turret box and turret. This arrangement of weapons made it possible to maintain acceptable balancing of the entire vehicle, as well as to ensure free guidance of the gun in the entire accessible sector. The mountings of the gun carriage, as already mentioned, made it possible to remove it from the chassis and mount it back by the crew.

The Panzerkampfwagen I tank, which became the basis for the new self-propelled gun, was not distinguished by its large dimensions and large hull volume, which led to some interesting consequences. The main consequence of the small volumes was the development of a special two-wheel trailer Sonderanhänger 51 (Sd.Ah.51). Due to the small size of the self-propelled gun, it could carry very limited ammunition, which was located in a small compartment behind the driver. There was also a place for transporting the crew's personal weapons - Mauser 98k carbines. It was proposed to transport other shells, as well as personal belongings of the crew, in a trailer towed by a self-propelled gun. Due to lack of space inside the hull, the ZSU also lost its radio station, which is why the crew received a set of flags for transmitting signals to other vehicles.

When assembled, the new self-propelled gun based on a tank and an anti-aircraft gun was supposed to weigh about 5.5 tons. Its length was 4.4 m, width 2.06 m, height 2.08 m. The relatively weak engine allowed a speed of no more than 35 -37 km/h and travel up to 180 km on one gas station. Thus, a promising self-propelled gun with certain limitations could work in the same battle formations with other armored vehicles of the German army.

ZSU at the front. Photo: Worldwarphotos.info

All work on the new project, including the construction of combat vehicles, was completed in the early summer of 1941. First of all, this was facilitated by the use of ready-made vehicles and guns, which were available in large quantities to the troops. In addition, the work was, in a sense, facilitated by some of the features of the tanks taken for conversion. By the beginning of the forties, Pz.Kpfw.I tanks were already considered obsolete and were hardly used in their original quality. Thus, a number of Ausf.A modification vehicles were converted into ammunition transporters. At the same time, they lost the original turret and received means of storing and transporting ammunition.

It was the ammunition transporters that became the basis for the new self-propelled guns. This equipment was taken from the 1st company of the 610th transport battalion and sent for modernization. Due to the absence of a turret and other design changes, converting the transporters did not take much time. The result of this work was the appearance of 24 new self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. Some sources also mention the construction of one or two prototypes, followed by the rest of the series of two dozen vehicles.

In accordance with the German nomenclature of equipment, the new type of anti-aircraft self-propelled gun received the designation 2cm FlaK 38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A: 2-cm FlaK 38 cannon on the Pz.Kpfw.I modification “A” chassis. In addition, a new term Flakpanzer (“Anti-aircraft tank”) appeared at the same time. An alternative designation for the new vehicle was Flakpanzer I.

According to available data, the military’s attitude towards Flakpanzer-1 was ambiguous from the very beginning. On the one hand, the appearance of such equipment made it possible to provide protection for columns on the march due to serious advantages in mobility over existing towed artillery. On the other hand, the new project was based on an outdated chassis with not very high performance. However, the German command simply had no choice. An alternative to the 2cm FlaK 38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A ZSU did not yet exist and was not foreseen.

614th battalion in the occupied territories, winter 1942. Photo Pvo.guns.ru

To operate the new self-propelled guns, a new 614th anti-aircraft battalion was formed. Its main weapons were new types of vehicles, and in auxiliary roles it was proposed to use a diverse fleet of German, French and British-made vehicles, previously captured as trophies. Thus, from a material point of view, the 614th battalion was a very interesting unit.

Training of personnel for the 2cm FlaK 38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A continued until mid-summer 1941. In August, the 614th anti-aircraft battalion was sent by rail from Berlin to Prague. He was then transported to Romania. Only in the fall did the battalion manage to receive a full-fledged combat mission. From Romania, self-propelled guns traveled about 600 km under their own power and entered occupied Soviet territory. The battalion's task was to guard bridges on the Dnieper.

Approximately in the winter of 1941-42, the anti-aircraft battalion was still able to go to the front line. Over the next few months, anti-aircraft self-propelled guns were used to protect troops from air raids and, in some cases, to attack ground targets. The use of 20-mm cannons against tanks was not possible, but in a number of cases such weapons were an effective means of destroying long-term firing points. In addition, there was a high potential for attacking field artillery positions.

However, the new ZSU had a lot of shortcomings. The main problems were related to the morally and physically outdated chassis. Panzerkampfwagen I tanks were produced until 1937, and the assembly of the first Ausf.A modification was discontinued in the early autumn of 1936. Thus, most of the chassis for the 2cm FlaK 38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A was not new and had large remaining service life. As a result, self-propelled guns spent a significant part of their service time not on the front line, but in repair shops.

Self-propelled gun in stowed position. The gun is covered with a cover. Photo Pvo.guns.ru

The service and its efficiency were also affected by the obsolescence of the chassis. It had insufficient armor and was not highly mobile. Because of this, self-propelled guns could be a relatively easy target for heavy machine guns or anti-tank rifles of the Red Army. The use of any artillery was completely fatal for German vehicles. Also, the survivability was negatively affected by the insufficient protection of the crew, only part of which was covered by a shield. Because of this, the risk of the crew being hit by small arms or shell fragments significantly increased.

The consequence of insufficient characteristics and low survivability was the loss of most of the self-propelled guns built. By the end of 1942, a significant number of 2cm FlaK 38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A self-propelled guns were written off due to exhaustion or destroyed by the enemy. The last few vehicles of this type continued to serve until the beginning of 1943. At this time, the 614th anti-aircraft battalion was in the Stalingrad area and, along with a host of other units, was surrounded.

Part of the battalion's personnel and equipment was destroyed during the fighting, and some fighters managed to survive and be captured. The remaining equipment, in turn, became trophies of the Red Army. It is known that, among other equipment, several Flakpanzer-1 self-propelled guns were discovered in the Stalingrad cauldron. Soviet experts studied this technique and criticized it. All features of the project, which was once considered promising, were subject to well-founded criticism. After examination, the captured “anti-aircraft tanks” were sent for melting down as unnecessary.

No later than the first months of 1943, the last self-propelled guns 2cm FlaK 38 auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A ceased to exist. Thus, not a single example of this technique has survived to this day. A total of 24 armored vehicles, combined into one battalion, were unable to have a significant impact on the course of the fighting. Nevertheless, they made it possible to test an interesting and promising idea in practice, assessing the real capabilities of such technology. Based on the results of the Flakpanzer I project, it was decided to continue the development and construction of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. However, the next similar project appeared only a few years later.

Based on materials from the sites: https://aviarmor.net/ https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ https://pvo.guns.ru/ https://nemectanki.ru/ https://armor.kiev.ua/

Tactical and technical data of the Sd.Kfz self-propelled gun. 10/4