Flak 38

WWII German AA Gun

In 1934, the 20 mm anti-aircraft gun Flak 30, developed by the German company Rheinmetall, was adopted by the Luftwaffe. Based on the combat experience with the gun in Spain, Mauser upgraded it, and the new model was named the 2 cm Flak 38. The upgraded gun used the same ammunition as the Flak 30, with changes primarily aimed at increasing the rate of fire, which rose from 245 to 480 rounds per minute. The cost of one 2 cm Flak 38 anti-aircraft unit was 6,500 Reichsmarks. The new gun began entering service in the second half of 1940 and soon became a common close-range air defense tool in the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe. Besides combating aircraft, the gun could also be used to engage lightly armored targets. A company equipped with twelve 2 cm Flak 38 guns was part of the anti-tank battalion of infantry divisions, and similar companies were also included in tank and motorized divisions. Production of these guns continued until the end of World War II.

The Flak 38 was a widely used German anti-aircraft gun during World War II, known for its versatility and effectiveness in both anti-aircraft and ground combat roles. It was an improved version of the earlier 2 cm FlaK 30 and became one of the primary light anti-aircraft weapons deployed by the German military throughout the conflict.

Key Features: Design and Development: The 2 cm Flak 38 was developed as a light 20mm anti-aircraft cannon by the Rheinmetall-Borsig company. It was introduced in 1940 as an upgrade to the Flak 30, which had a slower rate of fire and limited performance. The key improvement in the Flak 38 was its increased rate of fire (up to 450 rounds per minute), making it more effective against fast-moving, low-flying aircraft. The gun was mounted on a three-point towed carriage with folding arms for stabilization during firing, and it could be quickly deployed and repositioned as needed. Armament and Ammunition: The Flak 38 fired 20mm rounds from a 20-round magazine, using high-explosive shells designed to target aircraft. These shells were also effective against lightly armored vehicles and infantry, allowing the gun to serve in a dual-purpose role. Its effective range against aircraft was around 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) vertically, and about 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) horizontally, depending on the ammunition used. Mobility: The gun could be towed by vehicles such as trucks or half-tracks, making it highly mobile. It was also often mounted on various vehicles, such as the Sd.Kfz. 10/4 half-track, to create self-propelled anti-aircraft platforms. This mobility allowed it to be deployed across a wide range of theaters, from the deserts of North Africa to the Eastern Front’s vast plains. Mounts and Configurations: The Flak 38 was often used in its single-barrel configuration, but it could also be mounted in a quadruple setup known as the 2 cm Flakvierling 38, which combined four Flak 38 guns to dramatically increase its rate of fire. The Flakvierling was particularly effective in defending against swarms of low-flying aircraft, such as Allied ground-attack planes. In ground roles, the gun was used in direct fire against light vehicles, infantry, and even fortifications, proving to be versatile in combat situations. Operation: The gun was crewed by a team of around five soldiers, including the gunner, loader, and spotters. It had a relatively simple operation with manual controls, making it easy to deploy under battlefield conditions. The gun could be adjusted for elevation and traverse manually, allowing the operator to quickly engage both aircraft and ground targets. Combat Use: The Flak 38 was heavily deployed by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) to defend against Allied air raids, as well as by the Wehrmacht in ground-based air defense roles. It was used extensively on the Eastern Front, where it was deployed against Soviet aircraft and also saw significant use as a direct fire support weapon in urban and defensive battles. It

Key Specifications

• Scale: 1:35

Full Specifications