The German eighty-eight is probably the best known, even famous, artillery piece of World War II. It was not one gun, but a series of anti-aircraft guns officially called the 8.8 cm Flak 18, 36 or 37, and could also include newer and more powerful models, the Flak 41 and 43. Flak is a German short form of Fliegerabwehrkanone, meaning anti-aircraft gun. In informal German use, the guns were universally known as the Acht-acht (8.8 cm = 88 mm).
Background
The rapidly improving performance of military aircraft meant that newer aircraft would fly at much higher altitudes and speeds than World War I aircraft. German planners decided to develop far more powerful purpose-designed weapons with high muzzle velocity for high-altitude ranges and improvements for higher rates of fire. However, after World War I, Germany was forbidden from producing new weapons, so the Krupp company partnered with Bofors in Sweden to develop the guns.
Flak 18, 36 and 37
The prototype 88s were first produced in 1928. The Flak 18 used a single-piece barrel with a length of 56 calibres (88/L56), mounted on a cross-shaped gun carriage allowing fire in all directions. A "semi-automatic" loading system resulted in excellent firing rates of 15 to 20 rounds a minute.
Widespread production started with the Nazi rise to power in 1933. The Flak 18 proved to be the best anti-aircraft weapon then available during the Spanish Civil War, and the high muzzle velocity made it an excellent anti-tank weapon.
The Flak 36 included a two-piece barrel and a new trailer for quicker setup. The Flak 37 used a simpler lighter trailer with additional instrumentation for static air defense roles.
The 88 was powerful enough to penetrate over 150 mm of armour at ranges of 2 km or more. It was most effective in North Africa and Russia where flat, open terrain allowed the long-range performance to be decisive.
The success of the 88mm led to tanks mounting 88mm guns, including the Tiger I tank and the Nashorn tank destroyer. In August 1944, there were 10,704 Flak 18, 36 and 37 guns in service.
Flak 41
As early as 1939, Rheinmetall developed the 88/L71 design with improved muzzle velocity reaching altitudes of 15,000 m (48,000 ft), considerably greater than the older design's 10,600 m. Firing rates improved to 20–25 rounds per minute.
However, the Flak 41 was complex and prone to ammunition jamming. Only 157 were in use by August 1944. The gun was also adapted as the dedicated anti-tank PaK 43, which could penetrate about 200 mm of armor at 1,000 m. The Tiger II tank's standard armament was based on this gun.
Weaknesses of the 88
While extremely effective, the 88mm had notable tactical weaknesses:
- The 88 itself was a relatively rare occurrence on the battlefield — German forces more frequently used 37mm, 50mm and 75mm anti-tank guns
- Many eyewitness accounts mis-identify smaller guns as 88s
- The 88 was very large, making tactical mobility and concealment difficult
- Towards the end of the war, Allied air superiority made transport and concealment increasingly difficult
- Infantry weapons like the Panzerschreck and Panzerfaust took the dominant anti-tank role late in the war