During World War II, Airmen and Soldiers performed ground-based air defense by using large-caliber field guns that fired projectiles at flying enemy aircraft. Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) or Flak if German, posed a particular threat to aircraft because their bullets exploded in the air. This meant gun crews could damage an aircraft even if they did not hit it directly. AAA could also be lowered and fired on enemy personnel or equipment.
As aircraft technology advanced throughout World War II, AAA struggled to keep pace. Ground defense emphasized enhancing existing systems with additional guns and adopting easier to acquire sights. For instance, the 1939 Flak 38 was a single 20mm cannon on a mobile mount. The late war model on display is equipped with four (vier) 20mm cannons.
Gunners operated the Flakvierling 38 by depressing two pedals at their feet. Each pedal fired an opposing set of guns. Crews fed the cannons by loading 20-round box magazines into each gun. The staggered firing sequence ensured that one gun on each side could fire while the crew loaded the other.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Caliber: 20mm (.79 in.)
Effective Ceiling: 4,000 yards when fired vertically
Weight: 3,200 lbs.
Rate of fire: 800 rounds/minute practical; 1,400 rounds/minute cyclic
Click here to return to the World War II Gallery.