8.8cm FlaK 36 Gun (GE550) The German 8.8cm (3.46 inch) Flugabwehrkanone (flight defence cannon, or FlaK) gun is one of the most famous guns in the world. The Wehrmacht requested a heavier gun than the Krupps/Bofors developed 75mm and so Krupps designed the 8.8cm FlaK 18.

It entered production in 1933. The Flak 18 was a large gun with a long, one-piece barrel mounted on a pivoted cruciform carriage with two axles.  This arrangement allowed for a rapid deployment in which outriggers were lowered to support the gun and the wheel trailers were removed. Experience in the Spanish Civil War led to minor improvements.

A more robust transport carriage was designed. A multi-section barrel  was introduced which allowed faster barrel changing after heavy use, as only the worn section of barrel needed to be changed. The FlaK 18 gun was tested in the anti-tank role in Spain, and was definitely being used in that role during the Blitzkrieg against Poland and France. It’s major drawback as an anti-tank gun was its size, the 88 had difficulty operating from concealment, particularly on a mobile battlefield. Though their extremely long range and high rate of fire let them pick off opposition from a safe distance. The FlaK 36 was the backbone of German anti-aircraft defence, and accounted for a large bulk of Allied aircraft shot down by anti-aircraft guns.

In Flames Of War The FlaK 36 8.8cm guns of the Heavy Anti-aircraft platoons are a great duel-purpose weapon for any German force, they easily cover the roles of both heavy anti-tank weapons and anti-aircraft defence.     The only real drawback being if you encounter both these threats in the same turn (they can only be used in the one role per turn). They have excellent range (40”/100cm), great firepower (3+) and devastating anti-tank (13).

Their large gun shield gives the crew some protection from enemy fire, though it is probably best to dig them in. Designed by Karl Cederman Crew by Evan Allen Gun and Crew painted by Evan Allan Trailers painted by Jeremy Painter