What does a flak cannon do?
The versatile 88mm cannon was Germany’s main heavy antiaircraft—or “flak”—gun during World War II. When an 88mm projectile exploded at altitude, it sent out jagged metal fragments that tore through nearby aircraft.
Are flak cannons effective?
Antiaircraft guns are effective as an inverse of their range to target. They also have a practical altitude limit of about 30,000 feet. This means that high flying fast aircraft are far less vulnerable to AA fire than lower flying slow targets.
What is the biggest flak gun?
Although it was not produced in great numbers, it was reportedly one of the most effective heavy AA guns of its era….
| 12.8 cm Flak 40 | |
|---|---|
| Mass | 17,000 kg (37,478 lbs) |
| Length | 7.835 m (25 ft 8 in) |
| Barrel length | 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) 61 calibers |
| Shell | 128 x 958mm R |
What was the best flak gun in ww2?
FHCAM – 88 mm Flak 37
FHCAM – 88 mm Flak 37 Anti-Aircraft Gun. The “88” was the most famous and feared artillery weapon of World War II.
Can you shoot a paratrooper with a flak gun?
The law of war does not prohibit firing upon paratroops or other persons who are or appear to be bound upon hostile missions while such persons are descending by parachute.
Why did Germans use 88?
The German Kriegsmarine had adopted the gun largely because a round of 88mm ammunition was considered the largest and heaviest (about 34 pounds) that a single man could handle. The World War I model could fire a 9.6 kilogram high-explosive to a height of 6,850 meters, with a maximum range of 10,800 meters.
Why is it illegal to shoot a paratrooper?
Some people consider these practices to be inhumane. Such parachutists are considered hors de combat under the Protocol I addition to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, meaning that attacking them is a war crime. Firing on airborne forces who are descending by parachute is not prohibited.
Did German soldiers shoot medics?
This time, with his Red Cross arm band in full view, he didn’t take fire. “The Germans were pretty good about not shooting at medics,” he said. “There were several times they could have shot me, and they didn’t.” At times, the battle raged so close that the building shook violently, blowing out the windows.