What were flak guns used for?
Flak is a contraction of German Flugabwehrkanone (also referred to as Fliegerabwehrkanone) meaning “aircraft-defense cannon”, the original purpose of the weapon. In English, “flak” became a generic term for ground anti-aircraft fire….8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41.
| 8.8 cm Flak 18-36 | |
|---|---|
| Rate of fire | 15–20 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 840 m/s (2,690 ft/s) |
What was flak used in World War II?
88mm cannon
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. It also left a characteristic black cloud hanging in the sky.
What is the difference between artillery and fire support?
Fire support can be given by direct or indirect fire from guns or rockets. Artillery is not a weapon but a class. Its scope varies somewhat between nations but broadly it comprises field artillery, anti-aircraft artillery and target acquisition.
What is artillery in the military?
Artillery is a branch of service that supports the fighting troops by means of fire support (and by observations). Fire support can be given by direct or indirect fire from guns or rockets.
What are the nicknames for anti-aircraft guns?
Nicknames for anti-aircraft guns include AA, AAA or triple-A, an abbreviation of anti-aircraft artillery; “ack-ack” (from the spelling alphabet used by the British for voice transmission of “AA”); and archie (a World War I British term probably coined by Amyas Borton, and believed to derive via the Royal Flying Corps,…
What was the first US anti-aircraft cannon?
The first US anti-aircraft cannon was a 1-pounder concept design by Admiral Twining in 1911 to meet the perceived threat of airships, that eventually was used as the basis for the US Navy’s first operational anti-aircraft cannon: the 3″/23 caliber gun.