Did flak exist in ww1?

The 8.8 cm Flak 16 was a German 8.8 cm anti-aircraft gun from World War I, forerunner of the 8,8 cm FlaK/PaK Flak 18/36/37 of World War II.

What was flak during the war?

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.

Was flak gun used on infantry?

The answer is yes. The Flakpanzer was armed with gun 3.7 cm Flak with armor piercing and hige explosive ammunition. The armor penetration was a when using dedicated Considerable ammunition.

How effective was German flak?

Allied heavy bomber losses due to flak would number in the thousands. Indeed, German flak accounted for close to half of all American aircraft lost in Europe, making it a lethal and deadly adversary.

What was the most feared German weapon in ww2?

The V1 flying bomb was one of the most fear-inducing terror weapons of the Second World War. Thousands were killed and wounded by its warhead, but alongside those civilians are the forgotten victims of the V1 the people who made them.

Flak (1943)

Did the Japanese have flak guns?

The most widely used Japanese heavy flak piece was the 75mm Type-88 that entered service in 1928. It fired a 14.5-pound shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,360 fps to 23,550 feet but was inaccurate above 16,000 feet.

Can a flak gun destroy a tank?

It could kill a Sherman tank or most other allied tank at over a mile range with pinpoint accuracy, it can also used to shoot down bombers and fighter planes, and even target infantry using high explosive rounds and fire light artillery barrage.

How thick were flak towers?

With concrete walls up to 3.5 m (11 ft) thick, their designers considered the towers to be invulnerable to attack by the standard ordnance carried by RAF heavy bombers at the time of their construction.

Why was the German 88 so good?

It could easily provide firepower in a full 360degree traverse and it could penetrate the frontal armor of any Allied tank on the field. The gun's distinctive, heavily sloping front armor could deflect most oncoming rounds. The barrel was produced in two segments and the breech was semi-automatic.

Can a flak jacket stop a 9mm?

You may also have heard the term “flak jacket.” A flak jacket protects against artillery shell and grenade fragments. Although some flak jackets, or fragmentation vests, such as the PASGT, can protect against 9mm FMJ handgun bullets, that's not the intended purpose.

Did flak jackets stop bullets?

Ballistic protection

45 caliber round fired at close range. Although flak jackets offered some protection against small caliber bullets and shell fragments, ultimately they proved to be less effective than hoped. Flak jackets are now generally considered to be inferior to modern ballistic vests.

How heavy is a USMC flak jacket?

This vest, worn by both the US Marines and US Army, was made from nylon and fiberglass-based Doron and came in under 8 pounds.

Is A flak jacket bullet proof?

history of bulletproof vest

These “flak jackets” were flexible enough to permit relatively free movement by the wearer while affording him adequate protection against shell fragments. They could not stop an armour-piercing bullet, however.

What does flak mean in German?

Flak came into English as an abbreviation for the German word Fliegerabwehrkanone, meaning 'aircraft-defense gun.

Can a flak 88 penetrate an Abrams?

Yes. A Sturmtiger is basically a 380 mm mortar. The 380 mm shell simply has so much kinetic energy it will tear the welding seams of Abrams off.

Can you stop a tank with a grenade?

Grenades were first used against armored vehicles during World War I, but it wasn't until World War II when more effective shaped charge anti-tank grenades were produced. AT grenades are unable to penetrate the armor of modern tanks, but may still damage lighter vehicles.

What secret weapon did the US have against the Japanese?

Navajo code talkers photographed in 2005 at Monument Valley, Utah. Photograph by Kenji Kawano.

What was the most effective flak gun?

The most effective of these was the German 88-millimetre Fliegerabwehrkanone; its abbreviated name, flak, became a universal term for antiaircraft fire. In 1953 the U.S. Army introduced the Skysweeper, a 75-millimetre automatic cannon firing 45 shells per minute, aimed and fired by its own radar-computer system.

Why was flak so effective?

One was to shoot down enemy aircraft and the other, more important, role was to force bombers to drop their ordnance sooner or from a higher altitude, thus reducing bombing accuracy. Flak also damaged aircraft, causing them to slow down and lose altitude, making bombers easy pickings for marauding German fighters.

What was the worst weapon of WWI?

Artillery. Artillery was the most destructive weapon on the Western Front. Guns could rain down high explosive shells, shrapnel and poison gas on the enemy and heavy fire could destroy troop concentrations, wire, and fortified positions.

What was the most feared weapon in WW1?

Of all the weapons introduced during the war, the flamethrower was one of the most feared. First used by the German shock troops, the weapon proved to be an effective tool against fortifications and trenches, showering the enemy with burning liquid and flushing out troops who would be otherwise unassailable.

What was the weakest weapon in WW1?