88mm FlaK gun Position - Historical Context & Design Development Process
Historical Context Initially designed and used as an anti-aircraft cannon, the 88mm FlaK gun series was found to be an extremely effective anti-tank weapon during the Second World War. With a large round, capable of penetrating thick armour at great distances, this became one of the most feared weapons of the German arsenal, often being referred to as the dreaded '88'. The infamous '88' first gained notoriety against the Western Allies in 1940 during the Fall of France campaign. During this campaign, at the Battle of Arras, a British counterattack with Matilda II Infantry tanks caused major disruption to the advancing German units. The Matilda II possessed 78mm frontal armour, which was virtually impenetrable to the German weapons at the time. It was during this attack, that Field Marshal Erwin Rommel instructed the battery of 88mm FlaK guns in the area to fire upon the advancing British tanks, with great success, forcing the heavily armoured tanks to retreat. This ...
