Last updated on February 17th, 2019 at 09:49 pm
Krupps 88 was the common name for Germany’s series of 8.8 centimeter anti-aircraft guns which were officially called Flak 18, Flak 36 and Flak 37.
Flak 18 entered production in 1933. Its 88mm explosive round had a muzzle velocity of 2700ft/s (820m/s) and a weight of 20.3lb (9.24kg).
Krupps 88 guns were designed to be anti-aircraft guns. However, they were also used as anti-tank weapons in the Spanish Civil War and during World War II. Krupps 88s that were used as anti-tank guns in the field were given shields to protect them from enemy tanks.
In 1940, an armor piercing (AP) round was developed for the Krupps 88
The Germans Krupps 88 was very effective against French and British tanks in May and June 1940.
Despite its successes., the long range and powerful knockout capabilities of the Krupps 88 were countered by its size and bulk, which made it difficult to move and conceal.