German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
The 2 cm Flak 38 auf Panzer I Ausführung A, commonly known as the Flakpanzer I,[1] was a rare self-propelled anti-aircraft gun conversion of the Panzer I in use by the military of Nazi Germany during World War II.[2]
Development
The Flakpanzer I was developed during the Battle of France when it was recognized that the motorised Flak was insufficiently armoured.[2] The German Heereswaffenamt decided to combine light anti-aircraft guns with tank chassis.[2] The chassis of the Panzer I was used for these conversions, simply because it was available. The conversions were done by Stoewer.[2]
In total, 24 of these vehicles were built.[2] During the conversion, parts of the frontal superstructure and the complete cover of the engine compartment were removed to gain more flat space to stand on.[2] To achieve a better centre of gravity the frontal armour of the superstructure was moved about 18mm forward.[2] The flaps on the side were made from simple sheet metal and did not offer real protection.[2] When in action they were folded down and used to stand on.[2] To gain more space (the Panzer I was a very small armoured vehicle) the radio was dismounted; communication was done with hand signals.[2] The vehicles were armed with the Flak 38; additionally, the crew was armed with small arms, like the Karabiner 98k.[2] To make it easier for the driver to enter the vehicle, the main gun was mounted not centrally, but slightly to the right.[2] The ammunition was stored under the driver's seat and behind the loader.[2] Due to insufficient space inside the vehicle, a coupling for the Sonderanhänger 51 trailer was added, with additional ammunition and replacement barrels for the gun transported in the trailer.[2]
Service
Only one unit, the Fla.-Btl.(mot) 614 (Motorized Flak Battalion 614) was equipped with the Flakpanzer I.[2] The unit was assembled in 1941 and in the same year was stationed in Romania.[2] From there they moved into the southern part of the eastern front.[2] In service the underarmed vehicles were of limited use against aircraft, but were mostly used against ground targets.[2] Due to the insufficient protection of the crew in this sort of deployment, they suffered high losses.[2] The companies of the battalion were assigned to other units for this.[2] The whole battalion was wiped out in 1943 during the Battle of Stalingrad, even though most of the vehicles had probably been abandoned or destroyed already.[2]
References
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