The Flakpanzer 38(t), officially named Flakpanzer 38(t) auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) Ausf M (Sd.Kfz. 140), was a German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun used in World War II. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Gepard, which may lead to confusion with the unrelated Flakpanzer Gepard.
The Flakpanzer 38(t) was designed around the chassis of the LT-38, a pre-war Czech design, which following the German occupation was produced for the Wehrmacht as the Panzer 38(t) until it was no longer effective.
As the vehicle used the Ausf M chassis, the engine was located near the middle of the vehicle, and the armament was placed at the rear in a specially designed armoured section. The superstructure could fold down to allow 360-degree traverse at low elevation.
Including the single prototype, 141 Flakpanzer 38(t)s were built from November 1943 to February 1944, entering service in 1944.
Combat use
American soldiers playing cards in front of a destroyed Flakpanzer 38(t) in Normandy, 1944.
The Flakpanzer 38(t) was intended to be issued to the anti-aircraft platoon of each tank battalion (Panzer Abteilung) in a Panzer division.
At this late stage in the war, the single 2 cm FlaK main armament was no longer sufficient to ward off enemy aircraft, and the Flakpanzer 38(t) became easy prey for Allied fighter-bombers[citation needed].
As its folding superstructure allowed a very low (-5°) elevation the Flakpanzer 38(t) was often used against enemy infantry and unarmoured or lightly armoured vehicles.[citation needed]
Survivors
Four complete vehicles exist, having been recovered from a French scrapyard in Trun, Normandy. They went to the following museums.[2]
Bayeux memorial
Musee Automobiles de Normandie, Cleres (Now believed to be in private hands in the UK)
Chamberlain, Peter; Hilary L. Doyle (1993) [1978]. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two: A Complete Illustrated Directory of German Battle Tanks, Armoured Cars, Self-propelled Guns, and Semi-tracked Vehicles, 1933–1945. Technical Editor Thomas L. Jentz (Revised ed.). London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN1-85409-214-6.
Ledwoch, J. (Shackleton, M. J. edited). Armour in Focus: Flakpanzer 38 (t)ISBN978-83-7219-026-0
flakpanzer, confused, with, flakpanzer, gepard, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, december, 2008, learn, when, r. Not to be confused with Flakpanzer Gepard This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations December 2008 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Flakpanzer 38 t officially named Flakpanzer 38 t auf Selbstfahrlafette 38 t Ausf M Sd Kfz 140 was a German self propelled anti aircraft gun used in World War II It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Gepard which may lead to confusion with the unrelated Flakpanzer Gepard Flakpanzer 38 t TypeSelf propelled anti aircraft gunPlace of originNazi GermanyService historyIn service1944 1945Used byNazi GermanyWarsWorld War IIProduction historyProduced1943 1944No built141SpecificationsMass9 800 kilograms 21 600 lb Length4 61 m 15 ft 1 in Width2 15 m 7 ft 1 in Height2 25 m 7 ft 5 in Crew4Armor10 15 mmMainarmament1 x 2 cm FlaK 38 L 651 040 roundsEnginePraga AC 6 cylinder petrol147 hp 110 kW Power weight15 hp tonneSuspensionLeaf springOperationalrange210 km 130 mi Maximum speed42 km h 26 mph Contents 1 Design and development 2 Combat use 3 Survivors 4 See also 5 References 6 Bibliography 7 External linksDesign and development EditThe Flakpanzer 38 t was designed around the chassis of the LT 38 a pre war Czech design which following the German occupation was produced for the Wehrmacht as the Panzer 38 t until it was no longer effective As the vehicle used the Ausf M chassis the engine was located near the middle of the vehicle and the armament was placed at the rear in a specially designed armoured section The superstructure could fold down to allow 360 degree traverse at low elevation Including the single prototype 141 Flakpanzer 38 t s were built from November 1943 to February 1944 entering service in 1944 Combat use Edit American soldiers playing cards in front of a destroyed Flakpanzer 38 t in Normandy 1944 The Flakpanzer 38 t was intended to be issued to the anti aircraft platoon of each tank battalion Panzer Abteilung in a Panzer division Most of the Flakpanzer 38 t s were issued to Panzer Divisions on the Western Front the remainder served on the Eastern Front An example user being the 12th SS Panzer Division 1 At this late stage in the war the single 2 cm FlaK main armament was no longer sufficient to ward off enemy aircraft and the Flakpanzer 38 t became easy prey for Allied fighter bombers citation needed As its folding superstructure allowed a very low 5 elevation the Flakpanzer 38 t was often used against enemy infantry and unarmoured or lightly armoured vehicles citation needed Survivors EditFour complete vehicles exist having been recovered from a French scrapyard in Trun Normandy They went to the following museums 2 Bayeux memorial Musee Automobiles de Normandie Cleres Now believed to be in private hands in the UK Saumur armour museum Becker private collectionSee also EditSd Kfz 138 1 Grille German self propelled gun on similar chassis Panzer 38 t the chassis the Flakpanzer 38 t was based onReferences Edit 1 12th Panzer Division Hitler Jugend 2 12th Panzer Division Hitler JugendBibliography EditChamberlain Peter Hilary L Doyle 1993 1978 Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two A Complete Illustrated Directory of German Battle Tanks Armoured Cars Self propelled Guns and Semi tracked Vehicles 1933 1945 Technical Editor Thomas L Jentz Revised ed London Arms and Armour Press ISBN 1 85409 214 6 Ledwoch J Shackleton M J edited Armour in Focus Flakpanzer 38 t ISBN 978 83 7219 026 0External links EditExternal image Flakpanzer 38 t 3 Portals Military of Germany World War II Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Flakpanzer 38 t amp oldid 1137980909, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
