| FlaK 36 in action against ground targets, probably British tanks, in North Africa. Firing from a wheeled position, all crew members in position. The 8.8 centimeter Flugabwehrkanone (“Aircraft Defense Cannon”) or Flak 18/36/37/41 started life as an anti-aircraft gun, but was adapted to become the war’s outstanding anti-tank weapon, with an effective range against tanks of up to 1 and a quarter miles (2,000 meters) and the ability to penetrate almost 8 inches (200 millimeters) of armor at 1,650 feet (500 meters). This gun is probably engaging British tanks at Mers el Brega during Rommel’s advance. Because the British lost so much equipment at Dunquerque, their 2-pounder (40 millimeter) anti-tank gun remained in production until mid-1943. By that time it couldn’t cope with most German armor. The Americans went to war with the M3 37 millimeter, which remained in use throughout the war. Unlike the 2-pounder, it could fire a high explosive shell against infantry, infrastructure, or soft targets, but it also couldn’t penetrate most German tanks by mid-1943. The 6-pounder (57 millimeter) antitank gun was effective and equipped both United States Army and United Kingdom Royal Army units. But as a towed weapon, it was too slow on a mobile battlefield and crews suffered high casualties. The 8.8 centimeter Flak 18/36/37/41 caused fear among Allied tank crews, infantry, and air crews, known as the “dreaded eighty-eight.” | |
| Image Filename | wwii2097.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.90 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 4130 x 3128 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | Kriegsberichter |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | April 15, 1941 |
| Location | |
| City | Marsa al-Brega |
| State or Province | Cyrenaica |
| Country | Libya |
| Archive | Imperial War Museum |
| Record Number | HU 1205 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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