i l

I
German Anti-tank Guns
1939-1945
T. J. Gander
ALMARK PUBLICATIONS LTD, LONDON
1973 Almark Publishing Co. Ltd
Text T. J. Gander
AI! rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced.
stored in a retrieval system. or
transmitted by any means.
electronic. mechanical. or by photo
copying. without prior permission
from the publishers.
First Published-July1973
ISBN 0 85524 141 1 (bound edition)
ISBN 0 85524 142 X (soft cover edition)
Printed in Great Britain by
Silver End Press Ltd, Witham, Essex CM8 3QO,
for the publishers, Almark Publishing Co. Ltd,
49 Malden Way, New Malden,
Surrey KT3 6EA, England.
2
Introduction
- : -., :::2 p ilosophyforthe use ofanti-tankgunsinWorldWar2
=- 9 ca Iy between the Allied and German Armies. The Allies
emas adefenceagainsttanksbuttheGermansusedthem
'Oapon to attack enemy armour. This basic idea colours the r
_=: oncept ofthe Panzerabwehrkanonen (Pak) in use with the
c- iorces in World War 2and thisbooksets outtogive an out-
- '::' 1 e various types ofgun thatsawservice between 1939 and
0- =.!ssuch itdealsonlywithgunsthatwerespecificallydesigned
-:. : - c anti-tank role. Thus the various 20 mm, 37 cm and other
- ;3 rpose (anti-a;rcraft and anti-tank) weapons have been
: - '::00.Howeverthe88cm Flak weaponsare included sincethese
'O'S 25 important as other anti-tank types and were, in fact, better
- ",'" as anti-tank weaponsthan as AA weapons. Also omitted are
:-=.ari ous experimental weapons under development at the end of
-" ...ar. but a list ofthe main models is included.
::csically, the types of weapons used as Panzerabwehrkanonen
under three main headings-the'standard' service weapons,the
: :oered boregunsand captured gunspressedintolarge-scaleservice.
- -urther category that could be mentioned is the use of captured
...eapons that were employed against their former owners on the
::-att lefield butnevertakenintofullservice. Examplesofthisgroupare
;' e British 6 pounder and Russian 45 mm, butthis category is too
y oad todeserveinclusion in abook ofthis nature.
Tables ofcharacteristics are included and, where known, thesize
of the gun detachment is given.
For assistance with the provision of illustrations for this volume,
author and publisher wish to thank Peter Chamberlain, John
Milsom, F. J. Stephens, and the Imperial War Museum, London
(IWM).
3
Contents
7: The Standard Weapons . ....................,.............. 5
2: Captured Guns . ........................................... 37
3: Miscellaneous Types . ..................................... 47
4: Tapered-bore Guns . .. ...................................48
5: Self-propelled Anti-tank Guns . .............................55
Appendices
7: Experimental Anti-tank Guns """"""""""'".......63
2: Armour Penetration Powers . .. .. .....,. . . ........ ... ....... 63
3: Comparative Data ....64
In 1940 the Pak 35/36 was still the principal German anti-tank gun. This team is in action at the Meuse crossing, May 1940, during the invasion
of Holland. Note the ammunition box on the left in front of the detachment commander. in this case an unteroffizier. The men wear helmet
bands for the attachment of camouflage.
4
I
: The Standard Weapons
= : ~ :or: sisted of the 37 cm Pak 35/ 36 L/ 45, the 5 cm Pak 38
_ : : = - ~ "he 75 cm Pak 40 L/ 46. Added to these are the 88 cm Pak
- -: _ -. c d the 88 cm Pak 43/ 41 L/71 , but the first three mentioned
~ . ~ - -. erically the most important.
: ~ 1 of the 37 cm Pak 35/36 L/45 began in late 1933. Built by
=-= - r ettal-Borsig the 37 cm gun was a very successful design
- c' greatly influenced contemporary gun designers. The gun
__ $S ed to units in 1936 and was blooded during the Spanish
ar. After 1940, however, it was withdrawn from first-line use
, u epl aced by heavier weapons. It continued in use with second-
~ tr aining, and occupying units up till 1944 as there is evidence of
- - 5i. g used in the Normandy campaign. In attempts to prolong its
_:",iul life the tungsten cored pz Gr 40 was developed as was the
:- ned 3 7 cm Stielgranate 41 or 42. This was a hollow charge
:. j ectile fitted over the muzzle with a steel rod fitting into the bore.
- 'I e accurate range of this weapon was less than 200 yds but it could
p netrate up to 7 in of armour. When first designed the 37 cm Pak
:ould cope with any contemporary armour but the rapid development
of heavier tanks greatly reduced its fighting capabilities until the
3 7 cm became known as the 'Wehrmachfs door-knocker'. However
It was built in large numbers and saw widespread service. Special
versions for use in casements (the 37 cm Pak K), and by airborne
troops, were used in small numbers. Weights and dimensions of this
and the other weapons mentioned in the text are given in tables at the
end of the book.
Second of the standard weapons to enter service was the 5 cm Pak
38 L/ 60. The need for heavier w eapons than the 37 cm had been
foreseen by German designers and tacticians as early as 1936. The
5 cm Pak 38 was built in 1938 and entered service in late 1940. Again
designed by Rheinmettal-Borsig the 5 cm Pak 38 was a sound design
and remained in service until 1945. The carriage was rather unusual
in that it employed a third wheel under the trail spades when the
5
split trails were joined for towing. The shield was curved which
distinguished it from the 75 cm Pak 40.
Perhaps the most important of all the German Pak was the 75 cm
Pak 40 L/ 46. Virtually a scaled-up 5 cm Pak 38 the design was begun
in 1939, again by Rheinmettal- Borsig, and began to see service in
1942 when it became the standard weapon of all Panzerabwehr
units throughout the remainder of the conflict . The 75 cm Pak 40 was
issued to all arms of the service including Infantry, Panzer and Luft-
waffe units and there were numerous variations such as the shortened
75 cm Pak 50, the increased elevation 75 cm 7M59 and the 75 cm
7M85 which was a 75 cm Pak 40 barrel on a 105 cm Ie FH 18/ 40
carriage. The 75 cm Pak 40 also went airborne in the Henschel Hs
129B- 3/WA as the much modified Pak 40L, later known as the BK
75. However, as the 75 cm Pak 40 L/ 46 the gun was encountered on
all fronts and could tackle nearly all Allied armour. The split carriage
dispensed with the third wheel of the 5 cm Pak 38 and the shield was
A 3 7 em Pak 35/36 being manhandled into position during winter
exercises in 7940 (lWM-HU 3778).
Though in theor y there were standardised types of towing vehicle for
anti -tank guns, in practice there were never sufficient to go round.
A big vari et y of t ypes of vehicle could be seen pressed into service
as gun tractors. This 3 7 em gun is being towed by an impressed com-
mercial light truck which accommodates the ammunition and the
gun detachment under a primitive wood and canvas till . The picture
dates from June 1940 during the campaign in France (IWM-HU
1754).
made up of straight plates rather than the curves of its predecessor.
Very large numbers were built and production remained at a high
priority level throughout the war in an attempt to stem the floods of
Allied armour.
As the war went on this priority given to anti-tank guns was in-
creased as it became apparent that the material strength of the Allies
could not be matched by German resources. Increased numbers of
anti-tank guns of heavier calibres were needed, and the 88 cm Pak
43 L/71 was developed from the earlier dual - purpose 88 cm Flak
family. The 8'8 cm Pak 43 was a large and well-designed weapon
which was intended for the anti-tank role only. Its travelling carriage
was similar to that of the Flak 41. The gun could be fired from this
wheeled carriage but traverse was limited to 30
0
each side. For full
360
0
traverse t he gun was dug in on its cruciform platform
(kreuzlafette) and protection for the crew came from the sharply slop -
ing shield. The design was initiated by Krupps in 1940 and the fi rst
entered service in 1943 when the excellent performance of the gun
greatly assisted the hard-pressed front-line troops. As always, there
were never enough 88 cm Pak 43s where they were really needed,
as the production of the Pak 43 carriage was held up. The result was
the stop-gap but successful 88 cm Pak 43/ 41 L/71. This employed
the 8'8 cm Pak 43 barrel on the carriage of the 10' 5 cm Ie FH 18 with
the wheels of the 15 cm Feldhaubitze (a Russian 152 cm howitzer
cilrriage was considered as an alternative). Employed mainly in
Russia the 88 cm Pak 43/ 41 was also encountered in NW Europe.
Two further weapons that just deserve inclusion in this category
are the Krupp 128 cm K44 L/ 548 and the Rheinmettal- Borsig Pak
44 (or KWK82) . These were both super-heavy tank destroyers of
very large dimensions which were j ust out of the experimental stage
as the war ended (the prototypes were finished in 1943). The large
carriages were not finished at the same time as the barrels however so
51 barrels were mounted on captured Russian 152 cm carriages and
saw service with front-line troops.
6
em Pak 35/ 36
_ . "s the principal anti-tank gun at the start of World War 2
__ splaced by the 5 cm Pak 38 from about 1941 onwards.
- : =- ." I e weapon remained in service throughout the war, being
:2:=-'= ~ to reserve and second-line formations. It was also mounted
- ::" gu s (see appendix) a typical application being the platoon
- : - ~ 3 der's version of the Sd Kfz 251 half-track where an obsoles-
= ~ - : " a, 35/ 36 was mounted to give a degree of anti-tank defence
--" alf-tracks of panzer-grenadier companies. A typical infantry
-: -c.; -sot i ncluded an anti-tank battalion equipped with 1237 cm
~ - ns.
ABOVE: A 37 cm Pak on pre-war manoeuvres, about 1937. Th e
folding leg-shield is in its lowered position. The men are wearing
red battle practice bands on their helmets (IWM-PC606A).
Table of Characteristics
Muzzle velocity:
AP . ............... . ..... ... .. ........... 2,625 feet per second
AP 40 .................. . . .. ...... ... ... 3,450 feet per second
Effective range .. . .... .... . .. . ...... . . ..... 600 yards
Rate of fire . .. .... . ....... ... .... . . ... ..... 8-10 rounds per
minute
Length of gun ..... . ...... . ... .. .. ... . .... .. 6552 inches
Elevation ... . ..... .... .. ... . .... . .. 25 degrees
Depression ........... . .... ... . .. ... .. . .... 8 degrees
Traverse . .... ... . ... .... . ........ . ...... .. 60 degrees (6 degrees
with trails closed)
Detachment ........ . . . . . ..... .. . .. ... ... 6
7
LEFT: Russian troops examine a captured
3 7 em Pak 35/36. Visible are numerous
3 7 em rounds and their carrying boxes
marked Palr37 em Pak' (IWM-RUS 964),
BELOW: Plan view of the Pak 35/ 36 with
traversing and elevating mechanism clearl y
marked (US Official) .
BELOW. LEFT: Breech and rear detail of
3 7 em Pak 35/36 (US Official).
LI'Ilr loadj"," ==..............-__ . ,/
b. fat. lot;: "lIn9
l..elllri ;lJ.r
EI,vOl in; hon(h,hu'
Low,r carriage
Flulble couplln;
"1ft trl"...
Tfov.rsln; hondwheel Ecc,nlrlc adJullm'n! fO(
mechanlun

,I''101In9 pinion
["voUn9
"-1911t 'tl".,
''''eo !"

Trl"., ea...
Tr.......'",
-
8
.:; 30VE: A captured 3 7 em Pak with a Stielgranate 47 or 42 filled over the barrel (May 1943).
- 'l ese finned grenades were fired by a blank cartridge. A normal 3 7 cm round can be seen
<1nder the grenade. The cylindrical device hanging on the front of the shield is a muzzle cap .
.'/hile the white cross on the jerrican shows that it was used for drinking water only. The
Suelgranate 41 or 42 was a hollow-charge round effective only at short ranges-about
400 yards maximum. Nonetheless it did give a new lease oflffe to what was then an obsolete
gun. The anti-tank battalions of infanty regiments were the main users of the Pak 35/36 by
1943. anti-tank artillery units having been eqUipped with newer. more effective weapons.
Note the sign on the shield of this gun (IWM-NA2586).
9
Nose fuze
_
Bursting charge Air space
Sleeve, fi1
Base fuze
over the barrel:
Rod, to fi1
Fin s (six in number)
inside the barrel
ABOVE: Detailed diagram of the Stielgranate
41 or 42 round. showing cross-section (US
Official).
OPPOSITE, TOP: 3 7 cm Pak 35/36s on parade before the war. They are being towed by
Kfz II Kubelwagens (Horch or Wanderer). At this period the mobility of specialised anti-tank
units was well in advance of ideas in other nations (John Milsom Collection).
OPPOSITE, BOTTOM: A 3 7 cm Pak 35/ 36 being towed across a river by a Kfz 81 (Krupp)
L2HI43 Protze. The muzzle cap is fitted. The crew and ammunition are carried on the vehicle,
Note the coil of wire on a frame at the rear of the vehicle. The L2H143 was a purpose-built
light artillery tractor with ammunition storage locker.
11
LEFT: A 3 7 cm Pak 35/36 being towed by a
captured French half-track which was
desIgnated Leichter Zugkraftwagen U 304
(t). Captured vehicles were extensively used
by the Germans to supplement their own
shortage of suitable tractors (IWM-MH
4201).
BELOW. LEFT: Old symbol for towed anti-
tank units. BELOW. RIGHT: New symbol for
towed anti-tank units. The latter came into
use in the 1942-43 period. The symbols
were painted in white (sometimes yellow)
on front andrear of the vehicle, though were
not always dIsplayed.
ABOVE: The crew of a 3 7 cm Pak 35/36
using a rubber assault raft (Flossack) to
make an unopposed ri ver crossing during
the 1940 campaign in France The muzzle
cap is fitted to the gun for the crossing over
water. The wheels are supported on planks
carried over the sides of the raft.
RIGHT: The 3 7 cm Pak could be man-
hauled by its detachment when necessary,
one useful advantage of its small size. Two
leather bandoliers for hauling and lifting
the gun were issued to each detachment.
These can be seen in wear by the centre
pair of men who are hauling the main drag
ropes. Note the ready- use ammunition boxes
slung over the gunshield. This picture was
taken in Luxembourg during exercises in the
fall of 1940 (IWM-HU 3824).
12
~ - ~ - ::m Pak 36 covering a road in
. _ " ntains of Russia in late 1941.
- 7 "-=: : r shown in the background is an
_ 3:::J ,. . fz 12). one of the Kubel t ype
- : ~ 'Nas also used to tow light anti-
~ _ - , I I was a widel y used type similar
=- . "z i 1 shown on page 10. The gun
_=-; :: have a 'speckled' winter camou-
-._ - ::-:rieved by 'throwing' whitewash
shield from a wet brush (IWM-
HU1193).
LEFT: A 3 7 cm Pak 36 in action. The heavy
leather bandoliers shown in the picture on
the opposite page can here be seen worn
by the gunner and layer. The drag ropes can
be seen on {h e ground still atrached ro the
trail.
13
A good side view of a 5 em Pak 38 showing i ts very low overall height and the distinctive cast wheels with solid-rubber tyres. The sol dier :;
this captured gun affords a good size comparison (IWM- E6958) .
5 em Pak 38
FIRST used-in action during the Greek and libyan campaigns of early though this was not used, of course, w hen the gun was emplacec
1941, this weapon became one of the most widely deployed of all under tow. Solid tyres, cast-disc w heels, and an all-weldeo c:;- -
German anti-tank guns. There were a number of interesting design struction made this a study piece. relatively simple to -- =
features, advanced for their time. The carriage was sprung on torsion 5 mm armour shield included a lower hinged fl ap as ;n t'l a :::
arms for towing and these were automatically locked when the split weapon . The barrel was of monobl oc : O' 3:n_cx ;- H': -
trail was opened out. A small castoring wheel w as attached under the a screw -on . double- baf' l" r ' u;cz S G' ck" 0>=,,: -, .'. '00 :' l -"
end of the trail to assist in manhandling the wea pon w hen necessary . a ut o "'71a-.: ic \:\'0 0:;- ::- 0 t l- 5 ;: - I /] r.:;:_: -=" ::: :- 3'. ="::- - ,,_=": - .-: -::-
-------------------------------------------- - --- - --
~ ~ _ - 3 c in action.
~ :-s latter half of the w ar the Pak 38 was allocated to the anti-
compa nies of many first-line infantry regiments, as the 7' 5-
_- =c' 40 replaced it in anti-tank artillery regiments. The Pak 38
:s sver completely supplanted by heavier weapons due to the
~ : ~ g e of the latter as production facilities w ere disrupted or inter-
_:: :sd by Allied action.
= :: -, T: British ordnance personnel demonstrate the loading and
: ' ==ch operation on one of the first Pak 38s to be captured. Tobruk
. ;..:;. BELOW: Details of the semi-automatic breech. BELOW,
<,;rl T: General view of piece ready for towing. Note lifting handles
at end of trail (US Official).
Spring cas. Breech-mechanism lever
Safe.nd-fire lever
15
Breech-mechanism spring case
I
I
ij
~
r
DOUBlf BAFflE
MUZZLE'BRAKE
/
Dle CAST WHEElS
W SOLID RUBBER TIRES
ABOVE: From view of Pak 38. Note sighunq
port (righ t) and the lowered protective fie;.
which was hinged up and secured when or
tow. This gun, used in Tunis, appears to Do
sand overall with random green patches.
(IWM-E23799). ABOVE, LEFT: Overa/,
view of barrel and breech, in this case wi:r
the muzzle brake unscrewed (US Offici3/ .
LEFT: Characteristics of the Pak 38 are ~
shown in this US Army recognition phoc :
graph. Note in particular the twin lifii,- ;
handles folded back to clear the towing e
J
~
and the 'sandwich'-Iype shield (US Offici",
16
I
1: 76 scale
Drawn by G. L. Dooley
I
Panzerabwehrkanone
5 em PAK 38 l/60
':'30VE: General arrangement drawing showing trail
closed and front protective armour flap dropped.
RIGHT: A close-up of the breech mechanism of the
5 cm Pak 38 in the Imperial War Museum, London. The
box on the shield over the barrel contained the sights.
Note the double-thickness of the gun snield. Just
visible here are the cams on the trail which engage and
lock out the torsion- spring wheel suspension when the
trails are opened,
17
ABOVE: Both 3-ton and 7-IOn half-tracks, as
weI! as trucks, were used as tractors for the
Pak 38. Most commonly used was the 7-ton
half-track. 5d Kfz 70 ( Oemag 0 7) shown
here. Note the ready-use ammunition boxes
on the vehicle's track covers. The castor
wheel for the trail is seen in its normal lOwing
position atop the trail on the nearest gun (a
pin was provided to secure it) (IWM-
5TT667)
RIGHT: The detachment commander gives a
cheer as a direct hit is scored on an advanc-
ing 50viet tank, Russian Front, late 7943.
This Pak 38 i s from a Waffen-55 division and
the men wear the standard- issue Waffen -55
winter anorak.
= -iT: Waffen -SS Pak 38 in action in
:: _,5Ia, 1942, well out in the open but
_=-'ouflaged to some extent with locallv
wood and wreckage. The gun is
-=, ,Jrsed to its full extent right. Note the
ammunition boxes. T- 34 tanks
being engaged, one knocked- out vehicle
being close to the gun.
Table of Characteristics
Muzzle velocity:
AP................,.....,,.......,,.....2,700 feet persecond
AP 40 ...,.. ......" .......,...... 3,940 feet per second
HE, .. ......" ................ 1,800feet per second
Maximum range:
AP.. ......................... 1,540yards
AP 40 . . ......... .... ....... .. ......... 770 yards
HE. .............................. 2,640 yards
Effective range:
AP......................................880 yards
AP 40 . .. .. ... . ... . ... ... ..... ..... . ....500 yards
HE. ................. ........ . ....2,000 yards
Rate offire ................................ 10-15roundspermin
Length ofgun (overall) . ...................12496inches
Depression. .......................... ...18degrees
Elevation ................... ...27 degrees
Traverse .................................. 65 degrees
Weight (gun only) ................. ..675 pounds
Weight (complete equipment) . ........... 2,145 pounds
Detachment ............................... 8
Ranging: to obviate the need for frequent changing of the sight
setting during close combat it was usual to set '8 pz' on the range
drum and then lay the gun between the top and centre line of the
target for ranges of1,000to880yards, betweenthecentre lineand
bottomforrangesof880to550yards,andthecentreofthetargetfor
ranges below500 yards.
19
75 em Pak 40
TH IS piece entered service late in 1942 and was produced quickly to
meet the need for an even more powerful weapon to counter the
heaviest Soviet tanks. I n essence it was a scaled- up version of the
Pak 38 with the same form of construction but heavier all round. The
shield shape was simplified to make production easier, but was still
of the twin layer 'sandwich' type. Barrel, breech and carriage were all
similar in design and operation to the corresponding parts of the Pak
38. There was an additional hydraulic buffer in the recoil system and
were two braking systems. For towing an airbrake was operated from
the tractor and there were hand brakes on the carriage as well. There
were a number of detail differences between different production
batches, one good example being in the size of the sighting port in the
shield. The castoring trail wheel was not perpetuated in the Pak 40
design. Basically the same gun was used in many German AFVs of
ABOVE: Side view of the 75 cm Pak 40 showing the close similarity
to the 5 cm Pak 38 from which it was developed. Note the large
muzzle brake. (IWM-MH 285.) BELOW: A Pak 38 captured in Tunis
in 1943 shows how well this low-profile weapon could hug the
ground, even in open country. AP round stands by the shield
(IWM-E23799).
20
":BOVE: Breecl) mechanism of the 75 cm Pak 38. The double thick-
7ess of the shield can be seen clear/y. (IWM-MH7807). RIGHT:
/Iew from towing end showing (cemre) the cIJp arrangement for
securing or releasing the arms of the spl i t trail (IWM- MH286).
the latter war period , being designated KwK 40 in the latter form.
Shortage of light alloys forced the inclusion of heavier steels into
the manufacture of the Pak 40 carriage making it proportionately
much heavier than those of the 3 7-cm and 5- cm carriages.
1 :76 scale
Drawn by Gerald Dooley
f[tlll
~ 0
$3C> ~ ~
Panzerabwehrkanone 7-5 em PAK 40 l/48
ABOVE: Drawing shows fronl
l ower apron plate raised.
RIGHT: Waffen-55 Pak 40
going into action in open
country on the Russian
519ppes in 1942. Gun is al
maximum lravarse to right;
note wire on shield to rake
foliage for camouflage.
I . L ~ .
~ GHT: A Pak 40 is loaded and prepared
-:' firing on the qua yside at Venice in
~ ~ w b e r 1943 when the cit y was fortified in
'0:3 face of the Allied advance. Note wire on
3- - 'eld and wound round the barrel to facili-
~ i e the attachment of local foliage for
:=mouflage purposes. The men are wearing
the olive-green tropical dress.
Characteristics
Muzzle velocity
(APC round) .. .... 2,525 feet per second
Maximum effective
range. . ....... 3,200 yards
Length of gun
(overall) .... 228 inches
Depressioll 5 degrees
Elevation . 22 degrees
Traverse . ... 65 degrees
Weight. . . 3,350 pounds
Ammunition ..... AP, APC, HE,
Hollow Charge
Detachment. ... 8
23
RIGHT: Waffen-SS Pak 40 in action with an
AP round being loaded as the gunner lavs
the piece on target. The huge size of the
round will be noted.
OPPOSITE PAGE: The three basic standard
anti - tank guns lined up to show their relative
sizes. and visiblV portraving how this class of
weapon developed in size in less than five
vears. The Pak 40 is nearest, the Pak 38 is
in the centre and the Pak 35/36 at the back
(IWM-STT7697).
BELOW: A Pak 40 in Italy covering an approach road and well con-
cealed in scrub. Wire for foliage attachment can be seen. The pit
dug below the breech was a favoured facilitV when conditions
allowed. giving the gunner more room (IWM-NA 7883).
BELOW: A 7-5 cm Feldkanone 7M85. This gun entered service during
7944, andhada strange ancestry. It used a 75 cm Pak 40 barrel on the
carriage of the 705 cm Ie FH 78/40. which itself was a conversion of
the 705 cm Ie FH 78M 10 take the I(ghter Pak 40 carriage! This is
typical of several variations on the standard Pak 40 design.
88 em Flak 18 and Flak 36
ONE of the most famous weapons of World War 2, this 88 cm piece
was originally designed and employed as an anti-aircraft (Flakartil-
lerie) gun in pre-war days. It was found to have a good secondary
performance in the ground firing role, however, and with suitable
ammunition (H E and AP) it could be used for indirect fire support
or for anti-tank work. It was first used extensively in an anti-tank
role in North Africa where a few well-sited guns at Halfaya Pass
decimated a British tank attack in May 1942. It could outrange
most British tanks and though only available in limited numbers
was wisely used. The carriage was of the cruciform type carried on
26
bogies. It was emplaced by lowering the cruciform to the ground,
removing the bogies, lowering the outriggers, and levelling. In an
emergency it could be fired from the carriage with the bogie brakes
applied, the side outriggers lowered, and with the gun levelled inde-
pendently of the carriage. Towing vehicle was the half-track Sd
Kfz 7. The Flak 18 and Flak 36 were similar but the latter model had
an improved barrel, heavier bogies, and an automatic rammer.
There was also a Flak 37 but this was fitted for the AA role only.
The early Flak 18s intended for the AA rQle lacked a gunshield but
were roughly identical. A fuse-setter machine and data trans-
_=- =-: 88 cm Flak 36 in action in the
Desert gun on recoil. Note ammu-
- - n numbers passing rounds forward.
-= =:::=has gone inlO action quickly and
- :J .es have not been wheeled clear.
:: =- _OW: A Flak 18 fully emplaced in a
and pictured at Halfaya Pass when
-":ype first saw action in the anti-tank role.
=uHT: Recognition chart showing layout
features of 88 cm gun (US Official).
equipment was carried on the
-:JUnt for the AA role. This powerful
..,eapon was used on all fronts in theanti-
:ank role right up tothe war's end.
FLAK 18 TUBE
12
\
PRONOUNCED CURVED
STEP ON- TUBE
EQUILIBRATORS
RECUPERATOR
FOUR WHEEL BOGIE
..
Characteristics
Muzzle velocity
(APe round)...... 2,624feet per second
Maximum range ....16,183 yards
Length ofequipment
(overall) .......... 303 inches
Depression....,..... 3 degrees
Elevation.....,...... 85 degrees
Traverse ....,',.....360degrees
Weight ........ .,'...14,014pounds
Ammunition ...HE and AP (various
types)
Detachment. .. ..11
NO
REMOfE
CONTROL
BOX
. OF SHIELD .
\.
TUBE WITHDRAWN
FOR TRAVElliNG
1
TRAVELING POSITION
fiRING POSITION.
~
"-- OUTRIGGERS IN .
FIRING POSITION
Characteristics
FOLDING WING
Muzzle velocity (AP) 3,215 feet per second
Maximum range . 21,960 yards
Rate offire. ....20-25 rds per minute
Length ofgun
(overall) ..368inches
Depression. .. 3 degrees
Elevation..... 90 degrees
Traverse . 360degrees
Weight. ... 24,600 pounds
Height. .90inches
Proj ect il eweight .(HE) 207 pounds
(AP) 22-4 pounds
Detachment. .12
ABOVE: American recognition chart show-
ing characteristics of the Flak 41. BELOW:
88 em Flak 41
Recognition diagram showing the AP and
HE rounds for the 88cm gun (US Official) .
THIS was a development of the Flak 36
revised to make it more suitable for the
anti-tank role though it was still rated as a
dual-purpose weapon. The layout was
modified to reduce the overall height. The
recoil and recuperatorgearwas re-arranged
and the cradle was changed from the
vertical to the horizontal plane to reduce bts M }.t. IUJ r:,...,JND ~ GERMAN}
........_..--- ---_.......
height. Recoil could be controll ed to com-
pensate for the elevation ofthe gun. There
was mUlti-speed gearing for traverse and I.
,
elevation. The bogies could be removed for
emplacingthegunon its cruciform but the
gun could also be fi red from the carriage
f,S MfA H E ROUND WIl'H riME FUZE IGER.MANi
witha360-degreetraverse.
28
I
ABOVE: Flak 41 in accion Russian Fronc.
.'are 1943. Gun firing from carriage on full
[raverse lefc. RI GHT: Towing vehicle was
(he Sd Kfz 7 half- crack. Now low overall
heighc of equipment.
88 em Pak 43/41
THOUGH of an extemporised nature to speed up the supply of
88 cm guns, the Pak 43/41 was an effective and powerful weapon.
I n essence it was the barrel and breech from the Flak 41 mounted
on the carriage of the standard 10'5 cm field howitzer with the
wheels taken from the 15 cm field howitzer. This provided a weapon
suitable for the anti-tank role. Buffer and recuperator were combined
in the cylindrical housing above the barrel with balancing cylinders
carried vertically each side of the carriage. Despite the large size
of this piece it stood only just over 6 feet high. Details generally were
as for the Flak 41. The Pak 43/41 entered production late in 1943.
30
It was employed much more extensively on the Eastern Front than
in the West.
Table of Characteristics
... 252 inches
Length (overall) . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . ..... 75 inches
Height ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depression ... . . . .. ...... . ..... ... ... .. ... . 5 degrees
Elevation . .......... . ............... . ..... 38 degrees
Traverse ... . ... .. .. . . ..... ..... .. .. .. ..... 58 degrees
Weight .............. . ....... ... .. .... ... . . 9,600 pounds
Detachment . . .. ... . .......... " ... . ?
Other details as Flak 41 .
_eFT: 88 em Pak 43/41 ready for towing
'il th Irails together and the recoil spades
-:::arried on top of the trails. (IWM-STT
7612.) RIGHT: This is a preserved Pak
':' 3/41 at the RAe Tank M useum.
Bovington, England.
1 :76 scale
Drawn by Gerald Dooley
00
Panzorabwehrkanone aa em PAK ~ 3 4 1 l/11
31
ABOVE: The breech mechanism of a 88 em
Pak 43/41. A dial sight is fitted to the sighting
gear (IWM-STT 9465) .
LEFT: Two views of the 88 em Pak 43/41 with
trails spread. recoil spade fitted and the barrel at
maximum elevation (IWM-STT7613).
88 em Pak 43
FINEST of the standard German anti-tank guns, this piece was a
refined and adapted developmen t from the Flak 41 intended for
the anti-tank role only. Lessons learned from battle experience
with the earlier 88 cm guns were all built into this design. It could
be fired from its carriage (with certai n limitations) or from its cruci-
form pedestal. It stood only 66 inches high on its carriage and only
54 inches high when emplaced. Crew protection was good and this
gun w as fired electrically. The bogies were of the single-wheel type.
Later models had solid tyres, but pneumatic tyres were more
common.
ABOVE: The 8 cm Pak 43 shown here could not have been at
tile angle shown as the traverse angle appears to exceed 30 from
the centre line of the carriage. The gun is camouflaged olive green
over sand. Note that the carriage is of the four-wheeled type (IWM-
STT6786). BELOW: Emplaced Pak 43 captured and used by British
troops in France, 7944.
. ,
1 t .. : . ~
Table of Characteristics
Muzzle velocity (AP) ...................... 3,280 feet per second
Maximum range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , , , . ...... 17, 500 yards
Depression .......... . . ,.. .8 degrees
Elevation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 140 degrees
Traverse . . . . . . . . . . .360 degrees
Weight . ..... , .. . ... . , ... . .. " . . . . . . . 7,900 pounds
(emplaced)
13,000 pounds
(on wheels)
Detachment ... . ?
Other details as for Flak 41 ,
34
ABOVE: When lowered on ro irs cruciform plarform rhe 88 cm Pak43
made a l ow, difficult - ro-hir rarger. Emplaced in a field position rhe
gun would be some 72 inches lower than shown here, as the plarform
was dug into the ground (IWM-MH 7874).
RIGHT: A captured Pak 43 in action in Germanv 7945 against ils
former owners. This weapon is being used bV rhe American amJlerV
unir which captured i l . Note. in this case, solid rvres on the carriage
bogie in the foreground. Low overall height. especiallv wirh Ihe
carriage dug in. is apparent (US Official).
35
J
Characteristics
Length of gun . . . ......... 299(312) inches
Length of complete
equipment . . ... . 433 inches
Width (travelling
order) ........ ... . . 98(108) inches
Height (on bogies) . ..... 90(81) inches
Depression ..... .. ....... 5 degrees
Elevation . ..... .......... 45 degrees
Detachment. .... ......... ?
(Second figure applies to Rheinmetall
modeL)
ABOVE: An American soldier gives scale to the massive Krupp 72' S
cm K44. BELOW: The Rheinmetall Pak 44 ( or KwK 82) was similar
but used a more complex six-wheel ed carriage. Note the perforatea
muzzle brakes (I WM -STT8008/US Officia/) .
128 em K44
KRUPP and Rheinmetall both made similar types of 128 cm dual-
purpose anti-tank/ fi eld guns which were built as prototypes in
1943. Few are believed to have actually been built. The Krupp ver-
sion two by two-wheel bogies and the Rheinmetall version had a
two-wheel front and four-wheel rear bogie. The Krupp gun had a
one-piece shield while the Rheinmetall model had a two-piece
'sandwich' - type shield. The Rheinmetall gun had a longer breech
than the Krupp model and a longer muzzle brake. Otherwise the
two guns were closely similar. There was a dual set of traversing and
elevating control wheels each side. though the gunner was placed
on the left in the usual way. The carriage of each gun was of the
cruciform type and the gun was normally lowered from its bogies
and emplaced for firing. Side-folding outriggers were fitled . The
bogies remained attached to the carriage. The muzzle brake in each
case was of the perforated type.
36
APak97/38 inaction
on the Russian Front
2: Captured Guns i n 7943, just after
fir ing. Similari ty 10
the Pak 38, whose
carnage i t shared.
" :he early years of World War 2 the Germans overran nearly all
will be noted Onl y
:: _'ope and, with the maxim of 'to the victor, the spoils' , appro-
the muzzle brake
=- =l ;?d the weapons of the conquered armies. Most of these
readil y identifies the
'. =3pons were put into storage but some were put into use as fully
weapon i n this view.
- members of the Wehrmacht inventory. There were many Pak Note gunner and
in this category, some of which are described below. loader i nwhitewimer
;>robably the most numerous captured anti-tank weapons were
coveral ls.Emp tyshell
cases are ejected 10
.-= Russian guns captured during the heady victorious days of the
therear.
__ an advances of 1941 and 1942. Very large numbers of 762 em
:_ al - purpose (field and anti-tank) guns were captured at a time
" en the T -34 was just beginning to make itself diffi cult on the
=.3 lefield. The only Pak capable of tackling this tank at that time
' 341-2) was the 5 em Pak 38 firing tungsten cored pzGr 40
=,..,mu nition. As usual , there were never enough of these weapons
=.ailable so the captured 762 em guns were turned against their
=: er owners as a quick stop-gap and later as a re-designed and
O"S 'ablished weapon. The designations used for these guns are rather
: ;'l fused as some designations were used for more than one gun
some designations were never used in practice. However there
,',ere two main groups. One was the 762 em Pak 36(r) L/51 which anti-tank role, introduced by the Russians to suppl ement the earlier
" as originally the 762 em 296 field gun. The designation was 296 gun. It has a shorter barrel and was lighter than the earlier gun.
=::Jpl ied to both the unmodified Russian gun using Russian am- Again both German and Russian ammunition variations existed.
unition and the modified gun firing longer German - made 762 em Both types were used in some numbers and were encountered on
:art ridges and with a modified 75 em Pak 40 muzzle brake added. nearly all fronts.
- he other group was known as the 762 em FK 39(r) and also as Another widely used gun was the 75 em Pak 97/ 38. When France
762 em Pak 39(r). To confuse the issue further the same group fell large numbers of the excellent Schneider 75 em model 1896
:;assometimes referred to as the 762 em FK 297(r) afterthe Russian field guns fell into German hands. This gun remains probably the
297 designation, and was for some time referred to by the Allies finest and longest-lived field gun ever built and is still in service
,;;s the 762 em Pak 36(r) ! However, this group consisted of the up- with some armies to this day. The Germans seized upon its possi-
: at ed 7' 62 em field gun, which was also usefully employed in the bilities as an anti-tank gun until the 75 em Pak 40 could enter
37
service. Four extra strengthening hoops were sweated on to the
barrel and a Solothurn perforated muzzle brake was added. This
modified barrel was placed on to the carriage of the 5 cm Pak 38,
although a few used the 75 cm Pak 40 carriage when they were
known as the 75 cm Pak 97/ 40. Ammunition used came from
French, German and Polish sources so the gun can be regarded as
I
a highly economical piece of improvisation.
Another French gun which did not see so much German service
was the 47 cm Pak 181 /183(f). This gun was introduced into French
service during 1937 and taken into limited German service after
1940. Used mainly by forces occupying France and some training
units its limited performance could be boosted by use of the finned
Stielgranate 41 or 42.
Although not strictly a war victim, Czechoslovakia also contributed
to the German anti-tank gun range. Two guns, the 37 cm Pak 37(t)
and 47 cm Pak 36(t) were both appropriated from the Czech
I
Army and were used in small numbers by the Wehrmacht. The 3 7 cm
Pak 37 (t) was similar to the 3 7 cm Pak 35/ 36 while the 4 7 cm
Pak 36(1) was a rather archaic design complete with a heavy
wooden-wheeled carriage and a prominent recoil mechanism above
the barrel. It saw some service during the 1940 campaign but there-
after was phased out of service. The 37 cm Pak 37(t) appears to
have served only with training units and could fire the Stielgranate
41 or 42. The 4 7 cm Pak 36(t) also fired a Czech version of the
Stielgranate, and a casement gun of similar design was employed
in fortification as the 4 7 cm Pak K(t). Both guns were designed and
built by Skoda.
Another German political victim was Austria. This country donated
the 47 cm Pak (Bohler), a small light gun owing much to the 37 cm
Pak 35/ 36 design. Further guns of this design were captured from
the Dutch in 1940. A few saw service in the Russian campaign. This
gun may be the one referred to by some sources as the 47 cm Pak 30.
The Polish Army used these guns during the 1939 campaign and
some of these found their way into the German armoury.
762 em Pak 36(r) and Pak 39(r)
CAPTURED in huge numbers, the Pak 36 gun became a standard
German type and was widely used on all fronts from 1941 until the
war's end. It saw German service in two forms. The major version
intended wholly for the anti-tank role was modified by reboring the
barrel to take the long German cartridge case. The double baffle
muzzle brake of the Pak 40 was added, the breech was modified,
and the carriage re-balanced, to compensate for the increased
weight of the barrel. There were two prominent cylinders in the
cradle for recoil and counter recoil. The elevating handwheel was
BELOW: Front view of a 762 em Pak 36 (r) modified for use wi th
German ammunition. Thi s can be deduced by the 75 em Pak 40 type
muzzle brake. Note the balled-on layer of armour plale on the shield
(IWM-MH7730).
38
~ ~ ~ ...- -.-..--..-.
Characteristi cs
M uzzle velocity .... . . 2,430 feet per second
Maximum effective
range ............ 2,500 yards
Length of gun
(overall) ... 281 inches
Depression. . 4 degrees
Elevation. . . . . , .. 72 degrees
Traverse . . . . . ... 27 degrees right ,
30 degrees left
.-
.
ABOVE: Front three-quarter and side vIews of a 762 Pak 36 (r). (lWM-MH7636/ MH7734)
39
RIGHT: Two 762 cm FK 36 (r) guns in
service in theirnormalrole as fieldguns as
canbeseenfromtheelevationangleandthe
dialsightsmountedon theleft-handsideof
the gun. As anti- tank guns these weapons
tended to relv on shot weight rather than
muzzle velocilV for their effecti veness. The
FK36 (r) gunretainedthe original Russian
barrel and chamber and l acked a muzzle
brake (IWM-MH232)
I
on the right side (though it was on the left
in some examples) and a lever was provided
on the left for traversing. The split trail arms
were of box cross-section , welded and
riveted in construction. Disc wheels and
I
pneumatic tyres were distinctive features,
The shield was of the double layer type, the
added layer being bolted in place to give a
fl
BELOW: The 762 cm Pak 39 (r) was a
shorterlighterpiecethan the Pak36 (r) but
was given similar modifications. Shield
shapeisadistinctiveidenti fyingfeature. (US
Official)
'spaced armour' effect. Examples were seen, however, without the shield. The sight was
affixed to the left of the trunnion. The Pak 36(r) was a robust and reliable weapon which
gave good service to its new owners. Also to be seen in service in some numbers was the
unmodified version of this same gun which went under one or two conflicting designations
but is here called the FK 36(r). Aside from the use of the original unmodified gun barrel and
associated changes this weapon was similar in appearance to the Pak 36(r). A shorter
breech and lack of a muzzle brake were obvious external identifying features. This gun had
been designed by the Russians with a dual-purpose capability. Though the unmodified
weapon was designated as a field gun (FK-field gun) it could also be used in the anti-tank
role. The FK 36(r) used Russian ammunition, big stocks of which were captured with the
guns.
The FK 39(r) was of similar construction to the Pak 36(r) but had smaller wheels and a
higher shield. It had traversing and elevating handwheels on left and right sides of the cradle
respectively. The FK 39(r) was modified in a similar way to the Pak 36(r), complete with
muzzle brake from the Pak 40. It was intended for use as a field gun but it had an anti-tank
capacity and was often used in this role,
40
ABOVE: 4 7 cm Pak 181 (t). Note the extra-large wheels and the
recoil cvlinder on top of the barrel. (IWM-MH7752) . LEFT: The
breech and sighting mechanism of a 47 cm Pak 181/183 (f) (I WM-
MH7791).
47 em Pak 181 (f)
THIS French gun, captured in some numbers when France was
occupied in 1940, was not widely used outside France. However, it
was issued to occupation forces in France and this type was still in
service in 1944 when the Allies started the NW Europe campaign.
The heavy disc-type wheels with prominent cast spokes and solid
rubber tyres were a distinctive feature. They made the weapon
actually look bigger than it really was. In the latter part of the war
this gun was modified to fire the Stielgranate 41 or 42 round as
described on page 9.
41
'I
I
I
11(;, ; ; ~ , ~ r i ~ ~ , til' .'
ABOVE: The four-man crew of a 4'7 cm Pak 36 (t) manhandling
their rather archaic-rooking gun in action in France during 1940, Note
the wooden wheels and the attachment points for the drag-ropes.
(/WM-MH1899.) LEFT: Side view of the Pak 36 ( t) showing trail
folded. ( US Official)
47 em Pak 36 (t)
THIS gun was made ' by Skoda and was a standard model with the
Czech Armyat the time ofthe German annexation in 1939. It was a
light, effecti ve weapon, easy to handle and operate. In the earl ier
partofthewaritwasused insmall numbers.Thesplittrails included
a folding section to shorten the overall length. Construction and
operation of this weapon were comp let ely orthodox.
42
~ = O V E : This photograph shows the crew of a 47 em Pak 36 (I)
- s. ling their gun up a slope. Clearlv visible is (he personal equipment
~ the two soldiers in the foreground together with their l eather
': 5 do/ier-tvpe harnesses for the drag-ropes. Note the camouflaged
- _7 shiela with its asymmetric top edge. Rammer and sponger is
carried in parts on shield front (IWM-MH1895).
43
ABOVE: A knocked-out Pak 97/ 38in North Africa. Note the similaritv
to the Pak 38. the carriage andshieldbeing the same (IWM-NA2580).
75 em Pak 97/ 38
THIS very important weapon was another type captured in large
quantities in 1940 when France was occupied. Unlike the captured
Russian pieces, however, only the gun itself was used, married to
the carriage of the German Pak 38. This equipment did not enter
service u nti I 1942. The characteristics were very similar to the
Pak 38, the shield, cradle, sights, carriage and trails being common.
A castoring wheel could be attached to the trail for manhandling
the piece. This was carried atop the trail, secured by a pin, when
the equipment was being towed. The breech was a distinctive
feature, being of the eccentric screw Nordenfeldt type common to
most French 75 cm guns. The perforated drum-type muzzle brake
was an instant identifying feature.
(fel:;lJJO sn)
PlalLfs aLIi pVlLfaq al]Ua:; aLfi VI xoq aLII VI pawe:; alaM SJLf6lS aLIl
slUni VI 8r;!L6 >jed paln/de:; e aVlwexa SdOOll ve:;uawv :MOne
(86LZii S-/lVMI) Sllel)
aLIi 01 pa;n:;as ale (svn8 aLfi 6vlIPveLfvew vaLfM paAoldwa) slaaLINI
Ilel) 6vlJOJse:; aLfi sle:;Jefj !.eMIlel vo S8/ L6 >jed w:; gL :lH91l:/
~
- ::OVE: This park of captured equipment shows a wide range of
- '71an eqUipment. In the foreground is a 75 cm Pak 97/38 and
:,"rind it a 75 cm Pak 40. Two 762 cm FK 39 (r) s can also be seen
(IWM- NA2988) .
45
Characteristics
M uzzle velocity .. .... ... ... . 2,100 feet per second
(approx)
Length (overall) . . . . . ....... 180 inches
Depression ......... . _.... . . . 10 degrees
Elevation. . .. . . . . .... 18 degrees
Traverse . ... .......... . . .. . . 60 degrees
Weight .. . . . . ..... ... . 2,870 pounds
Detachment ..... . ... . ..... .
BELOW: Breech detail on the Pak 97/38. The cylin-
drical shape of the chamber is distinctive. Carriage
and control mechanism is as for (he Pak 38.
RIGHT: 47 cm Bohler guns in
service with the Polish Army before
the German invasion in 1939. Small
size of the piece is apparent by
comparison (0 the men. It could be
man-hauled or pulled by a light
field car.
I
I
i
47 em Pak (Bohler)
TH IS Austrian - made light anti - tank gun was captured from various
users in the 1939-40 period, Austria, Poland and Holl and in the
main. It was simi lar in most respects to the German Pak 35/36 and
had asimilar performance.These were used in small numbers in the
earlierpartofthewarandsomewereallocatedto mountaindivisions.
LEFT: Russian troops taking notes on a 47 cm Pak (Bohler) whic!;
they have just captured. The Germans used some of these guns in
their mountain units, their light weight lending themselves to the
mountain role. They supplemented the Pak 35/36 in the anti-tank
companies of mountain ballalions (IWM-STT2887).
46
LEFT: 75 em IG 37 L/22 was origin-
al/y designated 75 em Pak 37. It
utilised a Russian gun barrel on the
old Pak 35/36 carriage.
BELOW: Something of a hybrid was the 75 em Pak 50-the cut -
3: Miscellaneous Types
down barrel of a 75 em Pak 40 mated to the carriage of the 5 em
THE 75 cm IG 37 L/ 22 was designated at one time the 75 cm Pak 38. It is identifi ed by the large. square muzzle brake and the short
Pak 37. This piece consisted of a captured Russian barrel fitted with (L/30) length of the barrel.
a muzzle brake and mounted on a 3 7 cm Pak 35/ 36 ca rriage. It was
issued to infantry units from mid - 1944 on and was used as a dual -
purpose w eapon. Thi s gun should not be confused with the 7 5 cm
Pak 50, which was a 75 cm Pak 40 barrel cut down from L/ 46 to
L/ 30 and mounted on a 5 cm Pak 38 carri age. The latter entered
service in late 1944, again mainly with infantry units. A large
muzzle brake was fitted. Neither of these pieces was used in large
numbers, both being expedient designs to best utilise available
components.
47
I
muzzle. The shot was thus 'squeezed' as it travelled along the barrel
and the resultant build-up of pressure gave the gun increased muzzle
velocity. This increased velocity along with tungsten carbide shells
gave the lighter-weight proj ectiles their armour-piercing properties.
However, this principle, although sound, had two main disadvantages.
One was the shortage of tungsten in Germany, as raw materials had
to be imported from abroad. As a result ammunition supplies for the
J
guns dwindled. Another disadvantage was excessive barrel wear, re-
ducing their life to 400 rounds on some models which made their
manufacture uneconomic. However the principle, known as the
Gerlich principle after its initiator, was advanced for its day.
There w ere three tapered bore guns which saw service. These were
the 28 cm schwere Panzerbuchse 41, the 4 2 cm Ie Pak 41 and the
75 cm Pak 41 .
Lightest of all the German anti-tank guns was the 28 cm schwere
Panzerbuchse 41 (abbreviated to 28 cm s pz B 41) . This was a small
lightly constructed weapon which first saw service in 1941 . The
coned barrel tapered from 28 mm at the breech to 20 mm at the
muzzle which gave the projectile (weight only 287 lb.) a muzzle
velocity of 4,550 feet/ sec. There w ere two main models. One,
designed for use by infantry units, used tyred wheels and a small
split trail. The other, the s pz B Ie Feldlafette 41, used a considerably
lightened and simplified carriage with small wheels, designed for use
by airborne troops. Both used the same barrel. Of all the guns in the
tapered bore group the s pz B41 was the most widely encount ered.
Despite the tungsten shortage some were still in limited service in
1945, doubtless because their small shot weight made less demands
48
4: Tapered Bore Guns
THIS group of three anti-tank guns can be vi ewed separately as
they all employed a ballistic development known as the ' tapered
bore' or ' coned barrel' . Each of them used a special flanged projectile
fired along a barrel which gradually decreased in diameter towards the
ABOVE: Tvpical of the tapered- bore guns was the 4 2 cm Ie Pak 41.
The distincti velv tapered barrel is well shown here (US Official).
on supply than the heavier calibre guns.
Next up the scale came the the 42 cm Ie (short for ' Ieichte'-light)
Pak 41 . This had a bore tapering from 42 mm to 28 mm. Externally it
differed little from the 37 cm Pak 35/36 as it used the same carriage
and a very similar shield. The shield , however, used spaced armour
built up over the original shield . First encountered in North Africa in
1942 the 4 2 cm Ie Pak 41 was issued to both infantry and airborne
units, but not in very large numbers due to the tungsten shortage.
Production ceased in 1942.
The third member of the group was the 75 cm Pak 41 L/ 55. As well
as the tapered barrel , which decreased to 55 mm at the muzzle, this
gun employed several oth er advanced design features. One was the
use of the shield as a structural member to which the split trail legs
were attached, reSUlting in low gun weight. Another was an adapta-
tion of the Gerlich principle in that the forward half of the barrel was
unrifled. The gun design was initiated by Krupp at the same time as
the 75 cm Pak 40, ie, late 1939, and its performance was better than
that of its Rheinmettal rival at shorter ranges. Only the tungsten
shortage prevented it becoming the standard Wehrmacht gun, but
150 had been made when production ceased in 1942. These were
issued to special Panzerjiiger units from late 1941 on and used by
them until ammunition supplies ran out. The guns were then
scrapped or adapted to take the standard 75 cm Pak 40 barrel.
=!I GHT: A British soldier demonstrates the
Jperation of the s pz 841. Note that when
in a prepared position the wheels
" re removed and the trails spread. The gunner
' ,i -es from a prone position and the weapon
could be easily concealed.
3 ELOW: A captured s pz 8 41 on show in London. Note the large
, 'ze of the cartridge case in relation 10 the small shell (IWM-STT
5087) .
s PZ B 41
FIRST of the tapered-bore guns to see service, this weapon was first
used in the Western Desert. The gun was normally towed on a
wheeled trailer, the wheels on the gun carriage being solely for
manhandling the weapon into position. It broke down into five
loads for manhandling or transportation when necessary. Construc-
tion of the piece was all welded and the barrel was of simple mono-
bloc type. The trigger was incorporated in hand grips behind the
breech. The gun was traversed and elevated manually by the
gunner, the cradle being pivoted on the carriage. A simple telescope
sight for direct sighting was fitted, with its shield for the gunner.
There was also a main shield, both shields being made on the
'sandwich ' principle. The wheels were removed and the gun stood
on its pedestal mount for firing. The tyres were of the soft 'solid'
type. The airborne version of this same gun was similar in operation
but had a tubular type of carriage with small wheels.
Characteristics
Muzzle velocity.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .4,550 feet per second
Maximum effective range .. . . ...... . . . . . . .. 500 yards
Rate of fire .......................... . ..... 8-10 rds per minute
Weight (overall) . . .... 491 pounds
Detachment. .... . .... . . ..... . ..... .. . ...... 2/3
49
RI GHT: An interesting photograph of a
captured s pz B 41 on the back of a cap tured
Chevrol et truck used by the Germans. The
combination was captured by the British on
March 30, 1942. This portee method of
carrying the gun was an alternati ve to the
towed trailer. The weapon could not be
fired from the truck (IWM-E9972).
LEFT: South African troops examining as pz B 41 on its special trailer. Trailers were needed
for carrying this very l ight gun across country as its light construction could not stand up
to prolonged hard knocks and its wheeled tracks were too narrow for stabil ity (IWM-E7467).
50
51
ABOVE, LEFT.' The s pz B 41 Ie Feldlafeue 41, together with the
ammuni tion boxes. This is the airborne versi on with tubular- type
carriage. ABOVE: Troops of the 6th Armoured Di vision inspect a
camouflaged s pz B 41 in April 1943. The version is that used by
airborne troops, namely the s pz B 41 Ie Feldlafette 41. Note the gun-
layers spaced armour in front of the hand-operated laying gear and
breech (IWM-NA2358).
LEFT: The s pz B 4 1 Ie Feldlafette (and the normal s pz B 41) could be
seen i n service with the shield removed. Tubular construction of
carr/age and very small wheels were [0 reduce weight to a minimum
for air transportation (US Official).
LEFT.' A 42 cm Ie Pak 41 (IWM-STT5533) (top) compared with a
37 cm Pak 35/36 (bottom, IWM-HU3890) from [he same angle
showing [he difference. Note in particular the added shield over the
original shield on [he Pak 41.
42 em Pak 41
VERY similar in appearance to the Pak 35/36, on whose carriage it
was based, the Pak 41 was distinguished by its longer barrel and
spaced shield fitted over the original shield.The barrel tapered from
42 cm to 28 cm. The breec h was manually opErated only, The
cradle, recoil, recuperation , elevation and traverse arrangements
were all similar to those used on the Pak 35/ 36. The piece was not
widely used norwas itextensivelyproduced butitis known to have
been used by some parachute divi sions in the 1942-43 periods.
HE as well as AP ammunition could be used with this gun.
Characteristics
Muzzle velocity.,........... ... . .. . .4,101 feet per second
Maximum effecti verange . .... . ....,... .... 1,000yards (approx)
Rate offire . . .... . .,. . .. . .. . ..... ....10-12rds per minute
Depression . .. ... ....... . . . ..... . ...... ...14degrees
El evation . ... . . ... .... ........ .. . ... . ... . .19degrees
Traverse .................... ...44degrees
Weight..... .... ... . ... . ....1,360 pounds
Detachment .... ....... ........ .. .. .... ...6?
OPPOSITE: A 42cmPak 41wi th a Fallschirmjager-Division dropped
near Rome in J ulV 1943 to hold [he I talian capital against a possible
Allied coup. Note the wires on [he shield for [he atlachment of
camouflage and the ammunition box bet ween the legs of the trail.
52
53
75 em Pak 41
MOST sophisticated of the tapered-bore guns, the Pak 41 tapered
from 75 cm to 55 cm. Centre section of the bore was tapered,
the other two sections being cylindrical in section. The piece was
low and robustly built. It was simple in layout with traverse and
elevation controls to left and right of the cradle respectively. Hy-
draulic recoil and spring recuperator, plus hydraulic brakes which
operated from the towing vehicle were other features.
RIGHT: This carlridge, rhe 75/55 cm pzgr Patr 41 (w) and its shell
illuslrates the Gerlich principle. When fired the flanges on the shell
are squeezed backwards inca the shell casing bV the taper of Ihe
barrel. This increased the muzzle velocity. On striking the target rhe
l ighr ballistic cap and ourercasingbrokeawavleaving the tungsten-
carbide core to penerrate rhe armour. Of tl7e shell's IOtal weight of
5681b aniV 201 Ib made up the weight of the core. The shot weights
given in the tables on the taper-bore guns refer 10 this core weight
onlv (US Official).
Characteristics
.... 4,123 feet per second
(approx)
Maximum effective range . . . . ... 1,600 yards (approx)
Weight ......... . . ..... 2.400 pounds
Detachment. .. . ...... ?
ABOVE: A 75 cm Pak 41 on displav along with other captured
German equipment in a Russian city. The large muzzle brake and
low profile are noteworthy (IWM-STT5447).
COMPLETE ROUND
~ .1 ~
I I ~ N I T R CHLGE CARTR1GE CASE PROJECTIlE
PRIMER
54
5: Self-propelled Anti-tank Guns
order t o increase the mobility of Pak weapons many different
pes of gun were mounted on an even more varied variety of
:nassis. Most of these are mentioned in the Almark publication
?anzerjager. A listof the gunsand the principal vehicles on which
'" ey were mounted follows. Sometypical vehicles are illustrated on
u' e following pages.
3'7 em Pak35/ 36
Infantrie Schlepper Ue(f)
Sfl Bren(e)
pz Kpfw I Ausf B
ZgkwIt (Sd Kfz 10)
Sd Kfz 250/10
Sd Kfz 251/10
5 em Pak38
pz Kpfw II nA (Sd Fgst VK 901)
Borgward pz Sfl1A Feur 5 cm Pak 38 L/60
Sf Borgward VK 302
Sd Kfz 250
Sfl II 'Marder II' (prototype)
leichter Selbstfahrlafette (Sd Kfz 10)
7'5 em Pak40
PzKpfw II Ausf D and E
Sfl II Marder1/ (Sd Kfz 131)
pzJiig 38(t) Marder 1/1 (Sd Kfz 138)
Lorraine Schlepper (f) Marder I (Sd Kfz 135)
GW 39 H (f) (Hotchkiss H35)
GW FCM (f)
RSO (Sfl)
MittlerSchuetzenpanzerwagen S307 (f)
A Czech 47cm Pak 36(I) mounted on a pz Kpfw 7 Ausf B. This was
the first example of a mobile anti-tank gun to see service in World
War 2, and was first used i n France in 7940. The photograph shows a
vehicle of lhe 27 pz-Div captured in Norlh Africa in 7942. Basic
Czech gun is illustrated on page 42.
Sd Kfz 234/4
HLkl 4 (H)
Sd Kfz 251/22
Schneider Kegresse (f)
zgkw (Somua) (f)
8'8 em Pak43
GW. III /IV Nashorn (Hornisse)
Jiigdpanzer Elefant (Sd Kfz 184)
SfI38(d)
pz Jag 38(t)
Panzerjager Panther
55
II
J
3-7 em Pak (f)
R 39 (f)
12-8 em Pak 44
Panzerjager ' Tiger' Ausf B (Jagdtiger)
Su 152(r)
2-8 em sPzB 41
Sd Kfz 222
Sd Kfz 250/ 11
Sd Kfz 251 /1 0 & 3 (field modification)
7-S em (f)
H 39 (f)
7-62 em Pak 36(r)
Marder II (Sd Kfz 132)
Marder III (Sd Kfz 139)
pz Kpfw II Ausf D and E
Zugkraftwagen 5t Diana (Sd Kfz 6)
Panzerjager Selbstfahrlafette Zugkraftwagen 8t 'Artemis'
7-62 em Pak 39(r)
pz Kpfw II Ausf D and E
pz Jag 38(t) (Marder III)
4-7 em Pak 181 (f) 4-7 em Pak 36 (t)
pz Kpfw I Ausf B pz Kpfw I Ausf B
Lorraine Schlepper (f) pz Kpfw 35R (f)
pz Kpfw 35R (f)
56
:: :opOSITE: Marder II/s on the production
.e. This vehicle used the chassIs and hull
:: the ex-Czech pz Kpfw 38(1) and was
z: ?1ed with the 75 cm Pak 40/3, a variant
: : the standard 75 cm gun with the carriage
" :ered only sligh/ly for mounting on a tank
: ';assis. This Marder III was a later version
lhan that using the 762 cm Pak 36(r).
57
ABOVE: These three views of a 76 cm Pak
36 (r) mounted on an early Marder III
(Sd Kfz 739) show the hasty improvisation
of the Czech pz Kpfw 38 (t) tank, to provide
Panzerjiiger units with some degree of
heavier fire-power in 7942. The gun has
been converted to take German ammu-
nition. This can be seen from the addition of
the muzzle brake.
Picrures on this page show a caprured
Diana' or to give its full designation the
76 cm Pak 36 (r) auf Panzerjager Selbst-
fahr lafeue Zugkraftwagen 5t Diana'. As
can be seen from the photograph, this
vehicle was a hasty conversion of a Sd Kfz
6 half-truck chassis to provide a mobile
mount for the 76 cm Pak 36 (r) . The gun
and its carriage were mounted direct on to
the thinlv armoured body and used Russian
ammunition (note absence of the muzzle
brake). Onlv nine of these vehicles were
built and this one was used in the Western
Desert (John Milsom Collection).
LEFT: A 75 cm Pak 40/7 ausf GW 'Lorraine
Schlepper' (f), a vehicle typical of the many
self-propelled mounts for various anti-tank
guns using captured chassis. Known also as
the Marder I, this Panzerjager was used
mainly by units stationed in France. 784
were converted by Becker of Krefeld. This
one is on an anti-invasion exercise in Nor-
mandy in early 1944.
RIGHT: Sfl /I. Marder II (Sd Kfz 737) was
similar to the Marder III in layout. but in this
case a 75 cm Pak 40 was employed in an
open-lOp built - up superstructure on the
basic pz Kpfw II hull and chassis.
59
RIGHT: An 8-8 cm Pak 43/7 Ll77 armed
Nashorn, or Hornisse. This vehicle was
basically a modified pz Kpfw IV chassis
with pz Kpfw III drive and transmission
and lacked the full armour protection and
performance required for a Panzerjager.
However. it served with some success until
more specialised vehicles became available.
.. -.... -
..
-..- ~ - ; : - ~ . _...
~
LEFT: A Brilish soldier demonslraling the
3 7 cm Pak 35/36 mounted on a Sd Kfz 251/
70. Some vehicles of this lype mounted the
28 cm s pz B 41 as an alternative. Platoon
commanders were usually allocated these
armed half-tracks within panzer-grenadier
regiments. The complete gun, cradle, and
shield were secured to a strongback on the
vehicle, essentially unchanged from the
orl[pnal equipment, Part of the shield was
often removed to save weight (IWM-
STT 7390) .
60
LEFT: Sfl 'eren' (e) consisted of a captured
British Bren or Universal Carrier wi th 3 7 cm
Pak 35/36 mounted on it. It was typical of
extemponsed uses of captured eqUipment
(IWM-MH6920),
RIGHT: The SdKfz 250/ 11 half-track carried
the s pz B 41 2B em tapered-bore gun in i ts
traversing turret, The Sd Kfz 222 armoured
car was fitted with the same turret and gun
(IWM-MH8957),
LEFT: One of the best-known of all German
World War 2 AFVs was the Panzerjager
Panther, or Jagdpanther, a specialised tank
destroyer on the chassis of the Panther rank.
This view shows well rhe low-sec limired-
rraverse Pak 43 gun wirh its prominent cast
mantlet.
RIGHT: Sflll Ausf DIE incorporated the Pak
36 (r) on the modified hull and chassis of
the pz Kpfw 1/ Ausf DIE. The onginaltank
model was not wholly successful and the
chassis were used for conversion to Panzer-
jager. Christie-type suspension was distinc-
tive 10 this chassis.
62
Appendix 1:
Experimental Anti-tank Guns
BELOW is a short list of some guns under development when
the war ended. It does not pretend to be complete.
4'5 em Pak (Krupp).
5 em Automatische Pak 206/ 835 (Skoda).
57 em Pak 208 (Pak 43) .
66 em Pak 5/ 800 (Skoda).
75 em Pak 5/ 800 (Skoda) .
81 em Paw 600-Pilot High/ Low pressure gun.
81 em Pwk 8 H63-Production High/ Low pressure gun.
10 em Paw 1000.
105 em Paw 600 (Krupp) .
A wide range of accessories was also under development for
existing guns. These included automatic loading devices for the
75 em and 88 em guns and infra-red sight ing equipment for the
75 em Pak 40 (the Beobachtung Gerat 1221). Ammunition develop-
ment was extensive with emphasis on utilising non-essential war
supplies, eg, using steel or plastic cartridge cases.
63
Appendix 2:
Armour Penetration Powers
TH E following figures show the penetration powers of APC shot
fired at homogenous armour placed 30 from the normal (ie 60
from horizontal). APC-armour- piercing capped.
28 em s pz B 41
37 em Pak 35/36
42 em Pak 41
4 7 em Pak 36 (t)
5 em Pak 38
75 em Pak 40
75 em Pak 41
75 em Pak 97/ 38
762 em Pak 36 (r)
88 em Pak 43
88 em Pak 43/ 41
Range
400 yds
400 yds
700 yds
700 yds
1,000 yds
1,000 yds
1,000 yds
900 yds
1,000 yds
1,500 yds
1,500 yds
Penetration
43 mm
49 mm
68 mm
51 mm
56 mm
102 mm
130 mm
60 mm
83 mm
130 mm
130 mm
Appendix 3: Comparative Data
Tube Weight Muzzle AP
Designation Length in Action Velocity (AP) Traverse Elevation Shot Weight
37 em Pak
8
0
35/36 L/45 5' 5 ~ 970lb 2,625 ft/see 60 - to +25 151b
5 em Pak
38 L/ 60 10' 5" 2,0161b 2,740 ft/see 65 -18 to +27 4561b
75 em Pak
40 L/ 46 11' 4" 3,1361b 2,530 ft/see 65 - 5 to +22 9125 Ib
88 em Pak
43 L/71 21' 7:J,," 8,0001b 3,280 ft / see 360 _ 8 to +40 221b
88 em Pak
43/41 L/71 21' 7:J,," 9,6601b 3,280 ft / see 56 - 5 to +38 22 Ib
128 em K44
L/54.8 21' 9 ~ 22,1761b 3,020 ft/see 360 - 8 to +45 62' 51b
28 em s pz
B 41 5' 7 ~ 501 Ib 4,600 ft/see 90 - 5 to +45 460z
42 em 1e
8
0
Pak 41 7' 4 ~ 990 Ib 4,100 ft/see 44 - to +32 0691b
75 em Pak
41 L/55 13' 7:J,," 3,136 Ib 3,926 ft/see 60 -10 to +18 0 201 Ib
7 62 em Pak
_ 4 - 5 to +75 36(r) L/51 12' 9 ~ 3,5641b 2,430 ft/see 60 16'72 Ib
762 em Pak
39(r) 11' 5" 3,3601b 2,230 ft/see 57 - 6 to +45 16' 72lb
75 em Pak
8
0
97/ 38 L/36.3 9' 8" 2,6241b 1,870 ft/see 60 - to +25 1481b
47 em Pak
36(t) 6' 3" 800Ib 2,540 ft/see 45 - 4 to +30
0
361b
64
German
Anti-tank
Guns
1939-1945
T. J. Gander
First in a new 'Weapons Series',
this book presents an easy-to-
follow guide to all the major
guns used in the anti-tank
role in World War 2 by the
German armed forces; there
are over 80 pictures, numerous
line drawings, descriptive texts,
and data tables
ISBN 0 85524 141 1 (bound)
ISBN 0 85524 142 X (soft
FRONT COVER: 3- 7 cm Pak 36 scores a
hit on an advancing Soviet tank during-the
invasion of Russia in July 1941. Note that
only gunner and loader are with the gun
remainder ofthe detachment being under
cover. BACK COVER: 31 cm Pak 36 i n
action in France, May 1940, with full
detachment(F. J. Stephens) .
UK price: 95p net