The FReeper Foxhole Studies the German 88mm - Fliegerabwehrkanonen (Flak) AAA

Mornin'.

Dang Mondays anyway. ;)

21 posted on 10/27/2003 5:55:34 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)

To: snippy_about_it

Good Morning Snippy.

What a pleasant surprise! No wonder you wouldn't tell me what the thread was about. The 88 was an excellent weapon and turned out to be ,IMHO, the best tank killer of the war. There were few allied tanks that could survive a hit from it.

Good job on covering both uses of this gun.

Flak was deadly when on target, all the bombers could do was fly straight and level during the bomb run, image the courage that took.

This B-17 took a direct flak hit in the waist over Debrecen, Hungary which killed three crewmen and wounded two others. Threatening to come apart in mid-air the pilot nursed it home to a safe landing, but the weakened fuselage collapsed on touchdown.
Text and photo source: Air Classics magazine, July 1972

On October 15, 1944 "Little Miss Mischief" took a flak hit on the left side near the ball turret. The blast threw the right waist gunner to the floor, with shrapnel in his foot. Incredibly, the ball turret gunner's only injuries were the loss of a little toe and frostbite from the high altitude.
SOURCE: B-17 In Action by Squadron/Signal Publications

1st Lt. Lawrence DeLancey managed to get his B-17 back to England after a direct hit by flak killed two of his crew over Cologne, Germany.
Source: Air War Against Hitler's Germany by Stephen W. Sears

The togglier, Lt L.J. Clements, was killed by the 88mm shell that took the nose piece off 96BG's 43-39107 over Hengesty, March 23, 1945. The bomber was force-landed at Woensdrecht airfield.
Source: Mighty Eighth War Diary by Roger A. Freeman

"Hang the Expense Again III" was seen heavily damaged, going down over France. The pilot, however, was able to bring it out of a dive and struggled back to his home field. The blast damage blew the tail gunner out of the aircraft but he survived the incident.
SOURCE: Flying Forts by Martin Caiden, additional material by Ray Cary

22 posted on 10/27/2003 7:32:39 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))

Morning Radu. Love the fishing picture.

23 posted on 10/27/2003 7:35:36 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))

To: snippy_about_it

24 posted on 10/27/2003 7:35:36 AM PST by manna

Morning Mayor. Looks like our last day of nice weather for us. Your coffee's gonna be real welcome on those chilly mornings.

25 posted on 10/27/2003 7:37:34 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))

26 posted on 10/27/2003 7:37:51 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)

Crikey, Look at the angle of that turn.

I hope the tractors on the flight deck are tied down real good. :)

27 posted on 10/27/2003 7:38:15 AM PST by Johnny Gage (Have you ever imagined a world without hypothetical situations?)

Morning E.G.C.

Supposed to be 70 and sunny today and then back to the 50's and rain starting tomorrow.

28 posted on 10/27/2003 7:38:25 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))

Thank you SAM.

What a good idea to show pictures of the damaged caused by the 88.

That's why you're the master and I'm but the grasshopper, well, foxette :)

29 posted on 10/27/2003 7:39:54 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)

Man! I love seeing those big guns go off (Even if they only are 8 inch)

30 posted on 10/27/2003 7:40:39 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))

Great fishing picture! Thanks for sharing.

31 posted on 10/27/2003 7:57:40 AM PST by Samwise (There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.)

To: snippy_about_it

The 88 could make holes in almost any Allied Armor

32 posted on 10/27/2003 8:00:16 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))

WOW! Must be those outboard Mercs they added. ;-)

33 posted on 10/27/2003 8:01:16 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))

To: AnAmericanMother

Great story! And a typical G.I. remark.

The 88 had an almost flat trajectory, one of the things that made it so deadly. The shot also hit before the sound of the gun firing was heard.

34 posted on 10/27/2003 8:03:38 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))

To: snippy_about_it

Thanks for today's post, snippy.

35 posted on 10/27/2003 8:03:56 AM PST by Samwise (There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.)

You're welcome Samwise. Good morning.

36 posted on 10/27/2003 8:09:03 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)

To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf

Morning Glory Snip and Sam~

Fascinating read. I had seen the white rings on different FLAKS from actual footage (History Channel), but never knew why. And now I know! Thank you for not forcing us to properly pronounce the full name. ;^)

37 posted on 10/27/2003 8:09:05 AM PST by w_over_w ( . . . continue on next page.)

Wow. Those tanks don't look too good after the hits from the 88's.

Thanks for the pics.

38 posted on 10/27/2003 8:12:54 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)

Good Morning Feather.

39 posted on 10/27/2003 8:13:44 AM PST by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))

"I'll let ya know if I find th' one wot invented the 88."

40 posted on 10/27/2003 8:14:04 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . sed, ut scis, quis homines huiusmodi intellegere potest?. . .)

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