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The German 'Eighty Eight' Combat History

The 88mm Flak anit-aircraft/anti-tank gun had it's first combat use in Spain 1936-39, often in dual-purpose role. Remained in service until the end of WWII.

The 88mm FLAK (FlugzeugAbwehrKannone) was originally intended exclusively for anti-aircraft defense. But at its very first use by the Legion Kondor volunteer unit in the Spanish Civil War, the Flak gun was also used on the front lines to attack bunkers and pinpoint targets with anti-tank shells, or against enemy troops, using time-fuze shells with high exploding points.

The 88mm Flak gun stood out on all fronts because of its mobility, rapid rate of fire (15 to 25 rounds per minute, depending on the crew's level of training) and number of possible uses. In Germany it was used to protect important military or supply sites from air attack.

At the fronts, the Flak guns were assigned other combat tasks such as antitank use, attacking bunkers, supporting troops under pressure in ground combat, and on the coasts they they even fired on sea targets and fought off attemps to land. In the Western campain in May 1940 the 88mm Flak was the only weapon that penetrated the heavy French tank armor.

An 88mm Flak in combat against French tanks during the Allied counter-attack near Arras

Great demands were made of Flak units, which accompanied the Panzer troops on their fast advances and received alternating air-protection and ground-combat assignments. That often meant moving their positions two or three times a day, including the work of trenching. Very often in this action, motorized units of the army had to be caught and passed, so as to guarantee gap-free protection against air attacks along the advance route.

Single 88mm Flak guns were also used by so-called Flak battle troups to wipe out enemy points of resistence. The Flak played an outstanding part in penetrating the Maginot line in 1940. In this action antitank shells were fired to put the crews of many concrete bunkers and armored turrets out of action. The best range for firing on bunkers proved to be 600 to 2000 meters.

Originally used as an antiaircraft weapon, the 88mm was turned against the armor of the Eighth Army with harrowing effect. "It could go through all our tanks like butter," one awed Englishman later attested.

T 34-85 in Heiligenbeil

In the Russian campaign the 88m Flak proved so succesful in action against the heavy Russian T34 and "Joseph Stalin" tanks that this gun, in somewhat modified form, was mounted on the chassis of the PzKpfw III and IV to make it more mobile for Russian road and off-road conditions. These tank destroyers were known by the names of Hornisse (Hornet) and Nashorn (Rhinoceros). Later a derivate of the German PzKpfw V was armed with this "high-speed cannon", resulting in the Jagdpanther, as was the PzKpfw VI as the "Elefant".

Since the anti-tank units could scarcely hold their own against the Russian T34 tanks with their 37mm Pak guns (known to the troops as "army door-knockers" because of their poor penetrating power ), 88mm Flak guns had to be used again and again, often as the only effective weapon available.

Later in the course of the war, well-trained and experienced Flak units were transferred more and more often from home defence to the fronts. They were often replaced by schoolboys or Hitler Youth members as Luftwaffe helpers (Flak aides), or by young people chosen by the SS from the occupied territories in the east.

Today's Educational Sources and suggestions for further reading:

wnet.suomi.net
www.strategyplanet.com
www.wargamer.com
www.autogallery.org
armyheritage.org

Connecticut class battleship
displacement. 16,000 t. length. 456'4"
beam. 76'10"
draft 24'6"
speed. 18 k.
complement. 827
armament. 4 12", 8 8", 12 7", 20 3", 4 21" tt.

The USS Connecticut (BB-18) was launched 29 September 1904 by New York Navy Yard; sponsored by Miss A. Welles, granddaughter of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War; and commissioned 29 September 1906, Captain W. Swift in command.

Joining the Atlantic Fleet, Connecticut became flagship 16 April 1907, and later that month joined in the Presidential Fleet Review and other ceremonies opening the Jamestown Exposition. On 16 December 1907, still flagship, she sailed from Hampton Roads on the cruise round the world of the Great While Fleet. On 8 May 1908, the Atlantic Fleet joined the Pacific Fleet in San Francisco Bay for a review by the Secretary of the Navy, and the combined fleets continued their cruise, with Connecticut as flagship, showing the flag and bringing a show of American strength to many parts of the world. The fleet returned to Hampton Roads 22 February 1909.

Upon her return to the United States, Connecticut was modernized, receiving new "cage" masts, grey paint and numerous other alterations. Continuing to serve as flagship for the Atlantic Fleet until 1912, Connecticut cruised the east coast and the Caribbean from her base at Norfolk, conducting training and joining in ceremonial observances. Between 2 November 1910 and 17 March 1911, she made an extended cruise in European waters on a scouting problem. Between 1913 and 1915, Connecticut served with the Fourth Division, Atlantic Fleet, usually as flagship. Aside from a brief cruise to the Mediterranean in October and November 1913, she served in the Caribbean, protecting American citizens and interests during disturbances in Mexico and Haiti.

After repairs and temporary service as receiving ship at Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1916, Connecticut returned to full commission 3 October 1916 as flagship of the Fifth Division, Battleship Force, Atlantic Fleet. She operated along the east coast and in the Caribbean until the United States entered World War I. Based in the York River, Va., during the war, she exercised in Chesapeake Bay, and trained both midshipmen and gun crews for merchant ships. At the close of the war, she was fitted out for transport duty, and between 6 January and 22 June 1919 made four voyages to return troops from France. On 23 June 1919, she was reassigned, becoming flagship of Battleship Squadron 2, Atlantic Fleet.

In the summer of 1920, Connecticut sailed to the Caribbean and the west coast on a midshipman-Naval Reserve training cruise. The next summer found her in European ports on similar duty, and upon her return to Philadelphia 21 August 1921, was as signed as flagship Train, Pacific Fleet. She arrived at San Pedro, Calif., 28 October, and during the following year cruised along the west coast, taking part in exercises and commemorations. Entering Puget Sound Navy Yard 16 December 1922, Connecticut was decommissioned there 1 March 1923, and sold for scrapping 1 November 1923, in accordance with the Washington Treaty for the limitation of naval armaments.

Big Guns in Action!

On This Day In History

Birthdates which occurred on October 27:
1728 James Cook captain/explorer, discovered Sandwich Islands
1782 Niccolo Paganini Genoa It, composer/violin virtuoso (Princess Lucca)
1811 Issac Merrit Singer inventor (1st practical home sewing machine)
1844 Klas Arnoldson Sweden, politician/pacifist (Nobel 1908)
1858 Theodore Roosevelt (R) 26th Pres (1901-09) (Nobel 1906)
1872 Emily Post authority on social behavior, writer (Etiquette)
1889 Enid Bagnold novelist (1956 Award of Merit)
1910 Fred de Cordova film/TV producer (The Tonight Show)
1910 Jack Carson Manitoba Canada, actor (Star is Born, Mildred Pierce)
1911 Leif Erickson Calif, actor (Invaders from Mars, On the Waterfront)
1912 Conlon Nancarrow Texarkana Arkansas, composer (Soundings 4)
1914 Dylan Thomas Swansea, Wales, poet (Child's Christmas in Wales)
1917 Oliver Tambo leader of African National Congress
1918 Paul Dixon Earling Iowa, Ohio talk show host (Paul Dixon Show)
1918 Teresa Wright NYC, actress (Pride of the Yankees)
1920 Nanette Fabray San Diego Calif, actress (One Day at a Time)
1922 Ralph Kiner HR hitter (Pitts Pirates)/sportscaster (NY Mets)
1923 Roy Lichtenstein US, Pop art painter; painted comic book panels
1923 Ruby Dee Cleve Ohio, actress (Raisin in the Sun, Cat People)
1925 Jane Connell Oakland Calif, actress (Jane-Stanley, Bridget-Dumpling)
1925 Mary Kay Steans Glendale Calif, actress (Mary Kay & Johnny)
1926 HR Haldeman former White House Chief of Staff-Watergate figure
1928 Kyle Rote football half-back (NY Giants 1951-61)
1930 Bill George NFL linebacker (Chicago Bears, LA Rams)
1932 Jean-Pierre Cassel Paris France, actor (The Trout)
1932 Sylvia Plath American poet (Bell Jar)
1933 Floyd Cramer La, country pianist (Last Date, On the Rebound)
1939 John Cleese comedian/actor (Monty Python, Fawlty Towers)
1940 Lee Greenwood country singer (God Bless the USA)
1945 Carrie Snodgress Park Ridge Ill, actress (Diary of Mad Housewife)
1946 Peter Martins
1946 Steven R Nagel Canton Ill, USAF/astr (STS 51-G, STS 61-A, STS 37)
1946 Terry J Hart Pittsburgh Penn, astronaut (STS 41C)
1947 Terry Anderson AP correspondant/US hostage held in Lebanon (1984-)
1951 Jayne Kennedy Wash DC, actress (Penitentiary)
1953 Michael A Baker Memphis Tenn, Lt Cmdr USN/astronaut (STS 43)
1953 Peter Firth Bradford England, actor (Equus, Lifeforce, Tess)
1958 Simon Le Bon rocker (Duran, Duran-Hungry Like the Wolf)
1963 Deborah Moore London England, actress (Danielle=-Day of Our Lives)
1963 Marla Maples Dalton Ga, model/Donald Trump's main squeeze
1968 Kata Karkkainen Helsinki Finland, playmate (Dec, 1988)

Deaths which occurred on October 27:
0925 Rhazes, [Abu Bakr Mohammed ibn Zakarijja al-Razi), Persian, dies
1439 Albrecht II von Habsburg, king of Bohemia/Hungary/Germany, dies at 42
1553 Michael Servetus Spanish physician burns at stake for heresy
1955 Clark Griffith baseball player/manager (NY Yankees), dies at 85
1962 Fatso Marco comedian (Milton Berle Show), dies at 56
1964 Sammee Tong actor (Bachelor Father, Mickey), dies at 63
1972 Lew Parker actor (Lou Marie-That Girl), dies a day before turning 65
1987 Jean H‚lion artist/author, dies at 83
1988 S.B. Fuller founder of Fuller products, dies at 83
1990 Elliott Roosevelt son of FDR, dies at 80
1990 Xavier Cugart bandlander, dies from heart failure at 90
1996 Morey Amsterdam actor/comedian (Dick Van Dyke Show) at 74

Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1965 MOORE DENNIS A.---LITTLETON CO.
[02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE IN 98]
1966 JOHNSON DALE A.---ELIZABETHTON TN.
1967 BLACK JON D.---JOHNSON CITY TN.
[02/16/68 RELEASED]
1967 CONNER LORENZA---CARTERSVILLE GA.
1967 FLYNN JOHN P.---CLEVELAND OH.
[03/14/73 RELEASED BY DRV,"DECEASED MARCH 5, 1997"]
1967 STIRM ROBERT L.---SAN FRANCISCO CA.
[03/14/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE AND WELL 98]
1967 TEMPERLY RUSSELL E.---BOSTON MA.
03/14/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE AND WELL 98]
1968 EDMUNDS ROBERT CLIFTON JR---RICHMOND VA.
[REMAINS RETURNED 06/88]
1969 HERRICK JAMES W.---PANDORA IA.
1972 ANDERSON EVELYN---QUINCY MI.
NOT ON OFFICIAL DIA LIST, REM RET 11/72]
1972 KOSIN BEATRICE---FORT WASHAKIE WY.
[NOT ON OFFICIAL DIA LIST.]
1972 MATTIX SAMUEL A.---CENTRALIA WA.
[03/28/73 RELEASED BY PL]
1972 OPPEL LLOYD D.---CANADA
03/28/73 RELEASED BY PL, ALIVE 99]

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.

On this day...
0097 To placate the Praetorians of Germany, Nerva of Rome adopts Trajan, the Spanish-born governor of lower Germany.
625 Honorius I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
1644 2nd Battle at Newbury: King Charles I beats parliamentary armies
1787 Federalist letters start appearing in NY newspapers
1795 Treaty of San Lorenzo, provides free navigation of Mississippi
1809 President James Madison orders the annexation of the western part of West Florida. Settlers there had rebelled against Spanish authority
1858 RH Macy & Co opens 1st store, (6th Ave-NYC) Gross receipts $1106
1871 Boss Tweed (William Macy Tweed), Democratic leader of Tammany Hall, arrested after NY Times exposed his corruption
1880 Theodore Roosevelt marries Alice Lee, on his 22nd birthday
1886 Musical fantasy "Night on Bald Mountain," performed in Russia
1893 Hurricane hits coast between Savannah Ga & Charleston SC
1896 1st Pali Road completed in Hawaii (winds so strong streams flow UP!)
1904 World's 1st subway, the IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit), opens in NYC, subway/bus fare is set at one nickel
1913 Pres Wilson says US will never attack another country
1916 1st published reference to "jazz" appears (Variety)
1919 Axeman of New Orleans claims last victim
1920 League of Nations moves headquarters in Geneva
1920 Westinghouse radio station in East Pittsburgh, KDKA begins
1922 1st commemoration of Navy Day
1924 The Uzbek SSR forms
1925 Water skis patented by Fred Waller
1931 Chuhei Numbu of Japan, sets then long jump record at 26' 2¬"
1938 DuPont announces its new synthetic fiber will be called "nylon"
1941 Chicago Daily Tribune editorialize there will not be war with Japan
1947 "You Bet Your Life", with Groucho Marx, premieres on ABC radio
1948 Israel recaptures Nizzanim in the Negev
1954 B O Davis Jr becomes 1st black general in USAF
1954 Walt Disney's 1st TV show, "Disneyland," premieres on ABC
1959 Rare Pacific hurricane kills 2,000 in Western Mexico
1960 Singer Ben E King records "Spanish Harlem" & "Stand By Me"
1961 American Basketball League starts play
1961 Outer Mongolia & Mauritania become the 102nd & 103rd members of UN
1967 4 people from Baltimore pour blood on selective service records
1967 Expo '67 closes in Montreal, Canada
1969 Ralph Nader sets up a consumer organization known as Nader's Raiders
1969 St Vincent & the Grenadines gains associated status with Britain
1971 Republic of the Congo becomes Republic of Za‹re
1971 Steve Garvey weds Cynthia Truhan
1972 Golden Gate National Recreation Area created
1973 1st time Islanders beat the Rangers-3-2
1973 Alabama sets offensive record (828 yds), beats Virginia Tech 77-6
1977 NASA launches space vehicle S-200
1978 Begin & Sadat win the Nobel Peace prize
1978 President Carter signs Hawkins-Humphrey full employment bill
1979 Islanders score 2 goals within 6 seconds 3 goals within 44 seconds
1979 St Vincent & the Grenadines becomes independent of UK (Nat'l Day)
1979 Voluntary Euthanasia Society publishes how-to-do-it suicide guide
1980 Dave Gryllis sets world bicycle speed record of 94.37 kph
1981 Andrew Young, former UN Ambassador, elected mayor of Atlanta, Georgia
1982 China announces its population at 1 billion people plus
1982 IBM ROM is capable of EGA graphics
1984 Wash State's Rueben Mayes sets col football rec of 357 yards rushing
1985 KC Royals beat St Louis Cards, 4 games to 3 in 82nd World Series
1985 Thieves steal 9 paintings, including 5 Monet's & 2 Renoir's
1986 NY Mets beat Boston Red Sox, 4 games to 3 in 83rd World Series
1986 Paul McCartney release "Pretty Little Head"
1987 South Korean voters overwhelmingly approved a new constitution
1988 "ET" released to home video (14 million presold)
1988 Larry Flynt paid hitman $1M to kill Hefner, Guccione & Sinatra
1991 Minn Twins beat Altanta Braves 1-0 in 10 to win the 8th World Series in 7

Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Cuba : Discovery Day (1492)
Iran : Imam Reza's Birthday
St Vincent Islands : Statehood Day (1969)
US : Navy Day (1775)
US : Mother-in-Law's Day (Sunday)
New Zealand : Labour Day-last Monday in October (Monday)
US some states : Veterans Day (Monday)
US : Francis E Willard Day-temperance day (Friday)
National Magic Week (Day 3)
Computer Learning Month
National Seafood Month

Religious Observances
RC : Comm of St Frumentius, bishop; founded Ethiopian church
Feast of St. Claudia, Pilate's wife (Eastern Church).

Religious History
1553 In Switzerland, Spanish physician Michael Servetus, 42, convicted for promulgating anti-Trinitarianism, was condemned for heresy and blasphemy, and burned at the stake in Geneva.
1771 Landing at Philadelphia, pioneer bishop Francis Asbury, 26, first arrived in America. He had been sent from England by John Wesley to oversee Methodism in the American colonies, and stayed all of his remaining 45 years, till his death in 1816.
1889 The first Lithuanian Church in America was organized in Plymouth (near Wilkes-Barre), PA. Rev. Alexander Burba was its first pastor.
1963 One month before his death at age 65, English apologist C.S. Lewis wrote in a letter: 'Autumn is really the best of the seasons; and I'm not sure that old age isn't the best part of life.'
1977 American missionary and apologist Francis Schaeffer wrote in a letter: 'The unforgivable sin is not something done once and for all and which when done is without remedy. it is the constant, unremitting resistance of the gracious work of the Holy Spirit for salvation.'

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

Thought for the day :
"The reluctance to put away childish things may be a requirement of genius."

Children's stories that never made it...
Teddy: the Elf with the Detached Retina.
Curious George and the High-Voltage Fence.
Charles Manson Bedtime Stories.
The Little Engine that Could Becomes intoxicated and Kills Civillians.

Murphys Law of the day...(Military Laws)
Don't be conspicuous. In the combat zone, it draws fire. Out of the combat zone, it draws sergeants.

Astounding fact #197...
"Hang On Sloopy" is the official rock song of Ohio.