It was not one gun but a series of anit-aircraft guns officially called the 8.8cm Flak 18, 36 or 37, and could also include newer more powerful models, the flak 41 and 43, although these were different weapons.
Flak is an abbreviation for Fliegerabwehrkanone, meaning anit-aircraft gun, the original purpose of the eighty-eight. A number of versions were also produce for anti-tank use, referred to as Pak ss (an abbreviation of Panzerabwehrkanone, meaning anti-tank gun).
This weapon was first developed as an anti-aircraft gun. But its efficiency against enemy tank armour motivated its development as main armament of some tanks like the famous “Tiger I” tank.
To see World War II vehicles, artillery and artifacts in Normandy take a Normandy Tour visiting; Gold, Juno, Utah, Omaha and Sword Beaches, Pegasus Bridge, Merville Battery and many more.
