The 128mm FlaK 40 was one of the largest anti-aircraft weapon systems employed by the Germans in World War 2. Design of the type began as early as 1936 under the charge of the Rheinmetall-Borsig concern and then known as the "Gerat 40", intended as an in-the-field gun system for the German Army. Little priority was given to the project initially and a pilot gun was tested in 1937, proving the design sound though heavy and of limited value to the Army and its mobile nature. As such, the weapon was now redirected for the static anti-aircraft role that saw her mounting platform reworked in response. The end result became the "12.8cm FlaK 40", a fine anti-aircraft system that would see combat action in World War 2 while being limited by general availability.
While the FlaK 40 was typically utilized on its static carriage system, production was already under way of six "mobile" versions, these mounted atop multiple-axle transport carriages to help content with the massive weapons weight over distances. Despite their mobile classification, these examples still proved heavy and cumbersome to maneuver with any great haste. It came to be that the weapon was eventually dismantled between two loads for transport but even this method was equally time consuming and impractical, forcing the Germans to revert back to the original single-load process for transporting the weapon.
Due to the heavy nature of the weapon system as a whole, the FlaK 40 was eventually settled as a static gun emplacement along few - though critical - airspace routes throughout the Reich. Berlin and Vienna were two such locales protected FlaK 40 guns and even then some of these weapons had specially constructed towers designed to manage their weight and take on even greater vantage points. To compensate for the FlaK 40s limited tactical value, engineers eventually managed a railcar variant that supplied only limited additional mobility.
As the Allied bombing campaign (day and night) was taking an ever increasing toll on German war-making capacities, a twin-gun variant was also developed and these were designated as "12.8cm FlaK 40 Zwilling". These were essentially the same class of weapon though completed with two side-by-side 128mm gun barrels, appropriate fire control systems and dual loading facilities all fitted to the original mount. Production of this form also began in 1942 to which some 34 examples were available by February of 1945. Again, the sheer weight and complexity of these systems made their availability limited and, thusly, they were utilized strictly around key Reich centers.
One final FlaK 40 alternative became the "12.8cm PaK 40" gun system. This was an anti-tank evolution of the FlaK 40 intended to arm the new "Sturer Emil" tracked heavy tank destroyers. However the Rheinmetall design lost out to a Krupp submission after evaluation. Regardless, only two Sturer Emil prototypes were completed before the end of the war in May of 1945.
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ANTI-AIRCRAFT / AIRSPACE DENIAL
Base model or variant can be used to search, track, and neutralize airborne elements at range.
FIRE SUPPORT / ASSAULT / BREACHING
Support allied forces through direct / in-direct fire, assault forward positions, and / or breach fortified areas of the battlefield.
25.6 ft (7.8 meters) Length
37,479 lb (17,000 kg) Weight
18.7 tons (Light-class) Tonnage
None. This is a towed artillery piece. Drive System
7 miles (11 km) Road Range
1 x 128mm main gun barrel
AMMUNITION
Dependent upon ammunition carrier.
12.8cm FlaK 40 - Base Series Designation
Images
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View of the 12.8cm FlaK 40 anti-aircraft artillery system
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