Here I created an Index of Self propelled and used german WW2 Flaks and their ammunition. Going from small (20mm) to the biggest automatic (50mm) Flak which where used in a self propelled form.
Also make shure to check out my other 2 Posts about Tank, Anti Tank and other Guns as well as Aircraft Armarments.
These rounds would also be available to choose from when Custom Belts get added some day.
For some guns the Worn barrel (Schußtafelmäßig) and new barrel velocitys are known, ill writem them simply as xxx/xxxm/s
Inside of the folder i will add special info about the ammo and usage (if there are dedicated ones).
(I leave most Üb (practice) out of the list.)
Visible destinction of ammo types:
Yellow: He and He-I
Blue: Incendary with nose fuze
Black: Ap
Black with a blue band at the shoulder: Ap-I
Black with a yellow band at the shoulder: Aphe
Black with a blue and a yellow band at the shoulder: Aphe-I
Black with a white tip: HVAP/APCR
Light red band above the driving band: Leuchtspur (tracer for day use)
Dark red band above the driving band: Glimmspur (tracer for night use)
Stencil letters on the body of the projectile:
M: Minengeschoss/M-Geschoss → Thin walled with high bursting charge
Ph: Incendary filler is phosphorus
E: Incendary filler is thermite/Elektron
Round nameing nomenclature:
Here i break appart how the names of the rounds come together:
First a short list of what the words are, their short forms and english translation.
M, Minen → High capacity (in this context)
H, Hochgeschwindigkeits → High velocity (but it also sayes that it has an Tungsten core)
Pz, Panzer → Armor/Armorpiercing (in this context)
Br, Brant → Incendary
Spr, Spreng → High explocive
L`Spur, Leucht Spur → Tracer (day)
Gl`Spur, Glimm Spur → Tracer (night)
o.Zerl, ohne Zerleger → non Selfdestruct
m.Zerl, mit Zerleger → Selfdestruct
gr., Granate → Grenade/round (in this context)
gesch., Geschoss → Round
Patr., Patrone → Caseing
These shortforms are put together to descripe the round, but there are some rules:
The pattern is the following: x-xxxxxxxxx. x`Spur x.Zerl
The first letter shows the general Type it ca be an M- or an H- or noting, in wich case it is normal.
Then the next descripe the effect, which have an hirachy:
- Pz 2. Br 3. Spr
Another rule is that Br is only in the name when a dedicated incendary material (for example Electron Thermite or Phosphorus), but not if only the He filler has an certain incenday effect like HA 41 or HTA.
Also if it is M- it wont get the Spr addition.
Then comes the gr. or in the case if it is only an M- round without dedicated Pz or Br an Gesch. comes instead of gr.
If the round has an Incenday effect the type is written in ( ) behind gr. if it has an own fuzeing (In Ap rounds), but not if the incenday effect is set free with detonation of the main charge (for example in the 3 cm Pzbrsprgr. L`Spur o.Zerl.)
Next If it has a tracer it is written and which type L or Gl if none then it is simply left out.
After that comes o.Zerl. or m.Zerl., but that is unique to every round, because allmost all rounds (except Ap rounds) have both self destruct and non self destruct fuzes available.
If you are talking about the whole round with caseing an additional Patr. comes after gr./gesch.
Here are some examples, of course the caliber comes infront of the name:
H-Pzgr. L`Spur o.Zerl
M-Pzgr. L`Spur o.Zerl
Pzgr. L`Spur o.Zerl
M-Gesch. o.Zerl
M-Brgr. o.Zerl
Sprgr. Gl`Spur o.Zerl
Pzbrsprgr. L`Spur o.Zerl
Common He filler and their aquivalent:
PENT: x1,7 HTA: x1,2 HA 41: x1,6
20mm Flak 30/38 L/65
Picture Flak 30:
Picture Gebirgsflak 38:
The Gebirgsflak 38 is a lightweight version, which can be disassebled into 3 pieces to carry it by 3 solders.
The Mounting is also lightweight and has increased vertical traverse for fighting in the mountains.
Ill put these 2 together cince they have the same L/65 barrle and the same 20x138mmB Rh ammo.
Caliber: 20mm
Ammo: 20x138mmB Rheinmetall
Fire Rate: 300 rpm (30) 480 rpm (38)
Magazine fed: 20 rounds. In the war greater size magazins were developed, with 30 rounds, 5,3 kg and 40 rounds, 7 kg, both 20 and 40 round magazines were used by Heer and Kriegsmarine. Upon shooting all rounds, the bolt stays open and automatically ejects the magazin, ready to directly insert a new one for high tactical fire rate.
Muzzle velocity: 800-1050 m/s
Weight: 450kg (30) 405(38) (around 64 and 56 kg KwK (30 and 38) alone)
1509kg (Vierling with trailer) Gebirgsflak 38 176kg
Mounts:
Flak 30 Lafette: -12° to +90°
Flak 38 Lafette: -20° to +90°
Flakvierling 38: -10° to +100°
Ammo Types: Ap-T, ApI-T, Aphe-T, APCR-T, He-I, HeI-T and HeI-T (m) (And self destruct)
AP:
Pzgr. L'Spur. o.Zerl. (Ph.) (ApI-T) 0,148kg 800/820m/s 37/39mm/10m
Note: Used against ground targets. Soft and armored. 3g White Phosphor Core. Were fully replaced by the empty ones and later .Zerl in the Desert and other hot places, as the phosphorus had a nasty tendency to self ignite in hot weather. The “Ph.” marked ones were standard with the filler, however they also existed with an “O.” which indicated they didnt have a filler and were only 143g (and 830m/s).
“Alte Fertigung” (old construction) without boattail, Neuer Fertigung" has a boattail.
Pzgr. L'Spur o.Zerl. (O.) (Ap-T) 0,143kg 830-835/850-855m/s 38,71-39,07/40-40,41mm/10m
Note: Used against ground targets. Soft and armored. White stenciled “O.” (ohne/without) indicated empty projectiles.
“Alte Fertigung” (old construction) without boattail, Neuer Fertigung" has a boattail.
Pzgr. L'Spur zerl. (Aphe-T Sd) 0,146 kg 815-820/835-840m/s 2,4g Pent 35,49-35,80/34,90-35,20mm/10m
NOTE: Against ground and air tragets. Soft and armored.
It does NOT have a fuze, the filler is for self destruction, in game it would also explode upon impact when shattering, like the japanese 30mm Aphe.
“Alte Fertigung” (old construction) without boattail, Neuer Fertigung" has a boattail.
Pzgr.40 L'Spur. o.Zerl. (HVAP-T) 0,100kg 1050m/s 62g core 12x45mm 50mm/10m
Note: Only used against heavy armored targets, where the standart Ap ammo does not penetrate.
(There were 3-4 generations, with ever increasing length and slightly weight, to improve stability.)
Pzsprgr. L'Spur o.Zerl. (Aphe-T) 0,148 kg 800/820m/s 3,6g Pent 33/34,26mm/10m
Note: Mainly (?) used by the Navy and only against ground targets.
“Alte Fertigung” (old construction) without boattail, Neuer Fertigung" has a boattail.
Pzsprgr. L'Spur m.Zerl. (Aphe-T Sd) 0,120-122 kg 900/920m/s 3,5g Pent (5,95g TnTa) 32,80-33,85mm/10m
Note: Mainly (?) used by the Navy under the name Psgr. L’Spur and against ground and air targets.
“Alte Fertigung” (old construction) without boattail, Neuer Fertigung" has a boattail.
(This last picture is an adaption for the Mg151/20 and uses a different shorter tracer, which results in it beeing also a bit lighter)
He:
Sprgr. L'Spur m.Zerl. (Hef-T Sd.) 0,115 910/930m/s 6,2g Pent (10,54g) 5mm/10m
Old design without boattail, prewar, replaced by Sprgr. L’Spur W, only remaining stock was used in the war.
Sprgr. L'Spur. W m.Zerl. (Hef-T Sd.) 0,120kg 900/920m/s 6,2g Pent (10,54g) 5mm/10m
Against air and ground targets.
Sprgr. Erd. o.L'Spur. o.Zerl. (Hef) 0,120kg 900/920m/s 11g Pent (18,7g)
Note: Only against groundtargets. Other name is Spr.Gr.39.
(Couldnt find the correct drawing, the Br.Sprgr. o.L’Spur is basically the same, just different filler with Zink.
Brsprgr. vk. L'Spur m.Zerl (Hefi-T Sd.) 0,120kg 900/920m/s 19g H.5 and Zink
Note: Against Air and Ground targets, reduced tracer length for increased filler. The full feight of the H.5 and Zink mixture is 19g, not the pure He filler.
Brsprgr. o.L'Spur. m.Zerl. (Hef-I Sd.) 0,120kg 900/920m/s 20g H.5 and Zink
Note: Against ground and air targets. No tracer at all to have a fully capacity He (H.5) and Incendary (Zink) mix. (Weight calculated by Killakiwi 7g H.5 13g Zink)
Minengeschoss:
M-Gesch. X m.Zerl (He-I (m) Sd.) 0,104kg 950m/s 25g HA 41 (40g)
M-Gesch. X L'Spur m.Zerl (HeI-T (m) Sd.) 0,109kg 950m/s 24g HA 41 (38,4g)
Vehicles:
Flakpanzer I, Flakpanzer 38, Wibelwind, Möbelwagen
2,5 cm Flak Hotchkiss (f) L/60
Caliber: 25mm
Ammo: 25x163mm
Fire Rate: 130(180)-225 rpm (choosable by tuneing the pressure controle.
Magazin Fed: 15 Rounds
Muzzle velocity: 875-900 m/s
Weight: 700 kg in fire position, 850 kg in travel, 115kg the gun alone.
Mountings:
38, 39 and 40 see pictures
Triangular lafett -5° to 90°
3 Legged Spreading lfett -3° to +80°
Ammo Types: AP-T, HE-T
AP:
Pzgr. L'Spur (Ap-T) 300g solid shot 875m/s 55,67mm/10m
HE:
Sprgr. L'Spur (HE-T) 250g 8,5g Pent (14,45g TnTa) 900m/s
This picture is of the Japanese ammo, which is a copy, but they had slight changes.
A document (see pictures) writes that it is intended for fixed emplacements, per trailer, train or on Truck flatbets. 1 Picture is known where it is mounted on a Sd.Kfz.251.
30mm Flak 103/38
Caliber: 30mm
Ammo: 30x184mmB Rheinmetall
Fire Rate: 450 rpm (Syncronized)
Beltfed 50-60 rpg box
Muzzle velocity: (700) 800-960 m/s
Weight: 105kg
Mountings:
Baumaffe (Treemonkey) and Sockellafette
Ammo Types: Ap-I, Aphe-T, Apihecbc-T, HVAP-T, He-T, He
Similar principal to the Mg 151/20
AP:
Pzbrgr. (E.) o.Zerl. (Ap-I) 0,5kg 725m/s 50mm/10m
Note: Used against Trading ships and other light War Vehicles/Vessels. Contains a 9g Thermite filling.
After penetrating 6mm of Ship construction steel, over a path of 2m it ejects the Thermite (Elektron) filling, multiple penetrations create a permament fire source.
Pzsprgr. L`Spur. o.Zerl. (Aphe-T) 0,5kg 725m/s 14g Pent (23,8g) 50mm/10m
43mm/10m, by calculator with filler, however is the same shell as the AP-I with same penetration.
Note: Primary against Iron/Steel protected or armored Ground targets.
5mm Fuze Sensitivity and 0,75m (+/-0,25m) Fuze Delay.
2 Versions existed with different Bottum Fuzes (BdZ. 1583 and BdZ. 1584) with 500g or 530g weight (resulting also in a 25m/s velocity difference)
Was later replaced by the Pzbrsprgr. L’Spur as it was ligher (reducing wear), offered increased penetration and double effect of HE and Incendary instead of only He.)
(Like the ammo of the Mg 151/20 this is build like the Pzbrgr but with Pent filling and a Bottomfuze instead of Thermite filling.)
Pzbrsprgr. L`Spur. o.Zerl. (ApI-T / ApheIcbc-T) 0,455kg 800m/s 5,2g Pent (8,84g) 58mm/10m
Note: Against Iron/Steel protected and Armored ground targets. Against Locomotives and heavily armored Planes. Was to replace the Pzsprgr. L’Spur.
Apcbc round. 5mm Fuze sensitivity and 0,75m +/- 0,25m Fuze Delay.
H-Pzgr. L`Spur. o.Zerl. (HVAP-T) 0,356kg 960m/s 16,1x85mm 231g core 81mm/10m
Note: Only against Heavily armored Tanks. The Al-Mg-Cu Alloy Carrier has an incendary effect upon melting on impact.
He:
Sprgr. L`Spur. o.Zerl. (He-T) 0,44kg 800m/s 27g Pent (45,9g)
Note: Against Air and Ground Targets. Fully replaced by the M-Geschoss L’Spur o.Zerl.
(Later also with reduced charge of 750m/s to increase gun life.)
Minengeschoss:
M-Gesch. Ausf.C L`Spur. o.Zerl. (Hei-T (m)) 0,33kg 900m/s 70g HTA 5g Pent (92,5g)
Note: Against Air and Ground Targets. Fully replaced the Sprgr. L’Spur.
(Also with reduced wear charge of 860m/s.)
M-Gesch. Ausf.A o.Zerl. (Hei (m)) 0,33kg 900m/s 85g HTA (102g)
Note: Against Air and Ground Targets. Fully replaced the Sprgr. L’Spur.
(Also with reduced wear charge of 860m/s.)
Incendary:
Brgr. o.L'Spur o.Zerl (I) 0,33kg 900m/s 140g Incendary mix & 0,6g Pent (1,02g)
37mm Flak 18/36/37 L/57
The 3,7 cm Flak 18/36/37 are identical guns mounted on different platforms. Originally developed in 1930 by Rheinmetall, it was an upscaled version of the same action as was already used on the 2 cm guns. Originally early on Krupp developed a 40mm Automatic gun, which would be sold to Bofors (of wich Krupp had 1/3) and continued development to become the 40mm Bofors L/60. The Reichswehr however was not satisfied with the Krupp gun, while it offered great firepower, due to its relatively big shells, it was also heavy, required 2 gunners and big. Rheinmetalls new 3,7 cm Flak 18 was already lighter with 1750 kg compared to the 1981kg of the Bofors. The 3,7 cm Flak 18 wasnt long in service, production started in 1935 and already in 1936 after only 80-200 produced with 360 licensed copies by Romania. The new Flak 36 recived a longer loading tray, fitting 2 6 round frames as well as had a 3 point lafett instead of the crosslafett as well as a new 1 axle trailer, which further reduced the weight to 1550 kg. With a new simplefied sight being developed in 1937 for the otherwise identical Flak 37. While still reaching 4200m after which the round self detonates. The guns were intended for “short” range close defence, while the 5-5,7 cm class was for Medium range inbetween the 3,7 and 8,8 cm guns. While the 5 cm Flak 41 L/67 was quite powerfull, it was only produced in relatively low amount, until late war the project was started again, with mainly 5,5-6 cm guns for both AA and Aircraft mounting, it was however also considdered to use 5,7 cm as vast amounts of 6 pdr ammo was captured, to “just” design the gun around that ammo and take it also in own service as it was also already powerfull enough.
Caliber: 37mm
Ammo: 37x265mmB
Fire Rate: 180 rpm (160-200 rpm)
Loading Tray 6 round Rahmen (Frame)
Muzzle velocity: 770-1170m/s
Weight: 274 kg(Flak 18)
Ammo Types: Aphe, Hvap-T, He-T, HeI-T, He-I, HeI-T(m)
Ap:
Pzgr.18 L'Spur (Aphe) 0,685 kg 780/800m/s 13g Pent (22,1g) 50,65/52,52mm/10m
780m/s is for worn barrels.
Note: Against Ground and Air Targets.
Bottum Fuze after 7mm active.
Pzgr.18 / Psgr. L'Spur Lh 1 (Aphe) 0,700 kg 770/790m/s 13g Np.15 50,67/52,56mm/10m
770m/s is for worn barrels.
Identical to the normal Pzgr.18, mainly used by the Navy, however due to shared production this and the other tracer variant was used by the Army and Airforce.
M-Pzgr. L'Spur. o.Zerl. (Aphe) 0,710 kg 783m/s 90g HTA (108g) 42mm/10m
Note: Mainly against Air Targets, as well as ground targets and ships. (Propably didnt go into service.)
Bottum Fuze active after 5mm
H-Pzgr. L'Spur. o.Zerl. (Apcr) 0,405 kg 1150/1170m/s 16,1x85mm 231g core 110-113mm/10m
1150m/s is for worn barrels.
Note: Only against Tanks, where other Ap rounds cant penetrate. The Carrier has an Incendary effect when melting upon impact.
He:
Sprgr.18 L'Spur. (Hef-T) 0,612/0,623 kg 840/835m/s 26g Np.10 (44,2g) 7mm/10m
612g is the FE driving band with 840m/s, 623g is the Cu driving band with 835m/s.
Brsprgr. L'Spur (Hefi-T) 0,612/0,623kg 840/835m/s 26-30g H.5 and Aluminium
612g is the FE driving band with 840m/s, 623g is the Cu driving band with 835m/s.
Note: Against Air and Ground targets.
Brsprgr. vk L'Spur. (HefI-T) 0,644 kg 820m/s 48g H.5 and Aluminium
Note: Against Air and Ground targets, shortened Tracer for increased He and Incendary effect.
The luftwaffe drawing perhaps isnt the most accurate and the Navy drawing may be more closer to reality.
Brsprgr. o.L'Spur (HEFI) 0,620 kg 835m/s 90g H.5 und Zink
Note: Against Air and ground targets.
(Filler of 35,5g H.5 and 54,5g Zink, calculated by Killakiwi)
Minengeschoss:
M-Gr.18 L'Spur. o.Zerl. (HEFI-T (m)) 0,55kg 914m/s 90g HTA (108g) 7mm/10m
Mountings:
Flaklafette 36
Vehicles:
Sd.Kfz 6/2 (5t)
Sd.Kfz 7/2 (8t)
Pz I Ausf. B mit 3,7 cm Flak 37
37mm Flak 43 L/57
Pictures:(Click to show)
Caliber: 37mm
Ammo: 37x265mmB
Fire Rate: 250 rpm
Loading Tray 8 round Rahmen (Frame)
Muzzle velocity: 770-1170m/s
Weight: <274 kg(Flak 18), 2780kg in Fire position
Ammo Types: Aphe, Hvap-T, He-T, HeI-T, He-I, HeI-T(m)
Ap:
Pzgr.18 L'Spur (Aphe) 0,685 kg 780/800m/s 13g Pent (22,1g) 50,65/52,52mm/10m
780m/s is for worn barrels.
Note: Against Ground and Air Targets.
Bottum Fuze after 7mm active.
Pzgr.18 / Psgr. L'Spur Lh 1 (Aphe) 0,700 kg 770/790m/s 13g Np.15 50,67/52,56mm/10m
770m/s is for worn barrels.
Identical to the normal Pzgr.18, mainly used by the Navy, however due to shared production this and the other tracer variant was used by the Army and Airforce.
M-Pzgr. L'Spur. o.Zerl. (Aphe) 0,710 kg 783m/s 90g HTA (108g) 42mm/10m
Note: Mainly against Air Targets, as well as ground targets and ships. (Propably didnt go into service.)
Bottum Fuze active after 5mm
H-Pzgr. L'Spur. o.Zerl. (Apcr) 0,405 kg 1150/1170m/s 16,1x85mm 231g core 110/113mm/10m
1150m/s is for worn barrels.
Note: Only against Tanks, where other Ap rounds cant penetrate. The Carrier has an Incendary effect when melting upon impact.
He:
Sprgr.18 L'Spur. (Hef-T) 0,612/0,623 kg 840/835m/s 26g Np.10 (44,2g) 7mm/10m
612g is the FE driving band with 840m/s, 623g is the Cu driving band with 835m/s.
Brsprgr. L'Spur (Hefi-T) 0,612/0,623kg 840/835m/s 26-30g H.5 and Aluminium
612g is the FE driving band with 840m/s, 623g is the Cu driving band with 835m/s.
Note: Against Air and Ground targets.
Brsprgr. vk L'Spur. (HefI-T) 0,644 kg 820m/s 48g H.5 and Aluminium
Note: Against Air and Ground targets, shortened Tracer for increased He and Incendary effect.
The luftwaffe drawing perhaps isnt the most accurate and the Navy drawing may be more closer to reality.
Brsprgr. o.L'Spur (HEFI) 0,620 kg 835m/s 90g H.5 und Zink
Note: Against Air and ground targets.
(Filler of 35,5g H.5 and 54,5g Zink, calculated by Killakiwi)
Minengeschoss:
M-Gr.18 L'Spur. o.Zerl. (HEFI-T (m)) 0,55kg 914m/s 90g HTA (108g) 7mm/10m
Mountings:
Flaklafette 43
Flaklafette 44 (Zwilling, modified for side by side feeding.)
Vehicles:
Ostwind
Ostwind II (Flakzwilling)
3,7 cm Flak 43 auf s.W.S
37mm Flak 341 L/77
Intended as a improvement for the Flak 43, based mostly on it, it increased the firepower enormusly, with an new L/77 barrel and new 37x280mmB casings with 400g prpellant, intended for mounting on the Flakpanzer V (Flakpanzer 341) 4 were produced, 2 for tests and 2 for reference.
Caliber: 37mm
Ammo: 37x280mm
Fire Rate: 250 rpm
Loading Tray 10 round Rahmen (Frame)
Muzzle velocity: 1000-1040m/s
Weight: 470 kg
Ammo Types: Apcbc, HefI-T
For an increase in perfromance with this gun the main focus went away from the Heeres Geschoss of ~130mm length to the Marine Geschoss of 152mm (L/4,1) shared with the Heer and Marine and was already in service with the C/30 and russian captured 61-K guns.
Ap:
Pzgr. L'Spur (Apcbc) 0,82kg 1000m/s 22g Pent (37,4g TnTa) 87mm/10m
Unlike the uncapped Pzgr.18 L’Spur, this Panzersprenggranate (Psgr. L’Spur) is adapted to a velocity of 1000m/s in its original gun.
He:
Brsprgr. Vk.L'Spur L/4,1 (Hefi-T) 0,725kg 0,065kg 1040m/s Np.10 AlGrieß (104-110,5g TnTa)
While this round is 730g heavy and only has 30g Np.10 or H.5 AlGrieß (51g TnTa), an adapted variant with smaller tracer was most likely what is described on the datasheet.
Minengranate:
The Minengranate was most likely not used anymore, as the normal Sprgr. offered greater ballistics, while having about eaqual HE performance.
Mounting of Flakpanzer V
Also for Navy on ships and maybe on a ground lafett
50mm Flak 41 L/67
Caliber: 50mm
Ammo: 50x345mmB
Fire Rate: 130-140 rpm (or 180rpm by multiple sources)
Traverse:
Horizontal: 360°
Vertical: -10° +90°
Loading Tray 5 round Rahmen (Frame)
Muzzle velocity: 830-840-(>=)920m/s
Weight: 3100 kg (Combat Position)
Ammo Types: Apcbc, He-T, Hei-T, HeI-T (m)
AP:
Pzgr.42 L'Spur. (Apcbc) 2,23Kg 830m/s 17g Pent (28,9g) 113mm/10m
Bottom Fuze active after 7mm (Note all Ap rounds starting from 37mm use the Bd.Z. d. 3,7 cm Pzgr.)
He:
Sprgr.41 L'Spur. (He-T*) 2,195Kg 840m/s 90g Pent (153g)
Br.Sprgr.41 L'Spur (HeI-T*) 2,195Kg 840m/s 96g 80% Np.10 & 20% Al-Powder (153,6g)
Minengeschoss:
M-Gesch. L'Spur. m.Zerl. (He-T (m)*) 1,52Kg 950m/s 335g HTA (420g)
Vehicles:
Sources:
Handbuch der Flugzeugbordwaffenmunition 1936-1945
Captured ammunition Bulletin No. 5 and 6
German light anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns The War Office Dec 1942
German Antiaircraft Artillery, military intelligence service special series 10 Feb. 1943
4402/2 Mun. d. 2 cm Flak 30,38 und Flakvierling 38
Munition der 2 cm Waffen
4402/4 Mun. d. 5 cm Flak 41
RH 8/180
Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 39, December 2, 1943 (3,7 cm Pzgr.18 velocity of 800m/s)
Navy 3,7 cm Flak manual (3,7 cm Psgr./Pzgr.18 700g (different tracer) 790m/s.
