![]() ![]() The Pak 44 had short to medium-range performance similar to the 8.8 cm Pak 43, but the 12.8 cm Pak 44 better maintained its anti-tank performance over long to extreme-long ranges – 1,800–2,700 m (2,000–3,000 yd) and beyond - while also doubling as an effective field gun when firing high-explosive shells. However, once heavier Soviet tanks such as the IS-2 started to appear, the design requirements were altered to include an anti-armour role. Development initially concentrated on a field gun known as the Kanone K 44. The German Army came upon the Soviet 122 mm field guns and issued a requirement for a similar weapon. It was designed as a result of experiences on the Eastern front in 1943. ![]() No matter how thick the armor is, a larger bomb will always rip right through.The 12.8 cm Pak 44 (Pak from German Panzerabwehrkanone "anti-tank gun") was a German anti-tank gun used during World War II. Slow-moving large targets were sitting ducks for dive bombers. Still, they had to be protected from the air. Heavy tanks were effective in plowing through enemy defenses. This looks menacing on paper, but issues with overweight tanks were beginning to surface, starting from the Tiger I. The new 33 feet long Panzer VIII project was named “Maus”. The newly demanded upgrades increased the tank’s weight from 100 tons to 188 tons. Porsche received a contract for the Panzer VIII in 1942, based on the 100-ton VK 100.01 design from a year earlier. This was a breakthrough in tank history – the vehicle was a pure terror to most British and French tanks with its excellent armor and powerful 8.8 cm KwK 36 gun. A few years later, Henschel constructed the first Tiger I tank. This produced the Panzer tank and all its successors. Hitler’s love for big guns dates all the way back to his days on the battlefield as a WWI corporal. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |