FlaK Blitz?

[Timo]

Can somebody ID this FlaK vehicle for me? Is it an Opel Blitz 3t or something else? Is the mounted gun a 3.7cm FlaK? Any info on the unit (the photo is taken in the mediteranean)...

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

It's a 3.7cm Fla.K. 43 auf s.gl. LKW 4.5t (Mercedes Benz L 4500A)

Christian

[Timo]

Thanks Chris. Do you have additional info or more pics?

Cheers,
Timo

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

No, sorry. This is everything it said in 'the encyclopedia'.

Apparently, there's not much info anywhere about it, and all the vehicles seems to be from the medeteranian.
This could mean it's a field conversion...

Christian

[Andy H]

Hi Timo & Christian

The vehicle's were first appeared in 1943 and consisted of the 2cm quad AA guns mounted on 4x4 or 4x2 3ton medium trucks. The drivers compartment and the engine were armoured and the vehicles sides could be dropped to aloow full movement of the AA gun & crew. A two wheeled trailer was towed carrying extra ammunition.

The picture I have shows a unit somewhere near Paris.

Andy from the Shire

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

Thanks for the info - only this is the 3.7cm version, and I haven't seen any other pictures tyhan this an dthe one in the encyclopedia...

Christian

[Andy H]

Size does matter

Andy from the Shire

[Timo]

Page 147 of "Battle of the Bulge: Then and Now" (Pallud) shows a destroyed one belonging to LSSAH.

But isn't the Mercedes a 4,5t truck? I doubt the chassis of a 3t Blitz can carry the weight of the 3.7cm FlaK.

[Christian Ankerstjerne]

3.7cm Fla.K. 43 auf s.gl. LKW 4.5t (Mercedes Benz L 4500A)

Yes it was

Christian

[Robert Hurst]

Hi Timo

The pic was taken from 'Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two', by Peter Chamberlain and Hilary L. Doyle.

Regards

Bob

[Timo]

Very interesting photo Robert. Thankyou for posting it here!

[sdkfz182]

Hi Timo,

Just found this one in "Kraftfahrzeugen und Panzer der Wehrmacht - Werner Oswald" but is armed with Flak 41 5cm.

Regards, Benno

[Timo]

Very nice Benno! Gives a good idea of the size of the 5cm FlaK.

p.s.: did you receive the pm I've send you last week regarding Antoine?

Cheers,
Timo

[sdkfz182]

Hi timo,

In the book Deutsche Flak-Panzer from Walter J. Spiellberger there is a small picture showing a Opel 3 t-Lkw Typ 6700A armed with 3,7cm Flak.
Picture doesn't show that much of details.

I received your PM but unfortunately i still have no news about M. Antoine.

With kind regards, Benno

[Timo]

Thats a very nice pic Benno. I have some doubts about this being a normal Blitz and not a Maultier. By the way, on the 3t chassis it could only be used against ground targets firing to the rear because the kick of the gun would be to much for the chassis of the truck.