Description

The first self-propelled anti-aircraft guns in the German army appeared during World War I. These were armored vehicles such as the Ehrhardt and Krupp-Daimler, equipped with 77mm guns. As aviation developed, mobile anti-aircraft guns played an even greater role in the air defense systems of ground units. During World War II, the Wehrmacht had a significant number of various self-propelled anti-aircraft installations, equipped with both paired machine guns and automatic cannons.

The vehicles often featured installations with paired 7.92mm MG 34 machine guns, designed to protect infantry from enemy aircraft. These installations were mounted on vehicles such as the le.gl.Einheits-Pkw or Horch. Automatic cannons, on the other hand, were mounted on various trucks, both wheeled and semi-tracked. One such vehicle was the semi-tracked version of the widely used V3000S cargo truck in the Wehrmacht, designated as Sd.Kfz.3b. In its bed, an automatic 2cm Flak 38 anti-aircraft gun was installed, and to allow for firing, either the sides of the vehicle were folded down or completely removed.

Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns were actively used on both the Western and Eastern fronts.