Flakpanzer IV "Möbelwagen" - a Wehrmacht self-propelled anti-aircraft gun for protecting tank columns

In World War II aviation played one of the decisive roles on the battlefields. If at the initial stages of the conflict the German Luftwaffe dominated the air, then after 1943 the Germans began to feel a shortage of aircraft and experienced pilots. The Red Army began to press from the east; in the west, despite the fact that the Wehrmacht managed to stop the landing in Italy, the threat of a similar landing in France remained.

Despite the saturation of the front with fairly effective air defense, already in May 1943 the question was raised about the need to create an anti-aircraft self-propelled gun (ZSU) based on tank Panzer IV, which at that time was the most popular tank in the German army and had a chassis suitable for these purposes. The ZSU was supposed to be part of the tank divisions. Anti-aircraft self-propelled guns had to have good protection and be tracked for increased maneuverability. They decided to arm the new ZSU with a quadruple Flakvierling 38 anti-aircraft gun.

In August 1943, the Krupp company received a contract for the development of a new ZSU. Already in October the project was demonstrated to the customer and did not receive any complaints. During the six-hour run, no technical problems were identified. Also, no problems arose during test firing at the test site, but the commission recommended replacing the quad anti-aircraft gun with a more powerful 37-mm Flak 43.

New ZSUs began to arrive in Wehrmacht tank brigades in 1944, but there is no documented evidence of successful use of the installation. Moreover, there is evidence according to which there were cases of the destruction of these anti-aircraft installations by Soviet aviation.

Comments

[Smoked]

For those who are far from the topic of air defense. When you read something like this, look for the main thing in the text that it says “for all the sheer luxury of this thing, everything was nullified by the lack of a unified control of anti-aircraft fire.” If this is not the case, the article will be completely lost on the performance characteristics.

[lukash66]

The author can be seen from the modern ones. Nemchura had tank regiments/divisions, heavy tank battalions, and battle groups, after all. There were no brigades. Especially in 44. The Panther Brigade on the Kursk Bulge is pure ersatz.

[lukash66]

By the way, in terms of the number of tanks, this so-called. the brigade was at the TD level. And when they also put it in Grossdeutschland, it turned out to be an entire Corps in numbers.

[svp67]

Quote from: lukash66

Nemchura had tank regiments/divisions, heavy tank battalions, and battle groups, after all. There were no brigades.

In 1936, a decision was made to form 4 tank brigades (7 and 8 tank regiments), and later 6 tank brigades (11 and 25 tank regiments) as part of the Wehrmacht, disbanded in 1939.
In 1943, the 10th, as part of the "South" group, and the 21st tank brigade, as part of the "Center" group, were formed
At the end of July 1944, an order was given for the deployment of a number of tank brigades, which in fact represented reinforced tank battalions.
Tank brigades formed in the summer of 1944 were staffed in two states. 101 and 102 included a three-company tank battalion (33 Panther tanks), a motorized battalion and an engineer company. The artillery was represented by ten 75-mm infantry guns on armored personnel carriers, and there were 21 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns for air cover.
Tank brigades with numbers 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110 were organized in almost the same way, but with a reinforced motorized battalion and already had 55 anti-aircraft self-propelled guns. In September 1944, 111, 112 and 113 tank brigades appeared. Each consisted of three companies of 14 Pz Kpfw IV tanks, a two-battalion motorized regiment and a company of 10 assault guns. They were always reinforced by a battalion of Panther tanks.
However, very quickly it became clear that, given the growing shortage of resources, it was no longer possible to have formations with different functions in the armored forces. The brigades existed for several months, after which their personnel and equipment were used to replenish tank divisions.

[lukash66]

Well, so what am I talking about? Due to a shortage of equipment, they were temporarily formed and almost immediately integrated into the TD. The main units/formations of the Panzerwaffe were regiments, divisions, corps, and armies. And the brigades are all for the benefit of the poor, temporarily.

[svp67]

Quote from: lukash66

Due to a shortage of equipment, they were temporarily formed

You did not understand. The brigades were formed as part of the reinforcement of the army group... And yes, they were disbanded not because of their uselessness, but because of a lack of forces and means
How we formed separate guards regiments (as part of armies) and brigades (as part of fronts) for breakthrough

[lukash66]

Quote: svp67

Quote from: lukash66

Due to a shortage of equipment, they were temporarily formed

You did not understand. The brigades were formed as part of the reinforcement of the army group... And yes, they were disbanded not because of their uselessness, but because of a lack of forces and means

Okay, we convinced you. But again, a temporary measure.))

[svp67]

During the six-hour run, no technical problems were identified.

I wonder what problems they expected to appear in the long-tested Panzer 4 base chassis?

[ln_ln]

Neither the article nor the video says a word about the sight or guidance drives...