Actual Name: Panzerkampfwagen 38 für 2 cm Flak 38 (Sd.Kfz.140) Ausf.L ‘Flakpanzer 38(t)’ "Gepard"

During the latter stages of the Second World War, the Luftwaffe (German Air Force), struggled to maintain air superiority, leaving German ground forces increasingly vulnerable to relentless Allied ground attack aircraft. Among the hardest hit were the Panzer divisions, whose large vehicles stood out conspicuously, despite efforts to camouflage them with foliage. Due to the lack of fighter cover, the only thing often standing between a Panzer and a bomb was an anti-aircraft half-track. While useful, these half-tracks had a notable flaw: they were vulnerable to the very aircraft they were supposed to protect against. To address this issue, the concept of a tank-based anti-aircraft vehicle, known as a Flakpanzer (anti-aircraft tank), emerged as a solution. These vehicles offered the necessary survivability against aircraft machine gun and cannon armaments while retaining the mobility and parts commonality with tanks. By 1943, the 3.7 cm (1.45 in) Flakpanzer IV was in development, albeit at a relatively slow pace. In response to this delay, the Germans opted for a temporary solution, resulting in the creation of the Flakpanzer 38(t) in November 1943.

Join this channel to get access to exclusive perks:
   / @tanksencyclopediayt  

If you liked this video, please consider donating on Patreon or Paypal!
Patreon:   / tankartfund  
Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tanke...

Article: https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/flakpa...

Sources:
T. Anderson (2020) The History of the Panzerwaffe, Osprey Publishing
P. Chamberlain and H. Doyle (1978) Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two – Revised Edition, Arms and Armor press.
Walter J. Spielberger (1982). Gepard The History of German Anti-Aircraft tanks, Bernard & Graefe
D. Terlisten (2009) Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind and Ostwind, Nuts and Bolts
Y. Buffetaut (2018) German Armor in Normandy, Casemate
H. Walther (1989) The 12th SS Panzer Division HJ, Schlifer Publisher
H. Meyer (2005) The 12th SS The History of the Hitler Youth Panzer Division: Volume One, Stockpile Book
H. Meyer (2005) The 12th SS The History of the Hitler Youth Panzer Division: Volume Two, Stockpile Book
Ian V. Hogg (1975) German Artillery of World War Two, Purnell Book Services Ltd.
T. L.Jentz and H. L. Doyle (1998) Panzer Tracts No.12 Flak selbstfahrlafetten and Flakpanzer
T. L.Jentz and H. L. Doyle Panzer Tracts (2010) No. 12-1 – Flakpanzerkampfwagen IV and other Flakpanzer projects
Flakpanzer 38(t) auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) Ausf.M (Sd.Kfz.140), AFV Interiors Web Magazine.
H. Doyle (2005). German Military Vehicles, Krause Publications
S. J. Zaloga (2010) Operation Nordwind 1945, Osprey publishing
P. Chamberlain and H. Doyle (1978) Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two – Revised Edition, Arms and Armor press.
W. Oswald (2004) Kraftfahrzeuge und Panzer, Motor Buch Verlag
H. C. Doyle and C. K. Kliment (1979) Czechoslovak Armoured Fighting vehicles 1918-1945, Bellona
V. Francev and C. K. Kliment (2004) Československá obrněná vozidla 1918-1948, Nase Vojsko
P. C. Adams (2010) Snow and Steel The Battle of the Bulge 1944-45, Oxford University Press

Tank Encyclopedia Magazines and Books: https://payhip.com/TankEncyclopedia
Reddit:   / tankencyclopedia  
TE Shop: http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/Goo...
Our website: http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com
Gaming News Website: http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/games/
Facebook:   / tanksencyclopedia  
Twitter:   / tanksenc  
Discord:   / discord  
Email: [email protected]

An article by Marko P
Narrated by Sosoniaru
Edited by Daniele Notaro
Sound edited by Sosoniaru