8.8cm PaK 43/41 Gun (x2) (GE530) Panzerabwehrkanone 43/41 Krupp’s Gerät 42 (designed as a replacement for the 8.8cm FlaK36) was developed into a dedicated anti-tank gun in 1943. Initially the design was to be on a low sitting cruciform mounting, this model simply known as the PaK 43, but due to manufacturing constraints a simplified version mounted on the trail of a field gun was put into production as the PaK 43/41.

It weighed 4.9 tonnes. Both guns were able to penetrate about 200mm of armour at 1000m, letting it defeat any tank   currently in service with the Allies. The barrel was 71 calibres long and the cartridge case was 822mm long.

The PaK 43 was an improved 8.8cm gun with a very high muzzle velocity. It allowed gunners to target distant moving targets with considerable ease. The trajectory of the projectile was very flat so that with good sights the gunner could make elevation calculations for long ranges without ranging shots.

The armour-penetration capabilities of the PaK 43 were remarkable. With the PzGr.39/43 (APCBC-HE) 10.2kg capped armour-piercing shell (with ballistic cap to provide streamlining), the following could be achieved (Penetration figures given for an armoured plate 30 degrees from the horizontal):

Range Penetration  100m 202mm 500m 185mm 1000m 165mm 1500m 148mm 2000m 132mm

With the newer, but usually unavailable, 7.3kg PzGr.40/43 round it was even more effective.

Range Penetration  100m 238mm 500m 217mm 1000m 193mm 1500m 171mm 2000m 153mm

It also had available the Gr.39/3 HEAT Round. In Flames Of War The 8.8cm PaK43/41 is a powerful anti-tank weapon, however it is rather heavy so can only be moved with the aid of its tractor (Mobility: Immobile).

But once it’s action the Allied tanks better keep out of its way! It has Range 40”/100cm, ROF 2, Anti-tank 16, Firepower 3+ and the crew are protected by a gun shield. It can be included in your Late War German force as an option in the Divisional Support Anti-tank Gun Platoon. Designed by Evan Allen Painted by Jeremy Painter