Role of this Flak gunner

[jmark]

Does anybody know the role of this Flak gunner? Is he just a radioman in contact with a forward observer or do the headphones and throat mike have something to do with the operation of the gun?

Also, does someone have any information about the roles of all members of an 88mm Flak in the field? It would be very helpful for some captions I'm working on.

All the best,
Jason

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[byterock]

Not one of the standard (by the book positions) he is most likely relaying information from a Kommandogerat

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Im...helsinki_2.jpg

From the US wartime translation of the WM pam on this gun the crew where

(a) For action against aircraft. The gun detachment consists of a detachment commander and nine men, with duties for antiaircraft action as follows: Detachment Commander, No.1 Elevation setter, No.2 Azimuth-setter, No. 3 Loading and firing number, No.4, & 5 Ammunition numbers, No. 6 Fuse-setter, No. 7, 8 & 9 Ammunition numbers

(b) For action against ground targets. For the engagement of ground targets, the duties of this gun detachment are as follows: Detachment Commander, No.1 Elevation setter, No.2 Azimuth-setter, No. 3 Loading and firing number, No.4, 5, 6 & 7 Ammunition numbers, No. 8 Range setter, No. 9 Lateral deflection setter


From what I read about the Kommandogerat was it was a rather long process to set it up correctly with all the lines etc so in quick situations the data from box could be relayed manually to the guns.

Have a look at this preiod piece gives a nice overview of how it worked

http://www.airdefenseartillery.com/o...Dec%201939.pdf