History

The 2 cm Erdkampflafette 151/20 (ground combat mount) was a late-war tripod designed for the Machinengewehr 151/20 aircraft cannon, allowing it to be used against ground targets.

Using the tripod, the MG 151/20 could be fired at targes from zero to 1200 meters, in 100 meter intervals. A gun sight with three times magnification and an eight degree viewfield was installed. The height of the tripod could be adjusted, and it was equipped with a small, rudimentary gun shield.

In a letter dated 30 January 1945, the 2 cm Erdkampflafette 151/20 was referred to as Erdkampflafette 44, while also referring to an Erdkampflafette 43, indicating that more than one design existed.

Two battalions, Versuchs-Erdkampflafette-Bataillone (trial ground combat battalions), were equipped with the weapon, but had not submitted any reports as of 30 January 1945. Little is known about its performance in combat, but there are several photographs of it with German units, as well as weapons captured by Allied forces.

Technical Information

2 cm Erdkampflafette 151/20
Gun
Caliber 20 mm
Weight
  • 74 kg (gun and carriage)
  • 37 kg (gun)
  • 15 kg (full ammunition box)
Length
  • 1925 mm (full length)
  • 1766 mm (length of gun)
  • 1104 mm (barrel length)
  • 570 (length of rifling)
Range 1200 m
Rate of fire 700 rounds per minute
Mount
Maximum elevation 20°
Minimum depression 6°
Traverse 40°

Ammunition

Round Muzzle velocity
2-cm-Brandsprenggranatpatrone L'spur 151 705 m/s
2-cm-Brandsprenggranatpatrone L'spur 151, el 705 m/s
2-cm-Panzergranatpatrone L'spur 151 705 m/s
2-cm-Panzergranatpatrone L'spur 151, el 705 m/s
2-cm-Panzersprenggranatpatrone L'spur 151 705 m/s
2-cm-Panzersprenggranatpatrone L'spur 151, el 705 m/s
2-cm-M-Geschoßpatrone 151 805 m/s
2-cm-Panzergeschoßpatrone 151, el 805 m/s
2 cm Brandsprenggranatpatrone 151 mit L- oder Glimmspur mit Zerleger - m/s
2 cm Panzergranatpatrone 151 mit L-spuhr ohne Zerleger - m/s
2 cm Panzersprenggranatpatrone 151 mit und ohne Zerleger - m/s
2 cm Brandgranatpatrone 151 mit L- oder Glimmspur mit Zerleger - m/s
2 cm Panzergranatpatrone 151 (Ph) ohne Zerleger - m/s

Sources

  1. MG 151 und MG 151/20 - 15 mm-Flugzeugmaschinengewehr 151 und 20 mm-Flugzeugmaschinengewehr 151/20 - Waffen-Handbuch - Teil 1: MG 151 und MG 151/20 mit ED 151B und EA 151/1 - Heft 1. Berlin, 1942. 94 p. D (Luft) T 6151.
  2. Maschinengewehr 151/20 und Erdkampflafette - Gebrauchanleitung. Berlin, 1944. 11 p. D 1888/2.
  3. Oberst i.G. 2 cm Erdkampflafette 44. Berlin, 1945. 1 p.