Flakpanzer IV

Kugelblitz

Background

The last, and most advanced, Flakpanzer based on the Pz Kpfw IV chassis to be build was the Kugelblitz (ball lightning). The idea first appeared in late 1943, when it was suggested to mount a dual 30 mm anti-aircraft gun on a Pz Kpfw IV chassis. The gun was to be manufactured by either Brünn or Rheinmetall-Borsig.

The turret was taken from a submarine design, in which fully-enclosed spherical turrets had been designed to replace the unprotected deck guns, but because of the inherent differences between tanks and submarines, the idea was dropped.

Development

In early 1944, Daimler-Benz presented a new design, still based on the Pz Kpfw IV, mounting a dual 3 cm MK 103, originally designed by Rheinmetall-Borsig as an aircraft gun. The guns were mounted in a semi-spherical, fully-enclosed turret.

The theoretical rate of fire of the MK 103 was 900 rounds per minute, with a practical rate of fire of 480 rounds per minute. This was significantly higher than the practical rate of fire of 150 rounds per minute of the 3,7 cm Flak 43 of the Ostwind. Being belt-fed, rather than magazine-fed, loaders became superfluous during combat, allowing for a smaller turret.

To fit the 3 cm MK 103, it was necessary to use the wider Tiger turret ring. Traverse and elevation of the turret was hydraulic, allowing a full elevation in just over four seconds, and a 360° traverse in 15.5 seconds. The Pz Kpfw IV chassis was retained, as it was the only one readily available.

Production

Kugelblitz production was to begin in September 1944, at a rate of five per month, reaching 30 per month by December 1944. In September 1944, this plan was changed to two being manufactured by Daimler-Benz in October, and three being manufactured by Stahlindustrie in November. Further delayed meant that only three Kugelblitz had been produced when Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, an important subcontractor, was captured by the Allies.

Operational History

Little is known of the combat history of the Kugelblitz. Two of the turrets were allegedly transported to Berlin to be used as static anti-aircraft guns, but it is not know whether they saw any action. The remaining turret survived the war, and is currently located in the Lehrsammlung der Heeresflugabwehrschule in Rendsburg.

Technical Information

Additional Reading

Pz Kpfw IV

Information about the Panzerkampfwagen IV.

Sources

1. JENTZ, Thomas L. & DOYLE, Hilary Louis. Panzer Tracts No. 12 - Flak Selbstfahrlafetten and Flakpanzer : Sd.Kfz.10/4 to 8.8 cm Flak auf VFW. Darlington, MD : Darlington Productions, 1998. 56 p.