#germany
Germany had already toyed with the idea of possessing its own aircraft carrier during the First World War; this was to be called Ausonia, but it was never seriously pursued. However, shortly after the termination of the Treaty of Versailles, a new carrier project was initiated, based on the experience of other major powers such as Japan, the USA, and Great Britain, acquired through exchanges or espionage. Ultimately, not a single aircraft carrier was fully commissioned or built. The Graf Zeppelin was largely completed, but its construction was halted, while its sister ship, Aircraft Carrier B, was abandoned during construction. During the design of the accompanying aircraft, some were built specifically for the project, such as the Arado 197. However, this met with little approval from the Luftwaffe, which is why modifications of existing aircraft like the Bf 109 T, the Ju 87 C or T, or the Fi 167 found more favor.
The Wiesel is a small armored weapons carrier (AWC) that can boast a wide variety of armaments capable of accomplishing many tasks. Since its development in 1969, the Wiesel still serves the German Bundeswehr to this day. With its small size and quick agility, the name “Wiesel” was very fitting.
This article is about the history of the German 3.7 cm L/45 guns — mainly the PaK 36* and KwK 36 — as well as the tangentially related Navy 3.7 cm FlaK M42 L/69. The PaK 36 was the mainstay of towed anti-tank guns for Germany during World War II, being used from the war’s onset until the last days of the war, and were used in all sorts of roles, ranging from anti-tank operations in the late 1930s to infantry support using HE and fin-stabilized HEAT grenades during the closing days of the war. While the PaK 36 and its derivatives were largely obsolete by the end of World War II, their large production volume (20,000 units) meant that it wasn’t too hard to find them across various frontlines, still putting in work.
The Sd.Kfz.222 was a German armoured car used during the Second World War. This vehicle had a great deal of history and was deemed very useful during the early years of World War II. With its very high speeds and effective 20 mm cannon, this vehicle was very useful for quick close-combat situations. This article will explain this armoured vehicle’s history, armaments, mobility, and gameplay.
Despite how common this element is, its purpose remains little known. This component is called the Leitkreuz, which translates from German as guide cross. It carries no symbolic weight and is purely a technical device, despite its resemblance to the Balkenkreuz. So, what does it actually do? Read on in the article.
From the first operational jet fighter, to bombers intended to be able to fly to America in one trip, Germany’s Luftwaffe pushed the boundaries of military aviation to its fullest extent during the Second World War. However, from the war’s beginning, the Luftwaffe's leader, Hermann Göring, had avidly believed in the power of a certain aircraft type for ridding the skies of enemy fighter opposition: the 'Zerstörer' ('Destroyer'). But what actually was this design, and how successful was it in combat?
The Soviet KV series, most notably the KV‑1 and KV‑2, were among the heaviest tanks of the early war. When they were put to operational use during the midst of Operation Barbarossa, German forces found most of their anti‑tank weapons far too weak against the thick armor; even a single KV could stall an advance and demonstrate capabilities the Germans themselves lacked. That display of strength made captured examples highly prized. Yet the tanks were far from perfect. They consumed fuel at alarming rates, broke down often, and were difficult to supply, and as such many were left behind in retreat or captured intact. The Wehrmacht quickly put these tanks to use, repainting their insignia and assigning them new designations as Beutepanzer (lit. loot tank).
During Operation Barbarossa, Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union, the Third Reich ran into Russia’s secret weapons: the T-34 and KV-1. While German engineers came up with move advanced tanks to combat Soviet armor, a quick solution was put together to face the Russians on somewhat equal terms. This stopgap would be known as the Marder.
