What is a flak ww2?

Flak typically refers to the anti-aircraft fire coming at one from anti-aircraft guns, derived during World War II from the German Flugabwehrkanone, for “aircraft defence cannon” in turn derived from Flugabwehrgeschütz (flag).

What is flak military?

Flak is defined as the bursting shells shot at aircraft from enemy guns on the ground, or criticism or opposition. An example of flak is the exploding ammunition that can damage a military plane when flying over enemy territory.

What does it mean to catch flack?

“Flak” is WW II airman’s slang for shells being fired at you in the air, so to catch a lot of flak is to feel in danger of being shot down.

What do flak cannons do?

Flak basically worked as a giant explosive that was fired up into the air, where the detonating and shrapnel would damage/take out the aircraft. There were multiple different kinds of flak rounds used during the war, all having varying degrees of effectiveness.

How did the German flak gun work in WW2?

The versatile 88mm cannon was Germany’s main heavy antiaircraft—or “flak”—gun during World War II. When an 88mm projectile exploded at altitude, it sent out jagged metal fragments that tore through nearby aircraft. It also left a characteristic black cloud hanging in the sky.

What is flak and how does it work?

Flak basically worked as a giant explosive that was fired up into the air, where the detonating and shrapnel would damage/take out the aircraft. There were multiple different kinds of flak rounds used during the war, all having varying degrees of effectiveness. FLAK is the acronym of (German) Flieger-Abwehr-Kanone = Aviation Defence Gun.

What does “flak so thick you could get out and walk on” mean?

“Flak so thick you could get out and walk on it” was a common phrase to describe heavy antiaircraft fire. Each black cloud was caused by an exploding flak projectile. Click here to return to the World War II Gallery.