How does flak detonate?

Flak as we know it ( the exploding ordinance variety ) works by using fuses. One may use a timed fuse in the shell. After so many seconds, the shell would detonate like a times bomb. Another, is a barometric fuse, a fuse that’s triggered when a certian altitude is reach by measuring air pressure.

How did WW2 flak work?

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. The rings around the barrel represent aircraft shot down by the gun crew. …

Why do anti-aircraft rounds explode?

Anti-aircraft and other artillery rounds typically consist of an outer shell packed with a large amount of high explosives. A split-second later, this sets off the main explosives in the shell and causes it to explode in a cloud of shrapnel.

Was WW2 flak effective?

How effective was it in WW2? “Flak in the Second World War was very effective. Most of the official Allied histories downplayed its role. Many postwar histories accepted the testimony of leading figures within the Luftwaffe that ground based AA defences achieved limited success in destroying Allied bombers.

How accurate was anti-aircraft fire in ww2?

Bottom line, anti-aircraft fire was effective, but not overwhelmingly so in most cases. Quite effective, considering they don’t shoot guided missiles. Towards the end,they were guided by radar,so extremely effective.

How did ww2 proximity fuses work?

The blast from the first bomb was used to trigger the fuze of the second bomb which would explode above ground and in this turn would detonate the third bomb with the process repeated all the way till the last bomb in the string.

How do proximity shells work?

With a proximity fuze, the shell or missile need only pass close by the target at some time during its flight. Proximity fuzes are also useful for producing air bursts against ground targets. A contact fuze would explode when it hit the ground; it would not be very effective at scattering shrapnel.

Did Germany have proximity fuses in WW2?

This is what was considered as “advanced electronics” in Germany during WWII: Good luck building proximity fuze with them, trying to squeeze it into the shell, and making them survive initial acceleration when shell is fired.

Who invented the proximity fuze?

W. A. S. Butement
Samuel Curran
Proximity fuze/Inventors

Why was flak so inaccurate?

Most flak guns were inaccurate for any of the users because they had to calculate the height and speed of the aircraft which was very hard to master one has to allow for how far the aircraft will be when the AA shells explode so it would require the user to actually fire in front of the aircraft to allow for the …

How far could artillery fire in ww2?

The largest artillery pieces employed by the Army against Axis forces was the M1 240mm howitzer, which could fire 360-pound shell out to a range of 23,000 meters (14.3 miles).