Flak 36

[Wilkins]

I read on Wikipedia that in 1944 the US 7th Army was briefly issued with Flak 36's. Particularly the 79th Field Artillery Battalion (Provisional) and the 244th Field Artillery Battalion were given captured German artillery pieces. The only problem with this is that the Wikipedia entry is not referenced and after spending some time on Google, I have failed to find any other articles that confirm this.

I am currently working on an Operation Dragoon project and would like to be able to field a unit of American 88s so I' hoping someone out there can help me out! Thanks

[V]

Well I know they used various guns when supply issues arose in late 1944 as stand-in artillery;



Got pics of a variety of stuff being used ad-hoc... Not sure if I have any of Flak 36 but it wouldnt surprise me. Wouldnt have been during Dragoon though and a whole unit of them would be pushing it. Plus as soon as the supply issues were over they scrapped them.

[Gothic Line]

 In Italy a lot of Axis material was re-used, I have a picture of a German Marder III "under new manegement"!!!

[Wilkins]

I think "unit" was perhaps the wrong word, I meant one artillery piece and appropriate crew. Why wouldn't it have been during Dragoon? (Not questioning you, just wondering as the 7th Army was involved in Dragoon in 1944, which seems to match what the wikipedia piece said)

[V]

Well the use of them arose with lack of supply at the end of '44. They couldnt get enough shells up so used German guns and local stocks. The use was organised and directed, rather than a once-off use by an individual unit.

Supply wouldnt have been an issue during Dragoon.

Of course that doesnt mean some enterprising chap during Dragoon decided to make use of an 88 though.

[Wilkins]

Thanks for your help V, will probably do one anyone! Just with removable crew so I can swap out the Americans for Germans when necessary. The photos are excellent!