Produktbeschreibung
with one 8.8cm FlaK36 gun, Gun and Loading crew & one scenic resin nest.
After the Germans had recaptured Halfaya Pass on 27 May 1941 following British Operation Brevity, they set about reorganising and constructing defensive positions. In the forefront of their minds was the concept of the Stützpunkt or strongpoint. A Stützpunkt defensive position is prepared for all-round defence intended to hold even if outflanked.
The objective of a Stützpunkt defence was to provide effective fire to wear down the enemy before launching a counterattack, usually with supporting armoured troops.
A Stützpunkt position was organised in depth which meant the positions were able to hold and provide fire even when the enemy had pushed into it. The depth also allowed the fire to be poured on to the enemy’s flank if they broke through the position.
When the British attacked the Libya frontier during Operation Battleaxe they faced four Stützpunkt positions. The Stützpunkt positions did their job and blunted the British assaults around Halfaya Pass and the German panzers counterattacked.
German Stützpunkt defensive positions were reinforced by 8.8cm FlaK 36 guns placed in well-constructed nests cut into the hard bedrock.
"In constructing our positions at Halfaya and on Hill 208 great skill was shown in building in batteries of 88mm guns for anti-tank work, so that with the barrels horizontal there was practically nothing to be seen above ground. I had great hopes of the effectiveness of this arrangement." - Rommel, 26 May 1941.
A Stützpunkt 8.8cm Nest is either placed as a Fortified Platoon or may be attached to a Stützpunkt Platoon and placed with it, counting as part of the Stützpunkt Platoon for the purposes of the Hellfire and Back Fortification Placement rules on page 170 of Hellfire and Back.
A Stützpunkt 8.8cm Nest is a FlaK Nest and has an all-round field of fire (see the Hellfire and Back Fortification section on pages 169 to 173).
The Stützpunkt 8.8cm in Flames of War
Mobility: Immobile
Stützpunkt 8.8cm Nest
Range: 40”/100cm
Rate of Fire: 3
Anti-tank: 13
Firepower: 3+
Flak Nest
It was on the battlefields of North Africa that the 8.8cm FlaK36 fully established its legendary status as the dreaded ‘88’, although not in its designed role as a heavy anti-aircraft gun, but as an anti-armour weapon.
The penetrating power of the 8.8cm FlaK36 (Anti-tank 13) meant that no Allied tank was safe on the battlefield.
Dominating the wide open terrain with its high rate of fire, flat trajectory, impressive muzzle velocity and range, its power was evident.
The range (40"/100cm) and rate of fire (ROF 3) of the Stützpunkt 8.8cm Nest means that it can engage targets at ranges far beyond those where the enemy can fight back. |
