FLAK

Firing from German anti-aircraft guns were known to the American and British airmen known as FLAK, short for FLugzeugAbwehrKanone.

The German army used different caliber FLAK ranging from grenades of 20 mm (light) to 128 mm (heavy). Probably there were many 20mm Flakvieling 38 placed along the Dutch coast. This was light flak. Most aircraft guns were placed around IJmuiden (Fortress IJmuiden) and around Hoek van Holland (Festung Hoek van Holland). These defense bastions were part of the Atlantic Wall.e Atlantikwall.

If multiple spotlights were directed on a plane, it would shine brightly in the night sky and so became a clear target for anti-aircraft guns.

German flak: 20mm Flak Vierling 38
Source: German Federal Archive

German Luftwaffe soldiers load a 8.8cm FLAK cannon.
Source: German Federal Archive, Bild 101I-635-3999-24 / Walther

German 8.8cm FLAK in North Africa
Source: German Federal Archive, Bild 101I-787-0510-34A / Troschke

German soldier loads a projectile for a gun 8.8cm FLAK
Source: German Federal Archive, Bild 101I-496-3491-36 / Röder

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