View source for Engineering:Flakpanzer I

{{Short description|German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name=''Flakpanzer'' I
| image=[[File:Flakpanzer Is in the Russian winter.jpg|300px|]]
| caption=Flakpanzer Is on the Eastern Front
|origin=Nazi Germany
|type=[[Engineering:Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon|Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun]]
|is_vehicle=yes

<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1941–1943
| used_by            = Wehrmacht
| wars               = [[Social:World War II|World War II]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = Krupp
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = 
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 1941
| number             = approx. 24
| variants           =
| length=
| width=
| height=
| weight= 5.5 tons
| suspension=
| speed= 37 km/h
| vehicle_range= 145 km (road) or 100 km (off-road)
| primary_armament= 1 × 2 cm Flak 38
| secondary_armament=
| armour=
| engine= Krupp M 305 four-cylinder air-cooled gasoline engine
| engine_power= 60 [[Horsepower#Metric horsepower (PS, cv, hk, pk, ks, ch)|PS]] (59 [[Horsepower#Mechanical horsepower|hp]], 44 [[Watt#Kilowatt|kW]])
| pw_ratio=
| crew= 4
}}

The '''2&nbsp;cm ''Flak 38 auf Panzer'' I ''Ausführung'' A''', commonly known as the '''''Flakpanzer'' I''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.panther-panzer.de/PanzerI/FlakpanzerI.htm|title = FlakpanzerI}}</ref> was a rare [[Engineering:Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon|self-propelled anti-aircraft gun]] conversion of the [[Engineering:Panzer I|Panzer I]] in use by the military of [[Place:Nazi Germany|Nazi Germany]] during [[Social:World War II|World War II]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Flakpanzer I, self propelled AA gun|url=https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/germany/Flakpanzer-I.php|access-date=2022-01-12|website=www.tanks-encyclopedia.com}}</ref>

==Development==
The ''Flakpanzer'' I was developed during the Battle of France when it was recognized that the motorised Flak was insufficiently armoured.<ref name=":0" /> The German ''Heereswaffenamt'' decided to combine light anti-aircraft guns with tank chassis.<ref name=":0" /> The chassis of the [[Engineering:Panzer I|Panzer I]] was used for these conversions, simply because it was available. The conversions were done by Stoewer.<ref name=":0" />

In total, 24 of these vehicles were built.<ref name=":0" /> During the conversion, parts of the frontal superstructure and the complete cover of the engine compartment were removed to gain more flat space to stand on.<ref name=":0" /> To achieve a better centre of gravity the frontal armour of the superstructure was moved about 18mm forward.<ref name=":0" /> The flaps on the side were made from simple sheet metal and did not offer real protection.<ref name=":0" /> When in action they were folded down and used to stand on.<ref name=":0" /> To gain more space (the Panzer I was a very small armoured vehicle) the radio was dismounted; communication was done with hand signals.<ref name=":0" /> The vehicles were armed with the Flak 38; additionally, the crew was armed with small arms, like the [[Engineering:Karabiner 98k|Karabiner 98k]].<ref name=":0" /> To make it easier for the driver to enter the vehicle, the main gun was mounted not centrally, but slightly to the right.<ref name=":0" /> The ammunition was stored under the driver's seat and behind the loader.<ref name=":0" /> Due to insufficient space inside the vehicle, a coupling for the ''Sonderanhänger 51'' trailer was added, with additional ammunition and replacement barrels for the gun transported in the trailer.<ref name=":0" />

==Service==
Only one unit, the Fla.-Btl.(mot) 614 (Motorized Flak Battalion 614) was equipped with the Flakpanzer I.<ref name=":0" /> The unit was assembled in 1941 and in the same year was stationed in Romania.<ref name=":0" /> From there they moved into the southern part of the eastern front.<ref name=":0" /> In service the vehicles were of limited use against aircraft, but were mostly used against ground targets because the gun could only fire straight forward being in a relatively fixed mount. For proper anti-aircraft fire, a traversable gun mount was preferable, but space was far too limited on the Panzer I chassis for such mounts.<ref name=":0" /> Due to the insufficient protection of the crew in this sort of deployment, they suffered high losses.<ref name=":0" /> The companies of the battalion were assigned to other units for this.<ref name=":0" /> The whole battalion was wiped out in 1943 during the Battle of Stalingrad, even though most of the vehicles had probably been abandoned or destroyed already.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.achtungpanzer.com/panzerkampfwagen-i.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405012711/http://www.achtungpanzer.com/panzerkampfwagen-i.htm |date=2018-04-05 }} Information on the Panzer I and Flakpanzer I

{{Subject bar
| portal1=Military of Germany
| portal2=Tanks
| portal3=World War II
}}

[[Category:Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons]]

{{Sourceattribution|Flakpanzer I}}