2 cm Flak 38 with Crew
At the beginning of World War II, the German Army’s anti-aircraft defense relied on specialized motorized companies, each equipped with 12 automatic anti-aircraft guns. However, as the Luftwaffe lost air superiority, the need to protect units from enemy attack aircraft and fighter-bombers intensified. Many Wehrmacht combat formations began incorporating anti-aircraft units armed with heavy 88-mm guns, complemented by 20-mm automatic cannons—the 2 cm Flak 38. The 2 cm Flak 38 anti-aircraft gun entered service in the second half of 1940, deployed to both Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe ground units. Over time, these small-caliber anti-aircraft guns grew in number, becoming the primary means of close-range air defense. By May 1944, the Wehrmacht’s ground forces boasted 6,355 single-barreled and 925 quadruple-barreled 20-mm guns. While the full combat crew for the 2 cm Flak 38 consisted of five personnel, combat conditions often saw four or even three soldiers effectively operating the gun and fulfilling various tasks.