8.8 cm Flak 18 and Ordnance QF 25-pounder - Ouistreham, France - Static Artillery Displays on Waymarking.com

About 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41
The 88 mm gun (commonly called the eighty-eight) was a German anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun from World War II. It was widely used by Germany throughout the war, and was one of the most recognized German weapons of that conflict. Development of the original model led to a wide variety of guns.

The name applies to a series of related guns, the first one officially called the 8.8 cm Flak 18, the improved 8.8 cm Flak 36, and later the 8.8 cm Flak 37. Flak is a contraction of German Flugzeugabwehrkanone meaning "aircraft-defense cannon", the original purpose of the eighty-eight. In English, "flak" became a generic term for ground anti-aircraft fire. In informal German use, the guns were universally known as the Acht-acht ("eight-eight").

The versatile carriage allowed the eighty-eight to be fired in a limited anti-tank mode when still on its wheels; it could be completely emplaced in only two-and-a-half minutes. Its successful use as an improvised anti-tank gun led to the development of a tank gun based upon it: the 8.8 cm KwK 36, with the "KwK" abbreviation standing for KampfwagenKanone (literally "battle vehicle cannon", or "tank cannon"). This gun served as the main armament of the Tiger I heavy tank.

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About Ordnance QF 25-pounder
The Ordnance QF 25-pounder, or more simply 25-pounder or 25-pdr, was the major British field gun and howitzer during World War II. It was introduced into service just before the war started, combining high-angle and direct-fire, relatively high rates of fire, and a reasonably lethal shell in a highly mobile piece. It remained the British Army's primary artillery field piece well into the 1960s, with smaller numbers serving in training units until the 1980s. Many Commonwealth of Nations countries used theirs in active or reserve service until about the 1970s and ammunition for the weapon is currently being produced by Pakistan Ordnance Factories.

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Both the guns are located in front of Grand Bunker Museum (visit link) in Ouistreham.

What type of artillery is this?: aircraft-defense cannon, field gun and howitzer Where is this artillery located?: Monument grounds What military of the world used this device?: Nazi Germany, many Commonwealth of Nations Parking location to view this Waymark: N 49° 17.265 W 000° 15.390 Cost?: 0.00 (listed in local currency) Artillery is no longer operational: no Still may work: no Date artillery was in use: Not listed Date artillery was placed on display: Not listed Are there any geocaches at this location?: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/30/2021 ipln visited it 11/16/2014 7seven visited it

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