Questions about AAA emplacements

[Jade_Monkey]

With the upcoming Normandy map, I was looking forward to building missions with realistic AAA ground units defending important objectives.

I am looking for answers for British, German, and even American units when applicable.

 

I have a few questions:

 

1. From my research (source) it looks like German Flak 88 emplacements were formed by 4-6 heavy guns and 2x20mm guns.
   • Were the heavy guns always grouped together in a square or spread out?
   • How many of these 4-6 heavy gun batteries would you expect in cities like Calais, Le Havre, Caen, Cherbourg?
2. How were the British equivalents (QF 3.7-inch) organized? was it 8 guns dividedn into two troops (source)?
3. How many guns defended a typical British airfield?
4. How were US airfields defended? We have the M1 and the 50cal guns in game. Are we missing a ~20mm US equivalent in game? 
5. Did radars (both British and German) have nearby AAA defenses? typical number of guns?

 

Much appreciate any help in this regard!

[LukeFF]

3 hours ago, Jade_Monkey said:

How were US airfields defended? We have the M1 and the 50cal guns in game. Are we missing a ~20mm US equivalent in game? 

 

Both the British and the Americans used 40 mm Bofors guns for airfield defense. 20 mm, not so much, if at all by 1944. 

[Stonehouse]

My understanding was that typically the 88 battery was in an approx square arrangement with the Kommandogerät 40 in the center with cables running from the fire control unit to each gun. It seems that Luftwaffe and Wehrmacht flak battalions had quite different TO&E and also they changed by period of the war. I haven't seen much detailed documentation though. 

 

Best seen so far is:

Army PD 43 Army Flak Artillery Detachment
2 Bttrs 8,8cm - 3 2cm and 4 8,8cm
1 Bttry 2cm - 12 2cm
1 Bttry 2cm - 9 2cm, 2 SP Quad 2cm

Army PD44 Army Flak Artillery Detachment
2 Bttrs 8,8cm - 3 2cm and 6 8,8cm
1 Bttry 3,7cm - 9 3,7cm, 3 SP Quad 2cm, 4 60cm Searchlights

 

Luftwaffe Hermann Goering Division apparently was like below but it seems like Luftwaffe units varied greatly and there is little documentation:

FschFlakRegt. in FschPzKorps 'Hermann Goering'

Regt Staff

I - 1 to 3 Bttrs. each 3 2cm and 6 8,8cm, 4 - 12 3,7cm, 5 - 9 SP 2cm and 3 SP Quad 2cm, 6 - 10 SP Quad 2cm.
II - 7 - 4 2cm and 6 8,8cm, 8 and 9 - each 3 2cm and 6 8,8cm, 10 - 13 3,7cm, 11 - 9 SP 2cm and 3 SP Quad 2cm, 12 - 10 SP Quad 2cm

III - 13 - 4 2cm and 6 8,8cm, 14 - 3 2cm and 6 8,8cm, 15 - 2 2cm and 6 8,8cm, 16 - 12 3,7cm, 17 - 9 SP 2cm and 3 SP Quad 2cm, 18 - 12 SP Quad 2cm.
IV - 19 and 20 - each 4 2cm and 8 8,8cm, 21 and 22 - each 4 2cm and 7 8,8cm, 23 - 9 2cm and 3 Quad 2cm, 24 - 12 Quad 2cm. 

 

The self propelled 2cm guns were Sd.Kfz.10/4 it seems. 

 

Maybe indicative examples of German airfield defenses, although I expect by 1944-45 they would have increased.

Abbeville
Defenses: by 1 Oct 43, the airfield was protected by a 6-gun and two 4-gun
heavy Flak positions together with 21 light Flak positions, all of these within
3 km of the center of the field. A system of defense trenches with
numerous machine gun positions surrounded the airfield.

 

Évreux-Fauville

Defenses: in Jun 43, heavy Flak consisted of a 6-gun position and two 4-gun
positions along with at least 12 positions of light Flak, including 6 tower
emplacements. The SW corner area and most of the Flak positions were
protected by barbed wire, defensive trenches and strongpoint bunkers
equipped with machine guns.

6 satellite/decoy airfields within 6 kms of the main field all becoming operational by July 44

 

 

Edited July 20, 2022 by Stonehouse

[Stonehouse]

Ok seems like your source is saying the center fire control was a secondary control point and the main one was to the side or rear. See page in your source Section E gun layouts. Things I've read didn't mention a main and secondary fire control but things change over time and quite likely experience proved the need for a backup unit. Interesting reading. Thanks for the link.

[Peachy9]

Check this out - Page 86 I think re Q1

 

The answer is that it varies!!

 

 

https://stephentaylorhistorian.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/german-aa-weapons.pdf

Edited August 28, 2022 by Peachy9