Anti-Aircraft Vehicles

While aircraft were first widely used during World War I, they became the flying artillery of the armies during World War II. In order to provide protection to armored and motorized units, anti-aircraft guns were mounted on tank or truck chassis so that they could engage enemy aircraft while on the move without having to setup or deploy. While designed for shooting down aircraft, these units can also be effective against infantry and tanks.

Russian

ZSU-37

The Soviet engineers spent a large part of the conflict designing prototypes of self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicles. Despite the advances due to successive adaptations based on the T-70 chassis, the ZSU-37, whose production began in 1945, was never involved in the war. The ZSU-37 was equipped with a 37mm automatic gun mounted on an open-top turret. The front of the chassis was protected by 30mm, very inclined armor plating which provided sufficient protection from light anti-tank guns. However, the armor of the turret and the weapon mounting were insufficient and could be penetrated by anti-tank rifles and low caliber guns, wounding the crew and damaging the weapon. It was better armed than the anti-aircraft vehicles of other nations, which usually mounted 20mm automatic guns, and although the rate of fire was lower, it could destroy light and medium tanks at short ranges, and even damage heavy tanks if it aimed at the sides or caterpillar tracks.

German

SdKfz 7/1

This adaptation of the Panzer I was equipped with a 20mm Flak 38 anti-aircraft gun mounted on an uncovered, revolving platform. Only 24 vehicles were converted and sent to the front, where the limited crew protection made it a dangerous Achilles heel. It was especially efficient against enemy infantry and in operations for providing cover to troops against light vehicles. However, it lacked the speed required to act as a fast intervention vehicle, a role that was performed better by the SdKfz 222 or SdKfz 234 Puma.

Wirbelwind

The Wirbelwind was an adaptation of the Panzer IV, equipped with a quadruple 20mm anti-aircraft gun that replaced the original turret.

Although very vulnerable to enemy tanks, the Wirbelwind turned out to be excellent as an infantry support vehicle. Its four guns could wipe out an area in seconds and destroy any fixed enemy weapon and its crew before they could return fire. The turret and hull were sufficiently armored to protect from light weapons and anti-tank rifles, but its high profile was a perfect target for any surviving anti-tank gun.