Here's What You Need to Know: Thankfully Berlin lost the war, but the word flak lives on with a new and different meaning.

Today the word “flak” essentially means “strong criticism,” as in “I took a lot of flak”—and while the word is commonly used today, few likely know of its origins, which actually date back to World War II and refer to a weapon designed by the Nazis. The concept of “taking flak” referred to anti-aircraft fire, but originally it was specific to one gun—the German FLAK 36 88mm multi-purpose gun.

The versatile 88mm cannon was Nazi Germany’s main heavy anti-aircraft gun, also known as the Flugabwehrkanone (meaning “aircraft defense cannon”), which was soon shortened to “flak.” During the Second World War, instead of aiming directly at the aircraft, the German cannon was used to fire an 88mm projectile that exploded at altitude, sending out jagged metal fragment that were able to tear into the wings and fuselage of Allied aircraft, notably bombers. When an 88mm projectile did make a direct hit against the thin-skinned aircraft the result was devastating, and typically resulted in the loss of the airplane.

The airborne explosions also produced a characteristic black cloud that hung in the sky, and indicated to pilots they were in the presence of the flak. Soon after, the word “flak” soon became a generic term for ground anti-aircraft fire. During the war it was not uncommon to hear, “flak so thick you could get out on walk on it” when someone described heavy antiaircraft fire.

Pre-war Development

As Germany had been prohibited from producing large caliber weapons per the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the FLAK anti-aircraft guns were actually developed by German weapons manufacturer Krupp and then built in partnership with the Swedish-based Bofors. The first prototypes were completed in 1928 as the FLAK 18 and designed to be mounted on a cruciform gun carriage that allowed for them to be aimed in any direction.

The cannons were also unique in that they were designed with a high rate of fire, and the FLAK 18 automatically ejected spent shells. The guns were tested in the Spanish Civil War, which led the Germans to refine the design as the FLAK 36, which featured the use of a two-piece barrel for easier replacement of worn liners. The trailer design was also improved, which streamlined the set up and transport of the fixed guns.

During the invasion of France in the early stages of the Second World War, the 8.8cm guns were deployed in an anti-tank role against French tanks, and modified versions specifically designed for an anti-tank role were first used in the North African campaign in 1941. In a few occasions the guns were reported to have penetrated enemy armor that was 150mm thick at a distance of 2 km—proving that the FLAK 36 was an effective tank killer.

The guns served as a dual anti-aircraft and anti-tank role during the invasion of the Soviet Union, but gradually reverted back to the primary role of anti-aircraft to counter American and British air raids. More than 20,000 “88s” as they came to be known were produced by the end of the war—but the lasting legacy is the still the word flak!

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites. He regularly writes about military small arms, and is the author of several books on military headgear including A Gallery of Military Headdress, which is available on Amazon.com.

This article first appeared in February 2021.

Image: Wikimedia Commons