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Have the operational history for the HeeresFlak units and will start posting some details here.

General notes.

Most HeeresFlak units were only established in early 41.

The order for establishing the Abt from 14.02.1941 called for 2x4 8.8cm + 1x4 2cm Batteries, however a correction from the General of the Artillerie/OKH from 18.04.1941 notes that the 2cm Battery had 12x2cm The order only mentions 4 8.8cm per heavy battery but TOE scan shows the integrated 2cm troop, so they were around from the beginning. Some Abt were established with 3x4 8.8cm Batteries. Though officialy motorized units, actual motorisation was often lacking. I'll list the details later.

The establishment orders with only 4x2cm Battery is continued for the new units in 1942, this time with no corrections noted but where strength reports are available in June 42, they all show a 12x2cm Battery, so probably this is what they were formed with. Not to mention, a 4x2cm is not a Battery sized formation to begin with.

In June 1942 a 20t transport unit is added but the experience reports show mention this already in the beginning, though with practically no trucks.

Operational experience

HeeresFlak Abt 274 05.09.1941

A lot of Soviet air activity in the first few days, then very little with the Abt used for ground support until the end of August south of Gomel when it switches back to pure AA duties. In one day 700 rounds of 8.8cm consumed, low level strafing by Soviets with guns and bombs. No casualties noted.

8.8 used in ground role at close distance in Brest-Litowsk and crossing the Dnjepr. Some guns distributed for AT support but never fired a shot. One 8.8 Battery with 134 Inf Division used as artillery at 8-10 km.

Notes lack of trucks, servicing tools and spare parts. Munition sometimes needed to be transported 300 km, 8.8cm ammuntion should be delivered to lower level depots.

WIP 277,281,287 April 44 order 1.-2. to have 4 or 6 8.8cm and 3. to switch to 3.7cm by August/September/July

1941 3x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm) written order only mentions 4 8.8cm per heavy battery but TOE scan shows the 3 2cm, so they were around from beginning

271 April 42 ordered new TOE 2x4 8.8cm, 1x12 2cm + Fla Z from a Balloon Co; May 42 ordered to Pz Div 10 but changed to Pz Div 13; in April 43: 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x12 2cm, 1x (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl); August 44 destroyed with Pz Div 13; reformed in September 44, TOE as before but the 3. Bttr now with 6 3.7cm + 3 3.7cm(2); April 45 to Feldherrenhalle 2
276 April 42 ordered new TOE 2x4 8.8cm, 1x12 2cm; May 42 ordered to 6. Pz Div but changed to 14. Pz Div in June; destroyed at Stalingrad, rebuilt ready August 43 with TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4) sfl) and sent to Pz Div 14
277 April 42 ordered new TOE 2x4 8.8cm, 1x12 2cm and ordered to 11. Pz Div; May 43 addition of 4. with (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl);
278 April 42 ordered new TOE 2x4 8.8cm, 1x12 2cm, May 43 addition of 4. with (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl); August 1943 to 23. Pz Div



1941 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x12 2cm

272 October 42 Vierling org sfl; December 42 ordered to Sturm Brigade 1 but rescinded 30.01.1943 as they were not formed; April 43 ordered to 19. Pz Div
273 March 43 to 2. Pz Div, May 43 addition of 4. with (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl)
274 Stalingrad, rebuilt and ordered ready July 43 and sent to 16. Pz Div. with TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4) sfl)
275 March 43 shows 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x12 2cm, December 44 ordered to 10. Pz Gren Div
279 April 42 ordered to 14. Pz Div but rescinded by June and again Heerestruppe, August to November 44 repeated order/cancellation to 25. Pz Div, seems to have never taken place
280 heavy losses leads to leftovers being integrated into 10./Pz Art Reg 88, rebuilt by August 43 with 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x12 2cm, but changes to vierling sfl org from September 43 and goes to 18. Art Div, July 44 Heerestruppe, August 44 plans for 25. Pz Div but ends with Brandenburg Pz Gren Div in September 44


1942, order from 10.02.1942, ready April / ordered TOE 2x4 8.8cm, 1x4 2cm (however strength reports from early June 42 show 12 2cm, with no org change so noted)


281 by April 44 with 116. Panzer Div but unclear when it joined, TOE March 45 2x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x (3 2cm(4)+ 3 3.7cm(2) + 3 1.5cm(3))
282 May 42 to 60. (Mot) Inf Div, Stalingrad, rebuilt ready August 43 again with 60. Mot Inf Div -> Feldherrenhalle with TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4) sfl)
283 May 42 to 24. Pz Div, Stalingrad, rebuilt ordered March 43, still 24. Pz DIv but unknown ready date, TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4) sfl)
284 planned for 12. or 18. Panzer Div but ends up with 25. Panzer Div in August 43, March 44 to 20. Pz Gren Div
285 Flak for GD Div, February 42 standard TOE, at some point before October 42 addition of 2x 9 3.7cm sfl, January 43 TOE 3x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm sfl), 2x 9 3.7cm sfl, 1x 4 2cm(4) sfl), by July 44 6 gun 8.8cm batteries
286 Heerestruppe until May 43 then to 8. Pz Div, June 43 addition of 4. with (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl)
287 May 42 to 9. Pz Div, June 43 addition of 4. with (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl)
288 Heerestruppe until May 43 then to 5. Pz Div, June 43 addition of 4. with (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl)
289 May 42 to 22. Panzer Div, Febuary 43 becomes Heeres unit again with dissolution of 22. Pz Div, by April 43 unit dissolved, rebuilt May 43 TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4))
312 May 42 to 3. Mot Inf Div, Stalingrad, rebuilt and ordered to 386 (later renamed 3.) Mot Inf Div then Pz Gren Div, ready May?43 with Vierling org, May 43 addition of 4. with (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl). In March 44 3. has 6 3.7cm(2), 1. and 2.'s 2cm are vierling.
313 May 42 to 29. Mot Inf Div, Stalingrad, rebuilt and ordered to 345 (later renamed 29.) Mot Inf Div, ready ?, vierling org with 2 platoons each
314 April 42 to 3. Pz Div, April 43 addition of 4. with (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl)

1942, order from 20-30.04.1942, ready July / ordered TOE 2x4 8.8cm, 1x4 2cm (almost certainly had 12 from the beginning)

302 ready July 42, intended for 7. but sent to 10. Pz Div, May lost in NA, June 43 existing unnumbered Abt with Kampfgruppe Vesuv (Eingreifreserve Festland) with TOE 2x12 2cm, 1x12 3.7cm(later corrected? to 9) receives the 302 number, non Mot; March 44 now Mot and new TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4)), 1x9 3.7cm, from September 44 with 1.,2. with 6 8.8cm.
303 ready July 42, destroyed and in March 43 the rests of 291 that formed 10./Pz Art Reg 2 are renamed 303 and sent to 12. Pz Div, receives 4. with (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl)



1942 order from 26.10.1942, ready January 43 / ordered TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x12 2cm or Vierling org: (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4), the (4) sometimes sfl.)

290 Vierling org, sfl, from February 43 to 4. Pz Div, May 43 addition of 4. with (8 2cm Sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl), Janaury 45 strength/TOE? 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x(9 3.7cm sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl + 2 2cm sfl)
291 December 42 ordered to Sturm Brig 2 but rescinded, ready January 43 but nearly wiped out by March, rests used for 10. / Pz Art Reg 2, rebuilt and ready July 43, October 43 ordered new TOE intended for rear area duties 3x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm) + 4x3 2cm(4) sfl (escort fuel transports), February 44 TOE 3x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm), May 43 addition of 4. (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4))
292 Vierling org, sfl, ready January 43, but nearly wiped out by March, rests used for 10. / Pz Art Reg 88, rebuilt and ready September 43, December 43 Vierling org, November 44 demotorised and TOE 2x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm) + 1x(9 3.7cm + 3 2cm(4) sfl) and ordered to 25. Pz Gren Div, though unclear whether that took place
293 Vierling org, sfl, ready January 43 and ordered to 78. Sturm Div, rebuilt ready January 45 and ordered to 90.Pz Gren Div though not clear if this happened, March 45 TOE 2x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm) + 1x(3 3.7cm + 3 3.7cm(2) + 3 3.7cm sfl + 3 2cm(4) sfl)


1943, order from 07.04.1943 for 4 Abt non Mot, however 21.04.43 shows units as Mot, ready June/July / ordered TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x12 2cm or (Vierling org: 9 2cm + 2 2cm(4) mostly towed but sometimes sfl.)

294 ready July 43 and ordered to 760 Art Reg, November 43 TOE 3x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), February 44 TOE 3x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm), May 44 ordered additon of 4. (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4)), January 45 unmotorised, 4. is (9x3.7cm + 3 2cm) and ordered to Division zV
295 July 43 ready, December 43 Vierling org, April 44 noted as unmotorised and ordered to 20. Pz DIv, September 44 TOE 2x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm) + Medium Battery KSTN 1712
300 ready June 43, December 43 with Vierling org, November 44 intended for 18. Pz Gren Div but inclear if it happened, rebuilt non Mot January 45 TOE 2x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm) + (9 3.7cm + 3 2cm(4))
301 ready July 43, December 43 with Vierling org, May 44 to Panzer Lehr Div but by July 44 again Heerestruppe then back to Panzer Lehr Div in November 44, July 43 receives another 6x8.8cm Battery


22.12.1942 request for for forming 5 Abt; 1 March 43, 2 April 43, 2 May 43 ordered TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x12 2cm or Vierling org: (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4) mostly towed but sometimes sfl.)

296 ready April 43, intended for 20. then 12. but from May with 7. Pz Div; +4. Battery 8 2cm sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl, June 44 TOE 2x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm) + Medium Battery KSTN 1712 (noted as in print), February 45 3. with (3 3.7cm + 3 3.7cm(2) + 3 3.7cm sfl + 3 2cm(4) sfl)
297 ready April 43, intended for 2. Pz Div but goes to 17. Pz Div; +4. Battery 8 2cm sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl
298 ready May 43, from April with 6. Pz Div; +4. Battery 8 2cm sfl + 2 2cm(4) sfl, Abt detached August 44, March 45 3. (6 3.7 + 3 2cm sfl + 3 2cm(4) sfl)
299 ready March 43, with 1. Pz Div, +4. Battery
304 ready September 43 with 26. Pz Div; special TOE 2x(6 8.8cm sfl + 4 2cm sfl + 1 2cm(4) sfl), 1x(8 2cm sfl + 3 2cm(4) sfl)

Renaming of Flak Battalions

305 ex Fla Bat 609, from April 43 with 21. Pz Div. and lost in NA; rebuilt September 43 TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x( 9 2cm + 2 2cm(4))
Fla Kp Rhodos late 43, TOE 12 2cm sfl, 4 2cm(i); December 44 order for Abt from Fla Abt 806, Mot, TOE 4x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm) for Pz Gren Brig Rhodos
Führer Begleit 1 January 45, mot, HQ interprets an Directive to mean that Luftwaffe Abt with Brigade should transfer to Heer, but this is denied, TOE seems to be 4x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 3x( 9 2cm(4) sfl/3.7cm sfl), to note is massive numbers of LMG issued, 11 per Battery while it was 2 in early war, 4 mid war. March 45 order for a Führer Flak Abt to be formed from Heer
Führer Begleit 2 as above, TOE 3x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x9 3.7cm, 1x12 2cm

various

OKH HQ Flak protection, unmotorised
306 ready October/November 1943, various TOE changes that stabilised in April 44 to 30x8.8 cm, 39x3.7cm, sent to the East in July 44, January 45 TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x12 3.7cm with rest used to rebuild 318

311 order from November 43, by January 44 with Pz Lehr Div, TOE 3x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm) from June 44 with 6 guns per battery,
315 May 43 order to from an Abt from the troops/material waiting in Italy for transfer to NA, June 43 ready with Division "Kommando Sizilien" that is then renamed 15. Pz Gren Div, TOE 1x12 3.7cm sfl, 2x12 2cm, 1 (3 2cm(4) + 4 2cm), July renamed Fla Bat 315, August 44 strength 2x (4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x (4 3.7cm sfl + 2 3.7cm + 4 2cm(4)), 1x(6 2cm sfl + 8 2cm + 2 2cm(4)), December 44 strength 2x (4 8.8cm+3 2cm(4)), 1x (3 3.7cm + 7 2cm + 2 2cm sfl) 17 Of, 109 Uffz, 498 Mann
316 ad hoc unit w. french guns formalised December 43, non Mot, new TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x( 9 2cm + 2 2cm(4)), April 44 1.+2. with 6 8.8 with 3. ordered to convert to heavy battery in August 44, but unclear if this happened
317 August 44 renamed Reserve Flak Abt 276, non Mot, TOE 3x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm), 2x( 9 2cm + 2 2cm(4)), September 44 disbanded to reinforce other units, January 45 rebuilt to previous TOE and ordered to Division zV and should have been made partially Mot by Division
318 August 44 renamed Reserve Flak Abt 278, non Mot, TOE 3x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm), 2x( 9 2cm + 2 2cm(4)), September 44 disbanded to reinforce other units, January 45 rebuilt to TOE 2x (4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x 12 3.7cm by disbanding old 306
321 Mot. January 45, from existing Reserve and Replacement Abt 280 of 1603 Reserve Division, half strength, sent to Pz Div Holstein
Donau Sicherungs Bttr 419 ordered June 44, unmotorised, TOE 60x2cm, at some point in 45 renamed Donau Sicherungs Abteiling


Abt from existing ind. Heeres Flak Batteries, one order from 14.11.43 for the Bttrs 401-416 3.7 Battery only 6 guns initially, another 3.7 platoon ordered established February 44

307 Mot (Bttrs 418-422), ready October 43, TOE 4x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), September 1944 TOE changed to 2x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x12 3.7cm, 1x( 9 2cm + 2 2cm(4))
308 non Mot (Bttrs 406,407, 409-412), ready January 44,TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x12 3.7cm, 2x12 2cm (vierling org from April44);
309 non Mot (Bttrs 401-403, 408, 413, 414), ready January 44, TOE 3x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x9 3.7cm, 2x12 2cm (vierling org from June 44);
310 non Mot (Bttrs 404,405,410,415,416) ready December 43, TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x9 3.7cm, 2x12 2cm (vierling org from June 44);

319 non Mot, ready January 45 (417,418, Fla MG 202+361+sundry ad hoc units) TOE 2x(6 8.8cm+3 2cm), 1x (9 3.7cm + 4 2cm(4)), 2x30 2cm(3)
320 non Mot, (1.2. Schw Fla Niederlande, 1.2. le Fla N) forming since October 44, ready date pushed back into early 45 due to lack of vehicles, TOE 2x(4 8.8cm+3 2cm), 2x (9 2cm + 2 2cm(4))