eighty eight

The eighty eight was a weapon in the German army in World War Two. Actually an anti-aircraft weapon firing an 88 mm shell, the 88 had a major advantage in range over many Allied artillery pieces. German gun crews fighting in the Spanish Civil war turned the gun on approaching tanks that had broken through their lines - unsure how effective they would be. Germans quickly converted the gun to anti-tank use, putting the gun into their vaunted Tiger Tanks. Allied tanks were knocked out before they were able to get close enough to use their weapons. The eighty eight had a self ejecting shell and were deployed in numerous configurations including tanks, self propelled guns, and a four legged gun that was towed behind a vehicle. They were less effective at close range.