Without doubt one of the most famous – and feared – anti-tank weapons of World War II was the “German 88.” The 88mm Pak 43/41 was the anti-tank gun developed from the 88mm Flak anti-aircraft gun.

While the original Flak gun was pressed into service in the anti-tank role as a stop-gap measure that worked exceedingly well, a purpose-built anti-tank gun – the 8.8cm Panzerabwehrkanone (PaK) 43 and later 43/41 L/71 – was developed and put into production in 1943.

The original PaK 43 was a minimal departure from the Flak version: it had a semi-automatic vertical breech mechanism, a cruciform mount, and limited off-road mobility.
The later Pak 43/41 (of the type that is on display) was significantly different, and more closely resembled the earlier PaK 38 and PaK 40 anti-tank weapons. Its carriage was based on the 105mm field howitzer, mounted the wheels used by the 150mm field howitzer fH 18, had split trails, an armor shield, and a limited traverse of only 56 degrees. Because of its weight it could only be towed by tractors.

The weapon could fire both anti-tank and high explosive rounds, and had a rate of fire of 6 to 10 rounds per minute. The 88mm L/71 gun was essentially the same as mounted by the “King Tiger,” and could penetrate 165mm or armor at a range of 1000m.

The Pak43/41 served in Army Heavy Anti-tank Battalions (schwere Heeres-Panzerjager-Abteilung) and saw service on all fronts for the remainder of the war.