The Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind is a German anti-aircraft tank.
Description[]
As the war deteriorated for Germany in the second half of World War II, the need of a self-propelled anti-aircraft system that could accompany armoured columns and protect them from air attacks became more and more dire. Earlier iterations of such vehicles used chassis from obsolete tanks or various utility vehicles, but those were thinly armoured and hence vulnerable to direct attacks. Introduced in mid-1944, the Wirbelwind (whirlwind) was one of the Panzer IV conversions, and it was armed with 20mm Flakvierling 38 in an open topped turret. Although the Wirbelwind was soon succeeded by the Ostwind, the vehicle nonetheless proved to be effective in its role, but it was never available in sufficient numbers.
In BattleGroup42, the Wirbelwind is useful not only against enemy aircraft, but also against light vehicles and infantry. However, the first crew position, who drives the vehicle and controls the gun at the same time, is located on the open top turret, hence is vulnerable to small arms fire from above. The guns are fired in pairs, and fire control for the guns on the left are independent from those on the right. The second position controls the MG 34 in the hull, which can help fend off infantry directly in front of the Flakpanzer.
The Wirbelwind appears from July 1944 onwards in European theatre.
Trivia[]
- The Wirbelwind's model is based on the Flakpanzer from Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII.
Gallery[]
