The German 88mm gun is perhaps the most infamous weapon of World War II. Initially designed for anti-aircraft defence, its devastating effectiveness against tanks, first showcased in the Spanish Civil War, earned it a fearsome reputation. Despite its potency, the original 88 was bulky and difficult to manoeuvre.
Recognising the 88’s potential, the Germans developed a two-piece barrel version in 1943. This design was intended for both tanks and anti-tank roles, using the same ammunition.
The Pak 43 was a German 8.8 cm anti-tank gun developed by Krupp and used during World War II. The Pak 43 was the most powerful anti-tank gun of the Wehrmacht to see service in significant numbers.
It appeared as the PaK43/41 on a mobile carriage and the KwK43 within the Tiger II tank. However, production delays for the anti-tank version necessitated a rushed, simplified model mounted on a cumbersome, two-wheeled carriage.
This 88mm PaK 43/41 which was captured by the British stood outside the School of Infantry in Warminster for decades. In 1996 it was donated to the Tank Museum. The decision was made to restore the weapon. Back then, the Tank Museum did not restore its exhibits, it would conserve them. So this was quite a change. The restoration was started in 2008 and was finished four years later in 2012.