Kommandogerät 41/L

[Visje]

Hi all,

I have found a reference to something called "Kommandogerät 41/L(uft?)", which was fitted to Schwimmende Flakbatterien Arkona and Medusa. The name suggests some sort of fire control system, but what exactly was it?

Thanks,
Visje

[Peter K.]

Hello !

A "Kommandogerät" is a device of a heavy AA battery, which calculate the bearing and elevation for the guns to shoot down an incoming aircraft. This calculation depends on the accuraty of the range finder.

I only know the following "Kommandogeräte":
- Kommandohilfsgerät 35 (Kdo.Hl.Ger.35), used since 1935
- Kommandogerät 36 (Kdo.Ger.36), used since 1936
- Kommandogerät 40 (Kdo.Ger.40), used since 1940

The following range finders were used:
- Em 4m R(H) 34, since 1934
- Em 4m R(H) 36, since 1936
- Em 4m R 40, since 1940
- Em 6m R, only for 12,8 cm AA batteries and for Navy batteries

Greetings from Austria
Peter K.

[Visje]

Hi Peter,

Thanks a lot for the information. The information I have is hearsay, but I do know the source: Greve "Die Luftverteidigung von Wilhelmshafen", or a title to that extent. The Kommandogerat 41/L (if it really was that one) was used in combination with the type 6m R range finder, IIRC. (away from my navy stuff right now)

Cheers,

JanV