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Introduction   ..................................................................................................		73

73. INTRODUCTION.

a. The sighting and fire control equipment for the 8.8 cm Flak 18 or 36 varies, depending on the use to which the weapon is put. The gun may be used for direct fire as in antitank work, for indirect fire, or for antiaircraft fire.

b. For direct fire the telescopic sight ZF.20E (Zielfernrohr 20E) is used for laying the gun in azimuth and elevation. This sight, consisting of elbow telescope, telescope mount, and range drum is mounted on a bracket geared to the elevation quadrant on the right-hand side of the top carriage. The gun is laid in elevation by matching its pointer on the elevation quadrant against a pointer controlled by the telescopic sight.

c. The gun may be laid in azimuth and elevation against aircraft, moving ground or sea targets in accordance with data obtained from a director. Either of two directors may be used. The stereoscopic director Kdo. Gr. 36 (Kommandogerät 36) connects electrically to the on-carriage equipment for blackout dial matching. The auxiliary director Kdo. Hi. Gr. 35 (Kommandohilfsgerät 35) develops data which are telephoned to the gun crew. It is much lighter than the Kdo. Gr. 36 and is intended for mobile use. It is designed to be carried by porter bar.

d. When the stereoscopic director Kdo. Gr. 36 is used, the off carriage equipment includes a distribution box; a switchboard with battery source of power for telephone and transmission of data; cables connecting the director to the distribution box, switchboard, and guns. The on-carriage equipment includes the instruments listed below:

(1) The panoramic telescope Rbl. F. 32 (Rundblickfernrohr 32) which is placed in a telescope holder on the top of the recuperator for initial orientation of the guns with the director.

(2) The azimuth indicator.

(3) The elevation indicator.

(4) The fuze setter.

(5) On-carriage wiring and boxes.

e. When the auxiliary director Kdo. Hi. Gr. 35 is used, a 4-meter range finder (separately connected) furnishes slant range.

f. Information is not available on the switchboard, the off-carriage cables, or the height finder telescopes of the Kdo. Gr. 36.