The Science of Flak: How Did German Anti-Aircraft Fire Really Bring Down Allied Planes?

During the Second World War, Allied aircraft conducting bombing missions over occupied Europe faced not-only the threat of enemy fighters but also navigated through skies illuminated by the bursts of Flugabwehrkanone or Flak, the German anti-aircraft defense cannons.
Whether firing from ground-based positions, rooftops or specially constructed Flak towers, the Flak served as the primary line of defense for many German cities during World War II.
In an era before aircraft became too-fast for conventional artillery and necessitated the use of missiles for interception, these cannons played a critical role in a city's aerial defense.
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