Kampfwagenkanone

Historical 5 cm KwK 39 in front to the Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz. 234

Kampfwagenkanone (KwK) (German, 'fighting vehicle cannon') was the designation given to any type of tank gun mounted in an armoured fighting vehicle or infantry fighting vehicle of the German-Wehrmacht until 1945. The wording was derived from the German nouns Kampfwagen (fighting vehicle) and Kanone (cannon or gun). However, the present-day designation in German speaking armed forces to this particular weapon system is Panzerkanone ('tank gun').[1]

Kampfwagenkanonen, developed in Germany, were normally derived from the construction concept of anti tank guns (Panzerabwehrkanone). Modifications were used in the anti-aircraft artillery (Flakartillerie) as well.

  1. ^ Panzerkanone – tank gun. Teil II/ Teil III Deutsch – Englisch. In: Bundessprachenamt (Hrsg.): Militärisches Studienglossar Englisch. Januar 2001, S. 284.