In the second half of 1940, the Wehrmacht began deploying the 2 cm Flak 38 anti-aircraft gun. Its reliable design and high rate of fire made it effective for close-range air defense. Beyond engaging aircraft, the gun could also target lightly armored vehicles.
A full combat crew consisted of five soldiers, though four or even three could operate it effectively. To enhance mobility, the 2 cm Flak 38 was mounted in the cargo beds of various wheeled and half-tracked vehicles. One such vehicle was the half-track version of the widely used Wehrmacht truck V3000S, designated Sd.Kfz.3b (also known as V3000S/SSM).
The guns could be installed on special platforms or directly in the cargo bed. To enable firing, the vehicle’s side panels were folded down or removed entirely. This configuration transformed the vehicles into self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which the German Army used for both air defense and infantry fire support.