(1) For primary AA role.—In the normal battery of four heavy AA guns, the pieces are disposed roughly in a square of approximately 70 yards. A fully equipped battery position will have two command posts, but this may vary in accordance with the importance of the locality and the availability of fire-control equipment. There are also several types of six-gun layouts.

(2) For other roles.—Emplacement of the 88-mm gun when being used primarily against tanks or in a role other than AA depends partly upon the terrain and partly upon certain rules laid down for the selection of a firing position, as follows: the angle of impact should not be greater than 60 degrees; the range should generally not exceed 2,000 yards; the gun level should slope downward (since the gun level varies from -3° to +15° from the horizontal of the muzzle); the position should be concealed, and as near to the target as possible in order to insure maximum accuracy and surprise in opening fire; the lanes of approach and withdrawal must be as firm, level, and wide as possible.

As both the four- and six-gun layouts used in forward areas do not differ materially from those prescribed for AA guns engaged in the defense of Germany and in other static rear-area positions, attention is invited to the discussion of this subject appearing in Section IV of this study.

b. Light and Medium AA Guns

Light and medium Flak guns are normally disposed in platoons of three. A triangular layout is common but not unchangeable, with the guns anywhere from 75 to 150 yards apart. These light guns are seldom deployed singly; however, in other than AA roles their use may depend primarily on emergency conditions, with consequent deviations from normal methods of disposition.