Project Barbara


Project Barbara was a project by the Kriegsmarine, which was undertaken during World War II, to improve the anti-aircraft capabilities of its ships.

History

During this project, numerous anti-aircraft guns were to be added to all surface ships, including destroyers. In 1944 a sub-project was set up, to give small ships, including destroyers, 3.7 cm Flak M42 anti-aircraft guns. In mid–1941, the decision was made to upgrade existing guns to either or guns. The decision was made to use the 5.5 cm Flak Gerät 58 anti-aircraft guns, which were in development, and which were to be able to fire at a rate of either 120 or 150 rounds per minute, and to be capable of single shot fire. It was to be gas operated and able to work on a triaxial or quad-axial mount. This project never reached fruition, and no guns of the type were ever mounted. Later on, the decision was made to replace all with 3 cm MK 303 Flak| guns, but this too was not completed.