Sub-Section B

(13 mm to 30 mm calibre)

As there is a large variety of shell types this pamphelt has been limited to details of:–

20 mm Oerlikon (Flak)	A.A. and A.tk. ammunition.
20 mm Solothurn

and reference only to:–

13 mm Solothurn	Aircraft gun ammunition.
15 mm Mauser
20 mm Oerlikon
20 mm Mauser
30 mm Solothurn
30 mm Mk 108

The general description of packing, labels and colour identification given below, applies to the two land service types of ammunition. There are variations of the system in the air-service ammunition and there are one or two instances where colours on the shell con-flict with this general system. Accurate identification de-pends upon correct translation of the package label.

1. Packing

All types are issued unbelted. Each round is contained in a cardboard cylinder closed at one end to protect the nose or nose fuze of the shell.

These cylinders are packed in wooden, zinc lined ammunition boxes. This zinc lining is sealed air-tight in three ways–soldered, or by means of a lid, seated in rubber or luting.

2. Package labels

The label has a main heading which gives the designation of the ammunition either in full or in abbreviation.

Other information on the label gives the manufacturing codes and some detail of the components.

For quick recognition, the following colour system is used on the label:–

All yellow label	Indicates H.E.
Yellow label with red triangle in each corner	Indicates H.E./I.
White label over-stencilled with a red "O"	A.P. (inert or no filling).
White label over-stencilled with a red "Ph"	A.P./I.
White label over-stencilled with a red "Z"	A.P.H.E.(S.D.)
Diagonally – half white/half red label	A.P. (tungsten carbide core)
Vertical blue band	Steel cartridge case.
Diagonal green band	Practice ammunition.

Additional letter in the main designation on the label:–

(Oerl) indicates Oerlikon ammunition of the Flak 28.

"Flak" indicates the types of Solothurn ammunition wich are for A.A. only.

3. Markings of rounds (Plate V)

(a) Shell colours:

A yellow shell with black stencilling	= H.E.
yellow shell with red stencilling	= H.E./I.
black shell with white stencilling	= A.P.
grey shell with black stencilling	= Practice
bright unpainted alloy or black painted, pointed shell	= A.P. (tungsten carbide core)

(b) Coloured bands on the shell

A 6 mm coloured band above the driving band indicates the colour of the tracer

(A yellow tracer is not indicated on a yellow shell).

A thin red ring above the driving band (superimposed on the tracer band if necessary) in-dicates tropical loading. In this case a red tracer is indicated by a red band below the fuze or a red tip on A.P. shells.

A black ring above the driving band is sometimes used to indicate the absence of self-destruction on H.E. shell.

The following stencillings are common to all types:–

Manufacturer's code	e.g. avu
Delivery code number	e.g. 2a
Year of manufacture	e.g. 41
Weight of shell in grammes	e.g. 148 g

Additional information (e.g. W, Z, Br. etc.) appear on one or two rounds and are mentio-ned specifically in the tables. (See list of abbreviations for their meaning).

Note:–

20 mm types:

There are four types of 20 ammunition. External views are shown of Plate VI, and as will be seen they can be identified by the dimensions and shape of the cartridge case. All cases originally brass are now made of steel (laqcured).

4. Notes on Land Service Ammunition (the identifying feature of the label designation is in italics).

(a) 20 mm Oerlikon (Flak)

The case is rimless (1 1/2 in. longer than the air service type) and has a shoulder. The ammunition is percussion fired.

Example of the designation on the package label:–

2 cm Brand-Sprenggranat-Patrone 40 L'spur (rot) (Oerl.)

The following types have been encountered:–

20 mm Oerlikon Flak

Type	German Nomenclature	Colour of Projectile	Colour Bands on Projectile	Stencilling
HE/T (S.D.)	2 cm Sprenggranat-Patrone 40 L'spur (rot) (Oerl.)	Yellow aluminium fuze	Red band above driving band	Normal stencilling and "W" in black.
HE/I/T (S.D.)	2 cm Brand-Sprenggranat-Patrone 40 L'spur (rot) (Oerl.)	Yellow aluminium fuze	Red band also covering the driving band	Normal stencilling and "W" and "Br" in red
HE/I (S.D.)	2 cm Brand-Sprenggranat-Patrone ohne L'spur (Oerl.)	Yellow aluminium fuze	–––	Normal stencilling and "Br" o. L'spur in red.