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Photograph of a 20mm Oerlikon Anti-Aircraft Gun
Collection
The William Gladden Jr. Collection
Format
Original photographic print
Date
c. 1950
People
William Gladden Jr.; William Gladden; "Perrine Slim"
Location
San Diego, California, United States of America.
Historical Background
A photograph of a 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun, possibly aboard the USS General W.A. Mann (AP-112), which William Gladden Jr. boarded after U.S. Navy training in San Diego, California. The photograph is marked in pen by William Gladden Jr., reading "20mm Mount Aft." During the Korean War, US Navy ships typically mounted 20mm Oerlikon cannons, often in twin or single mounts, along the superstructure and aft decks for close-in anti-aircraft defense. While widely used in WWII, their effectiveness declined against jets, leading to a shift toward 40mm Bofors and 3-inch guns, although 20mm guns remained for surface-to-air defense, targeting small craft, and destroying floating mines.
Donor
Mr. Tarence Brown
