Fliegerabwehrkanonen (Flak) AAA (Anti-Aircraft-Artillery)
The accuracy and effectiveness of FLAK or anti-aircraft artillery fire was derided at the start of the war but it gained a healthy respect as the war dragged on. By 1942 15,000 88mm (3.46 in) guns formed the bulk of heavy flak defenses for Germany. Large numbers of 37mm (1.47 in) and 20mm (0.79 in) guns filled the skies with shells during every air raid. Often arrayed in "belts" around a city or target 88s could fire 22 lb (10 kg) shells up to 35,000 ft (10600 m) at a rate of 15-20 rounds per minute. The excellent 88mm (3.46 in) gun proved very effective especially when radar was used to help with aiming. The shells exploding at a preset altitude sending metal splinters flying in all directions. Later groups of up to 40 heavy flak guns Grossbatterien fired rectangular patterns of shellbursts known as box barrages that proved very deadly to enemy bombers.
In 1944 Flak accounted for 3,501 American planes destroyed, enemy fighters shot down about 600 less in the same time period. More flak guns gradually appeared, mainly the 128mm (5 in) German Flak accounted for 50 of the 72 RAF bombers lost over Berlin on the night of March 24th, 1944. An incredible 56 bombers were destroyed or crippled by flak during a B-17 raid on Merseburg in November of 1944.
Extract from:
http://www.ww2guide.com/flak.shtml
Yes it has been a wonderful year of growth and prosperity within our checker community. It has been a quiet year with a lot of nice things happening; such as commemoratrating the "250th Anniversary of William Payne's--"Game of Draughts" and the publication of Alex's first book--the "6th" (and Alex promises more books to come in the future). I don't recall Alan having once to put on his flak jacket. We anticipate that this next year will be even a better one for each and every one of us. Let us all work together to make this come true not only for ourselves, but for our checker community as well. 
Alex