Abstract: A circuit arrangement for igniting at least one gas discharge flash tube having two main electrodes includes a chargeable flash capacitor connected in parallel with the flash tube and an electronic switch. These elements are connected to a voltage generator which supplies ignition voltage pulses and the electronic switch constitutes a gas discharge path for the flash tube. The voltage generator has such a low impedance, in particular a low inductance, that the ignition voltage pulses supplied thereby at least approximately adiabatically heat the gas discharge paths.