Most effective portable anti-tank weapon of WWII ?

At heaviest Panzerschreck weighted 11kg without ammunition, similar to LMG's of that era. Of course it was rather heavy and clumsy to carry but not that much heavier than other non-personal infantryweapons of that era.

 

According to the US War Department Handbook on German Military Forces The Panzerschreck weighed 20.5 Lbs (9.3 kg). Each rocket weighed seven pounds (3.17 kg).

The M1 bazooka weighed 18lbs (8.1kg), the M9A1 16lbs (7.26 kg). The US Bazooka round (2.36" or 60mm) weighed 3.4lbs (1.53 kg).

The two launchers were about the same length wise.

 

to put it in comparison an MG34 weighed 12 kg before ammo and a BAR was 9kg before ammo. So 11 to 12 kg for an anti tank weapon is not so bad.

A STG44 weighed in at 5KG's before ammo as did the Panzerfaust

The Panzerfaust 100 was also a fantastic throwaway weapon penetrating 200mm at 150m, though one assumes it's accurate opperating distance was 100m as the name gave the range, Panzerfaust 30 (30 meters) and Panzerfaust 60 (60 meters)

FNG

 

Speaking with a Para that is not a quite accurate description. It wasn't that good. :lol:

 

The Panzerfaustwasn't a throw-away weapon. The troops were instruucted to bring back the barrels.

Christian

 

something like the Danish flaske retur ystem (bottle reuse system)?

 

We have a similar system in the uk for milk bottles and Barr soft drinks..yumm

FNG

 

Photo of one of only 10 working Boys anti-tank rifles. This one was made in 1942, by which time it was clearly obsolescent. The gunner pictured dismantled the gun to show the very large internal spring, apparently the recoil was terrible and when it was test-fired with the butt against a wall and braced by someone holding it with their feet, it broke their ankles! It's only advantages in action were the magazine loading, an anti dry fire protection mechanism and its accuracy.

I've also included a pic of various German infantry weapons that were on display at a recent re-enactment.

 

Thanks all three. I've been wondering for some time.

 

Actually, yes, as the soldiers were promised a reward for returning the barrel.

 

Good info on the PIAT

http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?ArticleID=194

 

Well i think the most eficient anti-tank weapon is the panzerfust and the american bazooka( Range up to 400 yards, effective to about 120 yards )

 

ive read somewhere that panzerfausts produced towards the end of the war could be used up to 10 times b4 being thrown away..as against the original 1shot wonders...is that correct???

 

yes, they did change them to make the launchers reusable due to shortages of material and the sheer weight of material left on the battlefield.

FNG

 

"Smoky Smith" Canada's Last VC Winner Died 3 Augu

"Smoky" Smith of the SeaForth Highlanders, BC Regiment, of Canada used a Piat anti-tank weapon (spring loaded, therefore no smoke trail to reveal the users position) to destroy two SP Guns, and one Panzer Mark V (Panther) at 9 meters (side shot). Because there was not smoke trail the second Panther withdrew, because, it nor the ten dead German infantry could eliminate him, and his wounded friend.

The remaining 20 infantry also withdrew thinking a superior force was defending the position. The Germans were right, it was defended by a Canadian; no movie has ever been made telling of this man's remarkable bravery, and skill. Long live Hollywood.

Am I a patriot, you are absolutely right I am.

 

The Piat a one shot weapon? That is not correct.

 

I didn't say they were one shot.

I said that you only got one shot as they are an absolute bugger to reload at the best of times. Let alone when lay in the mud hoping the tank you just shot at isn't going to come over.

FNG

 

I have never shot one, but from what I have read & been told reloading was fairly simple unless the spring did not work properly and the weapon had to be re-cocked.

As to 'spring fired' - apparently the PIAT was essentially a gun in principal, with the spring pushing a firing pin onto the projectile, which had a built-in propellant cartridge.
It was not a rocket, so there was no smoke trail, but the PIAT was fired, not shot.

Info from http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?ArticleID=194
Posted above somewhere

 

Not the impression I got. Besides simple stood up in the training yard is not the same as in a muddy trench lying down.

People talk about putting their back out trying to cock it.

the spring was also very unrelaible. D Day accounts show that most of the PIAT's dropped with the airborne troops either by chute or glider failed.

FNG

 

Have a read of the article - it is quite interesting.
http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?ArticleID=194

Merlin - you are the only person on here that I know who has handled one of these - any comments?