What guns were used in world war 2?

What Guns Were Used in World War 2?

World War 2 was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world’s nations. The war was fought between two main alliances: the Allies, which consisted of the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union, and the Axis, which consisted of Germany, Italy, and Japan. The war was characterized by the use of various firearms, artillery, and explosives, which played a significant role in shaping the course of the conflict.

Infantry Weapons

Small Arms

• Rifles: The Lee-Enfield (Britain), Karabiner 98k (Germany), Mosin-Nagant (Soviet Union), and M1903 Springfield (USA) were the most widely used rifles during World War 2.
• Submachine Guns: The Sten (Britain), MP 40 (Germany), PPSh-41 (Soviet Union), and Thompson (USA) were commonly used by infantry and commando units.
• Pistols: The Colt M1911 (USA), Luger P08 (Germany), and Tokarev TT-33 (Soviet Union) were used by officers and snipers.
• Machine Guns: The Bren (Britain), MG 34 (Germany), and Maxim-Tokarev (Soviet Union) were used to provide suppressive fire and defend positions.

Machine Gun Crews

• Heavy Machine Guns: The Vickers (Britain), MG 42 (Germany), and DShK (Soviet Union) were used to engage enemy positions and fortifications.
• Anti-Tank Guns: The 2-pounder (Britain), 3.7 cm Pak (Germany), and 45 mm (Soviet Union) were used to destroy tanks and fortifications.

Artillery

Field Artillery

• Guns: The QF 25-pounder (Britain), 10.5 cm leFH 18 (Germany), and 122 mm (Soviet Union) were used to fire high-explosive shells and fragmentation rounds.
• Howitzers: The BL 4.5-inch (Britain), 10.5 cm sFH 18 (Germany), and 122 mm (Soviet Union) were used to fire high-angle shells and smoke rounds.

Tank Guns

• Main Guns: The 2-pounder (Britain), 3.7 cm Pak (Germany), and 76.2 mm (Soviet Union) were used to engage enemy tanks and fortifications.
• Anti-Tank Guns: The 3.7 cm Pak (Germany) and 45 mm (Soviet Union) were used to engage enemy tanks and fortifications.

Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft Weapons

Fighter Aircraft Guns

• Machine Guns: The Browning M2 (USA), MG 151 (Germany), and ShKAS (Soviet Union) were used to engage enemy aircraft and ground targets.

Bomber Aircraft Guns

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• Machine Guns: The Browning M2 (USA), MG 131 (Germany), and ShKAS (Soviet Union) were used to engage enemy aircraft and ground targets.

Anti-Aircraft Guns

• Guns: The Bofors 40 mm (Britain), 88 mm FlaK (Germany), and 85 mm (Soviet Union) were used to engage enemy aircraft.
• Anti-Tank Cannons: The 37 mm (USA), 50 mm (Germany), and 57 mm (Soviet Union) were used to engage enemy tanks and fortifications.

Navy Guns

Battleship Guns

• Main Guns: The 14-inch (Britain), 15-inch (USA), and 28 cm (Germany) were used to engage enemy ships and fortifications.

Cruiser Guns

• Main Guns: The 8-inch (Britain), 8-inch (USA), and 20.3 cm (Germany) were used to engage enemy ships and fortifications.

Torpedo Boat Guns

• Machine Guns: The 20 mm (Britain), 20 mm (USA), and 37 mm (Germany) were used to engage enemy ships and aircraft.

Conclusion

World War 2 was a global conflict that saw the use of a wide range of firearms, artillery, and explosives. From infantry weapons to anti-aircraft guns, each nation played a significant role in shaping the course of the conflict. The war showcased the development and deployment of new technologies, such as tanks, aircraft, and naval vessels, which played a crucial role in the outcome of the war. The article has highlighted the various guns used during World War 2, providing a comprehensive overview of the firearms used during the conflict.

Table: Small Arms Used During World War 2

Table: Field Artillery Used During World War 2

Note: The tables and figures provided are not exhaustive, but rather a selection of the most commonly used guns during World War 2.