What Guns did Germany Use in WW2?
Germany’s military forces, the Wehrmacht, employed a diverse range of firearms during World War II. From rifle-caliber weapons to tank cannons, Germany’s arsenal was designed to provide effectiveness on the battlefield. Here, we’ll explore some of the most significant small arms, machine guns, and artillery pieces used by the German military during this period.
Small Arms
Germany’s standard issue rifle during WW2 was the Karabiner 98k, a bolt-action rifle with a 7.92x57mm Mauser caliber. The Karabiner 98k was modified from the earlier Karabiner 98b design and featured a shorter 600mm barrel and reduced weight. Over 9 million Karabiner 98k rifles were manufactured during the war.
Additionally, Germany issued the StG 44 Sturmgewehr, a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 7.92x33mm Kurz. The StG 44 was used by German paratroopers and other specialized units due to its compact size, reliability, and high-rate-of-fire capabilities.
- Other Small Arms:
- Volksgewehr G98k: A simple, bolt-action rifle adopted for civilian use in late 1944.
- MP 18: A 9mm Submachine Gun used by airborne troops and other specialized units.
- Bergmann MP 34: A 9mm Submachine Gun used by German police and military.
Machine Guns
German machine guns played a vital role in supporting infantry, providing suppressive fire to pin down enemy positions and clear buildings. Some of the most notable machine guns used by Germany during WW2 include:
- MG 34: A general-purpose machine gun fed by a 50-round belt, chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser.
- MG 42: A more advanced and widely used machine gun compared to the MG 34, also chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser and fed by a 250-round belt.
- MG 81: An air-cooled, magazine-fed machine gun used as a heavy machine gun for anti-aircraft and general-purpose use.
Artillery
Germany’s artillery capability was extensive, with field guns, howitzers, and anti-tank cannons used to support ground units and provide indirect fire on enemy positions. Some key artillery pieces used by Germany during WW2 include:
- 7.7 cm Feldkanone 16: A field gun used for direct fire on enemy positions.
- 10.5 cm Leichtfeldhaubitze 18: A field howitzer used for medium-range indirect fire.
- 15 cm sIG 33: A recoilless rifle used for assaulting fortifications and providing point-blank fire.
- 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37: An anti-aircraft gun used as a dual-purpose weapon against both aircraft and ground targets.
- PaK 36: A 3.7 cm anti-tank gun used for engaging lightly armored vehicles and fortifications.
Tank Cannons
Germany’s tank arsenals featured a range of cannons, from the iconic KwK 37 (3.7 cm) to the more powerful KwK 40 and KwK 43 (7.5 cm) used by the Tiger I and Panzer IV tanks. Later in the war, German tanks were equipped with increasingly powerful cannons, such as the KwK 88 (8.8 cm) on the Tiger II and King Tiger tanks.
Amphibious and Shipborne Guns
Germany employed various guns on amphibious and shipborne platforms:
- Flakpanzer IV: A towed anti-aircraft cannon mounted on a Panzer IV tank chassis.
- Schnellboot: A fast, light torpedo boat equipped with the 2 cm FlaKa 30 anti-aircraft gun.
- U-boat: German U-boats were equipped with the 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft gun and Schnorkel breathing system.
Conclusion
Germany’s arsenal during WW2 was diverse and effectively utilized on the battlefield. From the Karabiner 98k rifle to the 8.8 cm Flak 18 anti-aircraft gun, these weapons played a significant role in shaping the course of the war. Understanding Germany’s firearms and artillery enables us to better comprehend their military strategy and tactics.
Table: German Rifle and Machine Gun Calibers
Caliber | Description |
---|---|
7.92x33mm Kurz | Used by StG 44 Assault Rifle |
9mm Parabellum | Used by MP 18 and Bergmann MP 34 Submachine Guns |
7.92x57mm Mauser | Used by Karabiner 98k Rifles and MG 34/42 Machine Guns |
8.8 cm | Used by FlaK 18/36/37 Anti-Aircraft Guns |
Table: German Artillery Pieces
Piece | Caliber | Description |
---|---|---|
7.7 cm Feldkanone 16 | 7.7 cm | Field gun for direct fire |
10.5 cm Leichtfeldhaubitze 18 | 10.5 cm | Field howitzer for medium-range indirect fire |
15 cm sIG 33 | 15 cm | Recoilless rifle for assaulting fortifications |
8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37 | 8.8 cm | Anti-aircraft gun for dual-purpose use |
PaK 36 | 3.7 cm | Anti-tank gun for engaging lightly armored vehicles |
Table: German Tank Cannons
Piece | Caliber | Description |
---|---|---|
KwK 37 | 3.7 cm | Used by older German tanks |
KwK 40 | 7.5 cm | Used by Panzer III and IV tanks |
KwK 43 | 7.5 cm | Used by Tiger I and Panzer IV tanks |
KwK 88 | 8.8 cm | Used by Tiger II and King Tiger tanks |
Note: The table and bullet points are highlighted to provide a clear outline of the various German weapons used during WW2.