What Were Weapons Used in WW2?
World War II was one of the most devastating conflicts in human history, with an estimated 50-80 million fatalities. The war saw the use of a wide range of weapons, from small arms and explosives to heavy artillery and advanced technology. In this article, we will explore the various weapons used during World War II.
Small Arms
Small arms were a crucial part of any army’s arsenal during World War II. Rifles, machine guns, pistols, and submachine guns were used by infantry units to engage enemy forces at close range.
- Rifles: The Mosin-Nagant, used by the Soviet Union, was a bolt-action rifle that fired a 7.62mm cartridge. The Mauser Kar 98k, used by Germany, was also a bolt-action rifle that fired an 8mm cartridge.
- Machine Guns: The Maxim machine gun, used by the British and French, was a belt-fed, water-cooled machine gun that fired a.303 cartridge. The M1919 Browning machine gun, used by the United States, was also a belt-fed, air-cooled machine gun that fired a.30 caliber cartridge.
- Submachine Guns: The Thompson submachine gun, used by the United States, was a compact, air-cooled machine gun that fired a.45 caliber cartridge. The MP 40, used by Germany, was a select-fire, air-cooled submachine gun that fired a 9mm cartridge.
Hand Grenades and Explosives
Hand grenades and explosives were used by all armies during World War II to clear buildings, create smoke screens, and demolish enemy fortifications.
- Hand Grenades: The M1938 fragmentation grenade, used by the Soviet Union, was a throwaway grenade that exploded with a burst of shrapnel. The M1919A1 fragmentation grenade, used by the United States, was similar to the Soviet grenade.
- Explosives: TNT (trinitrotoluene) was widely used during World War II to blow up enemy fortifications and buildings. The Germans also used a type of explosive called RDX (cyclotrimethylene trinitramine) in their bombs and shells.
Artillery and Mortars
Artillery and mortars were used by all armies during World War II to deliver heavy firepower against enemy positions.
- Field Artillery: The 88 mm Flak 36, used by Germany, was a high-velocity field gun that fired a shell weighing over 30 pounds. The 122 mm M1938 howitzer, used by the Soviet Union, was a mobile howitzer that fired a shell weighing over 100 pounds.
- Mortars: The 60 mm M2 mortar, used by the United States, was a light mortar that fired a shell weighing around 6 pounds. The 82 mm M1943 mortar, used by the Soviet Union, was a medium mortar that fired a shell weighing around 10 pounds.
Tanks and Assault Vehicles
Tanks and assault vehicles were used by all armies during World War II to break through enemy lines and provide close-range support.
- Tanks: The M4 Sherman, used by the United States, was a medium tank that was widely used during World War II. The T-34, used by the Soviet Union, was a medium tank that was known for its speed and firepower.
- Assault Vehicles: The Half-track, used by the United States and Germany, was a tracked vehicle that was used to transport infantry units and provide close-range support. The AMTRAC, used by the United States, was a tracked vehicle that was used to transport troops and supplies across water.
Anti-Tank Weapons
Anti-tank weapons were used by all armies during World War II to engage and destroy enemy tanks.
- Rifles: The Anti-Tank Rifle, used by the British and Soviet Union, was a specialized rifle that fired a heavy, armor-piercing cartridge. The Karabiner 98k anti-tank rifle, used by Germany, was also a specialized rifle that fired a heavy, armor-piercing cartridge.
- Grenades: The M18 smoke grenade, used by the United States, was a grenade that was designed to create a smoke screen to protect friendly tanks. The No. 74 grenade, used by the British, was a grenade that was designed to explode under the tracks of enemy tanks.
Anti-Aircraft Weapons
Anti-aircraft weapons were used by all armies during World War II to engage and destroy enemy aircraft.
- Machine Guns: The Browning M1919 machine gun, used by the United States, was a belt-fed, air-cooled machine gun that fired a.30 caliber cartridge. The BESA machine gun, used by the British, was also a belt-fed, air-cooled machine gun that fired a.303 cartridge.
- Flak Cannons: The 88 mm Flak 36, used by Germany, was a high-velocity anti-aircraft cannon that fired a shell weighing over 30 pounds. The 76 mm ZIS-3 anti-aircraft gun, used by the Soviet Union, was also a high-velocity anti-aircraft gun that fired a shell weighing around 20 pounds.
Bombs and Shells
Bombs and shells were used by all armies during World War II to deliver high explosives against enemy positions.
- Incendiary Bombs: The M47 incendiary bomb, used by the United States, was a bomb that was designed to start fires on enemy targets. The Gelbrand, used by Germany, was a type of incendiary bomb that was designed to create a large fire on enemy targets.
- Hollow-Charge Shells: The Grobner shell, used by Germany, was a hollow-charge shell that was designed to penetrate heavy armor. The High-Density Armor-Piercing (HDAP) shell, used by the Soviet Union, was also a hollow-charge shell that was designed to penetrate heavy armor.
Summary
World War II was a conflict that saw the use of a wide range of weapons, from small arms and explosives to heavy artillery and advanced technology. The weapons used during the war were often designed to inflict maximum damage and were a key factor in the outcome of battles and campaigns.
