Military history, weapons, old and military maps. Small arms soldiers of the Wehrmacht German weapons world 2

Until now, many believe that the mass weapon of the German infantry during the Great Patriotic War was the Schmeisser submachine gun, named after its designer. This myth is still actively supported by feature films. But in fact, it was not Schmeisser who created this machine gun at all, and he also never was a mass weapon of the Wehrmacht.

I think everyone remembers the shots from Soviet feature films about the Great Patriotic War, dedicated to the attacks of German soldiers on our positions. Brave and fit "blond beasts" (they were usually played by actors from the Baltic States) walk, almost without bending down, and fire on the move from machine guns (or rather, from submachine guns), which everyone called "Schmeisser".

And, what is most interesting, no one at all, perhaps, except for those who really were at war, was not surprised by the fact that the Wehrmacht soldiers fired, as they say, "from the hip." Also, no one considered it fiction that, according to the movies, these "Schmeissers" accurately fired at the same distance as the rifles of the soldiers of the Soviet army. In addition, after watching such films, the viewer had the impression that the entire personnel of the German infantry, from privates to colonels, were armed with submachine guns during the Second World War.

However, all this is nothing more than a myth. In fact, this weapon was not called "Schmeisser" at all, and it was not as common in the Wehrmacht as Soviet films told about it, and it was impossible to shoot from it "from the hip". In addition, the attack of a unit of such submachine gunners on trenches in which fighters armed with magazine rifles were sitting was an obvious suicide - simply no one would have reached the trench. However, let's talk about everything in order.

The very weapon that I want to talk about today was officially called the MP 40 submachine gun (MP is an abbreviation for the word " Maschinenpistole", that is, an automatic pistol). It was another modification of the MP 36 assault rifle, created back in the 30s of the last century. The predecessors of this weapon, the MP 38 and MP 38/40 submachine guns, proved themselves very well at the very first stage of the Second World War II, so the military experts of the Third Reich decided to continue improving this model.

The "parent" of the MP 40, contrary to popular belief, was not the famous German gunsmith Hugo Schmeisser, but the less talented designer Heinrich Volmer. So it’s more logical to call these automata “volmers”, and not “Schmeissers” at all. But why did the people adopt the second name? Probably due to the fact that Schmeisser owned a patent for the store used in this weapon. And, accordingly, in order to respect copyrights, the inscription PATENT SCHMEISSER flaunted on the receiver of the stores of the first batches of MP 40. Well, the soldiers of the Allied armies, who received this weapon as a trophy, mistakenly believed that Schmeisser was the creator of this machine gun.

From the very beginning, the German command planned to equip the MP 40 only with the command staff of the Wehrmacht. In infantry units, for example, only commanders of squads, companies and battalions should have had these machine guns. Subsequently, these submachine guns also became popular among tankers, armored vehicle drivers and paratroopers. However, no one armed the infantry with them either in 1941 or after.

Hugo Schmeisser

According to the archives of the German army, in 1941, immediately before the attack on the USSR, there were only 250 thousand MP 40 units in the troops (despite the fact that at the same time there were 7,234,000 people in the troops of the Third Reich). As you can see, there was no question of any massive use of the MP 40, especially in the infantry units (where there were the most soldiers). For the entire period from 1940 to 1945, only two million of these submachine guns were produced (whereas over 21 million people were called up in the Wehrmacht during the same period).

Why didn't the Germans equip their foot soldiers with this machine gun (which was later recognized as one of the best in the entire period of the Second World War)? Yes, because they were simply sorry to lose them. After all, the effective range of the MP 40 for group targets was 150 meters, and for single targets - only 70 meters. But the Wehrmacht soldiers had to attack the trenches in which the soldiers of the Soviet Army were sitting, armed with modified versions of the Mosin rifle and Tokarev automatic rifles (SVT).

The effective range of fire from both types of these weapons was 400 meters for single targets and 800 meters for group ones. So judge for yourself, did the Germans have a chance to survive such attacks if they were, as in Soviet movies, armed with MP 40? That's right, no one would have reached the trenches. In addition, unlike the characters of the same films, the real owners of the submachine gun could not shoot from it on the move "from the hip" - the weapon vibrated so strongly that with this method of firing all the bullets flew past the target.

It was possible to shoot from the MP 40 only "from the shoulder", resting the unfolded butt on it - then the weapon practically did not "shake". In addition, these submachine guns were never fired in long bursts - it heated up very quickly. Usually they hit in short bursts of three or four shots, or fired single shots. So in reality, MP 40 owners never managed to achieve a technical passport rate of fire of 450-500 rounds per minute.

That is why German soldiers attacked throughout the war with Mauser 98k rifles - the most common small arms of the Wehrmacht. Its sighting range for group targets was 700 meters, and for single targets - 500, that is, it was close to those of the Mosin and SVT rifles. By the way, the SVT was highly respected by the Germans - the best infantry units were armed with captured Tokarev rifles (the Waffen SS especially loved it). And the "captured" Mosin rifles were given to rear guard units (however, they were generally supplied with all sorts of "international" junk, albeit of very high quality).

At the same time, it cannot be said that the MP 40 was so bad - on the contrary, in close combat this weapon was very, very dangerous. That is why German paratroopers from sabotage groups, as well as intelligence officers of the Soviet Army and ... partisans, fell in love with him. After all, they did not need to attack enemy positions from a long distance - and in close combat, the rate of fire, light weight and reliability of this submachine gun gave great advantages. That is why now on the "black" market the price of the MP 40, which the "black diggers" continue to supply there, is very high - this machine is in demand among the "fighters" of criminal groups and even poachers.

By the way, it was precisely the fact that the MP 40 was used by German saboteurs that gave rise to a mental phenomenon in the Red Army in 1941, called "automatic fear". Our fighters considered the Germans invincible because they were armed with miraculous machine guns, from which there was no escape. This myth could not have arisen among those who faced the Germans in open battle - after all, the soldiers saw that they were being attacked by the Nazis with rifles. However, at the beginning of the war, our fighters, retreating, more often encountered not line troops, but saboteurs who appeared out of nowhere and poured MP 40 bursts at the dumbfounded Red Army soldiers.

It should be noted that after the battle of Smolensk, "automatic fear" began to fade away, and during the battle for Moscow it disappeared almost completely. By that time, our fighters, having had a good time to "sit" on the defensive and even gain experience in counterattacking German positions, realized that the German infantrymen did not have any miracle weapons, and their rifles were not much different from domestic ones. It is also interesting that in feature films shot in the 40s and 50s of the last century, the Germans are completely armed with rifles. And "Schmeisseromania" in Russian cinema began much later - from the 60s.

Unfortunately, it continues to this day - even in recent films, German soldiers traditionally attack Russian positions, firing MP 40s on the move. Directors also equip soldiers of the rear security units and even field gendarmerie with these machine guns (where automatic weapons were not issued even to officers ). As you can see, the myth turned out to be very, very tenacious.

However, the famous Hugo Schmeisser was actually the developer of two models of machine guns used in World War II. He introduced the first of them, the MP 41, almost simultaneously with the MP 40. But this machine gun even outwardly differed from the "Schmeisser" familiar to us from the films - for example, its bed was trimmed with wood (so that the fighter would not get burned when the weapon was heated). In addition, it was longer and heavier. However, this version was not widely used and was not produced for long - in total, about 26 thousand pieces were produced.

It is believed that the implementation of this machine was prevented by a lawsuit from ERMA, filed against Schmeisser regarding illegal copying of its patented design. The reputation of the designer was thereby tarnished, and the Wehrmacht abandoned his weapons. However, in parts of the Waffen SS, mountain rangers and Gestapo units, this machine gun was still used - but, again, only officers.

However, Schmeisser still did not give up and in 1943 he developed a model called MP 43, which was later called StG-44 (from s turmgewehr- assault rifle). In its appearance and some other characteristics, it resembled the Kalashnikov assault rifle that appeared much later (by the way, the StG-44 provided for the possibility of installing a 30-mm rifle grenade launcher), and at the same time it was very different from the MP 40.

The Second World War is a significant and difficult period in the history of mankind. Countries merged in a crazy fight, throwing millions of human lives on the altar of victory. At that time, weapons manufacturing became the main type of production, which was given great importance and attention. However, as they say, a man forges victory, and weapons only help him in this. We decided to show the weapons of the Soviet troops and the Wehrmacht, having collected the most common and famous types of small arms from the two countries.

Small arms of the USSR army:

The armament of the USSR before the start of the Great Patriotic War corresponded to the requirements of that time. The 7.62 mm Mosin repeating rifle of the 1891 model was the only instance of a non-automatic weapon. This rifle proved to be excellent in the Second World War and was in service with the Soviet army until the early 60s.

Mosin rifle of different years of release.

In parallel with the Mosin rifle, the Soviet infantry was equipped with Tokarev self-loading rifles: SVT-38 and the SVT-40 improved in 1940, as well as Simonov self-loading carbines (SKS).

Tokarev self-loading rifle (SVT).

Simonov self-loading carbine (SKS)

Simonov automatic rifles (ABC-36) were also present in the troops - at the beginning of the war, their number was almost 1.5 million units.

Simonov automatic rifle (ABC)

The presence of such a huge number of automatic and self-loading rifles covered the lack of submachine guns. Only at the beginning of 1941 did the production of the Shpagin software (PPSh-41) begin, which for a long time became the standard of reliability and simplicity.

Submachine gun Shpagin (PPSh-41).

Submachine gun Degtyarev.

In addition, the Soviet troops were armed with Degtyarev machine guns: Degtyarev infantry (DP); Machine gun Degtyarev (DS); Degtyarev tank (DT); heavy machine gun Degtyarev - Shpagin (DShK); Machine gun SG-43.

Degtyarev infantry machine gun (DP).

Heavy machine gun Degtyarev - Shpagin (DShK).

Machine gun SG-43

The best example of submachine guns during the Second World War was recognized as the Sudayev PPS-43 submachine gun.

Submachine gun Sudayev (PPS-43).

One of the main features of the armament of the infantry of the Soviet army at the beginning of the Second World War was the complete absence of anti-tank rifles. And this was reflected in the first days of hostilities. In July 1941, Simonov and Degtyarev, by order of the high command, designed a five-shot PTRS rifle (Simonov) and a single-shot PTRD (Degtyarev).

Simonov anti-tank rifle (PTRS).

Degtyarev anti-tank rifle (PTRD).

The TT pistol (Tulsky, Tokarev) was developed at the Tula Arms Plant by the legendary Russian gunsmith Fedor Tokarev. The development of a new self-loading pistol, designed to replace the regular obsolete Nagan revolver of the 1895 model, was launched in the second half of the 1920s.

Pistol TT.

Also, the Soviet soldiers were armed with pistols: a revolver of the Nagant system and a Korovin pistol.

Nagant revolver.

Pistol Korovin.

During the entire period of the Great Patriotic War, the military industry of the USSR produced more than 12 million carbines and rifles, more than 1.5 million of all types of machine guns, and more than 6 million submachine guns. Since 1942, almost 450 thousand heavy and light machine guns, 2 million submachine guns and more than 3 million self-loading and repeating rifles have been produced every year.

Small arms of the Wehrmacht army:

The fascist infantry divisions, as the main tactical troops, were armed with magazine rifles with 98 and 98k Mauser bayonets.

Mauser 98k.

Also in service with the German troops were the following rifles: FG-2; Gewehr 41; Gewehr 43; StG 44; StG 45(M); Volkssturmgewehr 1-5.

FG-2 rifle

Rifle Gewehr 41

Rifle Gewehr 43

Although the Treaty of Versailles for Germany provided for a ban on the production of submachine guns, German gunsmiths still continued to produce this type of weapon. Shortly after the formation of the Wehrmacht, the MP.38 submachine gun appeared in its appearance, which, due to the fact that it was distinguished by its small size, an open barrel without a forearm and a folding butt, quickly proved itself and was put into service back in 1938.

MP.38 submachine gun.

The experience accumulated in combat operations required the subsequent modernization of the MP.38. This is how the MP.40 submachine gun appeared, which was distinguished by a more simplified and cheaper design (in parallel, some changes were made to the MP.38, which later received the designation MP.38 / 40). Compactness, reliability, almost optimal rate of fire were justified advantages of this weapon. German soldiers called it "bullet pump".

MP.40 submachine gun.

The fighting on the Eastern Front showed that the submachine gun still needed to improve accuracy. This problem was taken up by the German designer Hugo Schmeisser, who equipped the MP.40 design with a wooden butt and a device for switching to a single fire. True, the release of such MP.41 was insignificant.

MP.41 submachine gun.

Also in service with the German troops were the following machine guns: MP-3008; MP18; MP28; MP35

The holiday of the Great Victory is approaching - the day when the Soviet people defeated the fascist infection. It is worth recognizing that the forces of the opponents at the beginning of World War II were unequal. The Wehrmacht is significantly superior to the Soviet army in armament. In support of this "ten" small arms soldiers of the Wehrmacht.

1 Mauser 98k

A German-made repeating rifle that entered service in 1935. In the Wehrmacht troops, this weapon was one of the most common and popular. In a number of parameters, the Mauser 98k was superior to the Soviet Mosin rifle. In particular, the Mauser weighed less, was shorter, had a more reliable shutter and a rate of fire of 15 rounds per minute, against 10 for the Mosin rifle. For all this, the German counterpart paid with a shorter firing range and weaker stopping power.

2. Luger pistol

This 9mm pistol was designed by Georg Luger back in 1900. Modern experts consider this pistol the best at the time of the Second World War. The design of the Luger was very reliable, it had an energy-efficient design, low accuracy of fire, high accuracy and rate of fire. The only significant defect of this weapon was the impossibility of closing the locking levers with the design, as a result of which the Luger could become clogged with dirt and stop firing.

3.MP 38/40

This Maschinenpistole, thanks to Soviet and Russian cinema, has become one of the symbols of the Nazi war machine. Reality, as always, is much less poetic. Popular in media culture, the MP 38/40 has never been the main small arms for most units of the Wehrmacht. They armed drivers, tank crews, detachments of special units, rear guard detachments, as well as junior officers of the ground forces. The German infantry was armed for the most part with the Mauser 98k. Only sometimes MP 38/40 in a certain amount as an "additional" weapon were transferred to assault squads.

4. FG-42

The German semi-automatic rifle FG-42 was designed for paratroopers. It is believed that the impetus for the creation of this rifle was Operation Mercury to capture the island of Crete. Due to the nature of the parachutes, the Wehrmacht troops carried only light weapons. All heavy and auxiliary weapons were landed separately in special containers. This approach caused heavy losses on the part of the landing force. The FG-42 rifle was a pretty good solution. I used cartridges of caliber 7.92 × 57 mm, which fit into 10-20 piece magazines.

5. MG 42

During the Second World War, Germany used many different machine guns, but it was the MG 42 that became one of the symbols of the aggressor in the yard with the MP 38/40 PP. This machine gun was created in 1942 and partially replaced the not very reliable MG 34. Despite the fact that the new machine gun was incredibly effective, it had two important drawbacks. First, MG 42 was very sensitive to contamination. Secondly, it had an expensive and labor-intensive production technology.

6. Gewehr 43

Before the outbreak of World War II, the Wehrmacht command was least interested in the possibility of using self-loading rifles. It was assumed that the infantry should be armed with conventional rifles, and for support, have light machine guns. Everything changed in 1941 with the outbreak of the war. The semi-automatic rifle Gewehr 43 is one of the best in its class, second only to the Soviet and American counterparts. In terms of its qualities, it is very similar to the domestic SVT-40. There was also a sniper version of this weapon.

7.StG44

The Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle was not the best weapon of the Second World War. It was heavy, absolutely uncomfortable, difficult to maintain. Despite all these shortcomings, the StG 44 was the first modern type of assault rifle. As you might guess from the name, it was already produced in 1944, and although this rifle could not save the Wehrmacht from defeat, it revolutionized the field of handguns.

8. Stielhandgranate

A safe but unreliable grenade.

Another "symbol" of the Wehrmacht. This hand-held anti-personnel grenade was widely used by German forces in World War II. It was a favorite trophy of the soldiers of the anti-Hitler coalition on all fronts, in view of its safety and convenience. At the time of the 40s of the XX century, the Stielhandgranate was almost the only grenade completely protected from arbitrary detonation. However, it also had a number of shortcomings. For example, these grenades could not be stored in a warehouse for a long time. They also often leaked, which led to wetting and deterioration of the explosive.

9. Faustpatrone

The first single-shot anti-tank grenade launcher in the history of mankind. In the Soviet army, the name "Faustpatron" was later assigned to all German anti-tank grenade launchers. The weapon was created in 1942 specifically "for" the Eastern Front. The thing is that the German soldiers at that time were completely deprived of the means of close combat with Soviet light and medium tanks.

10. PzB 38

The German Panzerbüchse Modell 1938 anti-tank rifle is one of the most obscure types of small arms from World War II. The thing is that it was discontinued already in 1942, as it turned out to be extremely ineffective against Soviet medium tanks. Nevertheless, this weapon is a confirmation that such guns were used not only in the Red Army.

German submachine gun Schmeiser MP 40

One of the first submachine guns of the modern type, the Wehrmacht's stereotypical weapon, the excellent German Schmeiser MP40 submachine gun was a thunderstorm for the then Allies and sowed death among the enemies of the Reich. The advanced technological base, high accuracy and ergonomics of the weapon made the MP40 the most important transitional link in the development of submachine guns in general.

Creation of Schmeiser

Schmeiser MP40 - the best weapon of the Third Reich?
Being intended primarily for landing and tank troops, the Schmeiser assault rifle differed from its competitors in the absence of a wooden stock, and the presence of the first, for that period of time, folding stock. This design provided ergonomics that were relevant for auxiliary and mobile troops, and therefore enjoyed high popularity among them. The MP40 shutter lever was on the left side, which did not allow the right-handed shooter to justify wearing the machine gun on his chest by hanging it by a belt around his neck.
The Schmeiser MP40 automation was based on the recoil of a free bolt, the braking of which was carried out thanks to a telescopic spring located behind it. It was through the introduction of this technology that the rate of fire of the German machine gun was reduced to 400 rounds per minute, thereby significantly increasing its accuracy. Using such weapons, an experienced shooter could effectively hit targets at a distance of up to 150 meters, which is a fairly high indicator for PP.

The flag fuse and the fire mode switch are absent. For safe carrying of weapons, the shutter lever can be installed in a safety groove that completely blocks its movement. For firing single shots, only a partial pull of the trigger is required.
Ammunition supply of the original model was carried out using box magazines with a capacity of 32 rounds, the design of the receiver for which was far ahead of its time. Schmeiser MP40 used 9x19 Parabellum cartridges as ammunition, which, given the low level of personal protection of that time, had incredible effectiveness at known distances.

As for the sights, in the MP40 they are represented by a fully adjustable 100 and 200 meters, respectively, and a ring front sight. Holding the machine while aiming is carried out by resting the butt on the right shoulder and guiding the grip with the left hand of the magazine receiver.
MP40 most famous predecessors and successors
Close-up
The first German assault rifle similar to the familiar Schmeiser was the 1938 model with the corresponding name MP38. Unlike competitors, he already had a well-known folding butt, a capacious magazine located in the lower part of the receiver, as well as a latch-lock that allows you to rest the weapon against the sides of the equipment, thereby increasing the accuracy of shooting.

A further development of the model was the sample MP38, which differs from its predecessor in somewhat better ergonomics and a more reliable method of manufacturing parts - milling. Despite the high cost, this approach was much more profitable than stamping due to the lack of a proper scientific and technological basis for the latter.
After the spread of the MP40 model at the front, the Germans were inspired by the success of the Soviet competitor of the PPSh, as a result of which the rare MP41 model was born. It was at this stage of production that the famous designer Hugo Schmeiser joined the submachine gun franchise. Having a real rifle stock in its arsenal, the new German machine gun could not boast of having a pistol grip, while ensuring high accuracy of fire. At the same time, it was possible to fire single shots in earlier models, and the 41st could not boast of any innovative innovations, which was the reason for its failure in the military market.

Analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of Schmeiser

.
With a number of strengths and weaknesses, Schmeiser is not much different from competitors. So, among the most significant of its shortcomings can be identified:
1. Insufficiently capacious store;
2. Low resistance to pollution, due to the abundance of deep grooves and small space between parts;
3. Extremely inconvenient maintenance, requiring time and tools;
4. Unusual placement of the shutter lever, which complicates the wearing and quick "vskid" of the machine;
5. Raw technology for fastening a folding butt, leading to loosening, and subsequent deterioration in the accuracy of fire.
6. The use of long and straight stores, greatly increasing the profile of the shooter when shooting prone.
At the same time, the absolute advantages of weapons include:
1. High accuracy when firing bursts at a distance of up to 100 m;
2. Excellent ergonomics guaranteeing comfort when shooting in confined spaces;
3. Low rate of fire for PP, which guarantees savings in ammunition;
4. The presence of revolutionary solutions in the design.

German assault rifle Schmeiser - development history and heritage.

Being developed by the German company ERMA as an effective and best weapon for landing and tank troops, the Schmeiser assault rifle had nothing to do with the designer of the same name. Only after the popularization of the 36th model in infantry circles, and the appearance of the popular MP40 model, Hugo Schmeiser was noted in the development of a concept called MP41. On the other hand, the patent for the design of magazines and magazine receivers of the machine belonged to him, which may be the reason for the appearance of the false name Schmeiser, to designate the ERMAMP36-40 software.

Also, contrary to the general misconception and the great regret of the Reich itself, the Schmeiser assault rifle was by no means the main weapon of the Wehrmacht. Before the end of the war, less than 100,000 units were produced, taking into account all models of the line, which in no way could cover the needs of the German military machine. Just as in the Soviet Union the main weapon of an infantryman was the good old three-ruler, the Mauser 98K carbine was listed as the basic weapon unit of the Reich. As a result, the image of a brave Aryan soldier with Schmeiser turned out to be no less false archetype than the image of a Red Army soldier with PPSh.
After the end of the Second World War, the German machine Schmeiser MP40 was used several times in a number of guerrilla wars, but over time it was replaced by more progressive counterparts. Fortunately, he himself gave a wide move to the latter.

The advantages of PP (rate of fire) and rifles (range of aimed and lethal fire) were designed to combine an automatic rifle. However, almost until the very end of World War II, none of the countries managed to create a successful mass weapon of this class. The Germans came closest to this.

At the end of 1944, the 7.92-mm Schmeisser assault rifle (Sturm-Gewehr-44) was adopted by the Wehrmacht. It was a further development of the assault rifles of 1942 and 1943, which successfully passed military tests, but were not put into service. One of the reasons for the delay in the mass production of such promising weapons was the same conservatism of the military headquarters, which, in connection with new weapons, did not want to make changes to the established staffing tables of army units.

Only in 1944, when the overwhelming fire superiority of both the Soviet and the Anglo-American infantry over the German one, did the “ice break” and the StG-44 was put into mass production. However, the factories of the weakened Third Reich managed to produce only a little more than 450 thousand units of this AB before the end of the war. She never became the main weapon of the German infantry.

There is no need to describe the StG-44 for a long time, because all its main characteristics, design solutions and design were embodied after the war in the Soviet Kalashnikov assault rifle of the 1947 model. The main differences between the AK-47 and the German prototype are associated only with the caliber of the cartridge: the standard 7.62 mm Soviet instead of the 7.92 mm German.