From Bayonet to Heavy Artillery

 
This illustration from Tactical and Technical Trends shows the primary weapons of the WWII German infantry division according to range — from the lowly bayonet (15½ in.) to the divisional artillery (20,000 yds.)
Weapons of the German Infantry Division

Weapons of the German Infantry Division (click to enlarge)

WEAPONS OF THE GERMAN INFANTRY DIVISION
Based on a sketch prepared by the Military Intelligence Training Center, Camp Ritchie, Maryland

LEGEND:

1: SEITENGEWEHR (BAYONET) 

  • Length – 15 1/2
  • Carried by all riflemen

2: HANDGRANATE (HAND GRENADE)

  • Delay Fuse – 4 1/2 sec
  • Danger Radius – 20 yds
  • Variable number per rifleman

3: PISTOLE (PISTOL)

  • Cal – .35
  • Semi-Automatic
  • Carried by personnel who do not carry rifle or submachine gun

4: MASCHINENPISTOLE (SUB MACHINE GUN)

  • Cal – .35 – Automatic
  • Eff Range – to 200 yds
  • Used by small unit leaders and company commander

5: GEWEHR 98K (RIFLE)

  • Cal – .31
  • Eff Range – 400 yds
  • Six per squad

6: LEICHTES MASCHINENGEWEHR 34 (LIGHT MACHINE GUN)

  • Cal – .31
  • Eff Range – 800 yds
  • Rate of Fire – 100/150 rpm
  • One per squad
  • (Model 42 now being manufactured)

7: LEICHTER GRANATWERFER (50-mm MORTAR)

  • Eff Range – 350 yds
  • Rate of Fire – 6 rds in 9 sec
  • Danger Radius – 25 yds
  • One per platoon

8: PANZERBUCHSE 39 (AT RIFLE)

  • Cal – .31
  • Eff Range – 200 yds
  • Rate of Fire – 6/8 rpm
  • Three per rifle company

9: SCHWERES MASCHINENGEWEHR 34 (HEAVY MACHINE GUN)

  • Cal – .31
  • Eff Range – 1,500 yds
  • Rate of Fire – 350 rpm
  • Twelve per MG Co
  • (Same as LMG except for mount)

10: SCHWERER GRANATWERFER (81-mm MORTAR)

  • Eff Range – 1,200 yds
  • Rate of Fire – 20/25 rpm
  • Danger Radius 35 yds
  • Six per MG Company

11: 3.7 cm PAK (37-mm AT GUN)

  • Eff Range – 800 yds
  • Rate of Fire – 15 rpm
  • Twelve per AT Co in Infantry Regiment

12: 5 cm PAK (50-mm AT GUN)

  • Eff Range – 1,000 yds
  • Rate of Fire – 16 rpm
  • Eighteen per AT
  • Battalion in Infantry Division

13: 7.5 cm LEICHTES INF GESCHUTZ (75-mm INF HOWITZER)

  • Max Range – 3,900 yds
  • Rate of Fire – 10/20 rpm
  • Six per Howitzer Company in Infantry Regiment

14: 15 cm SCHWERES INF GESCHUTZ (150-mm INF HOWITZER)

  • Max Range – 6,000 yds
  • Rate of Fire – 5 rpm
  • Two per Howitzer Company in Infantry Regiment

15: 10.5 cm LEICHTE FELDHAUBITZE (105-mm GUN HOWITZER)

  • Max Range – 12,000 yds
  • Twelve per light battalion in Division Artillery

16: 15 cm SCHWERE FELDHAUBITZE (150-mm HOWITZER)

  • Max Range – 10,500 yds
  • Eight per medium battalion in Division Artillery

17: 10 cm KANONE (105-mm GUN)

  • Max Range – 20,000 yds
  • Four per medium battalion in Division Artillery
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4 Responses to From Bayonet to Heavy Artillery

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  2. Reader says:

    Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed the report.

  3. Hannover says:

    Nice blog, bookmarked!

  4. LMM says:

    great image, cheers — interesting how we saw the other side of the hill

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