Weapons of the Second World War: Panzerfaust and Jagdpanther anti-tank grenade launchers

Panzerfaust anti-tank grenade launcher

Panzerfaust or "armored fist" is an anti-tank grenade launcher. In 1942, a prototype of this weapon was created, called the faustpatron, with a shaped warhead loaded with a powder charge and placed on a short tube. At the turn of 1942 and 1943, the final version of this weapon was created with minor modifications. A longer tubular launcher was changed, a rocket launcher and a sight were installed. In 1943, the first Panzerfaust models came to the fore. There were 30 of them. They differed only in the caliber of the warhead and the ability to pump. The following models, the Panzerfaust 60, introduced in September 1944, the Panzerfaust 100 in November 1944, and the Panzerfaust 150, introduced in March 1945, differed in caliber and propellant charge size, and its design and mechanism remained unchanged. The model 250 remained a prototype and, due to the end of the war, never entered mass production. The shell of the panzerfaust had a wooden handle with soft metal ailerons, which had to be wrapped around the shaft before loading. Then a movable sight was installed and the trigger was pulled. When hit at an angle of 30 degrees, it penetrated almost any armor. The production and shipping of all versions of Panzerfaust numbered in the millions. However, the Panzerfaust 60 version was produced the most. This weapon has proven itself on many battlefields. During the final battle for Berlin, she was the main threat to Soviet tanks. Therefore, spring mattresses from beds were attached to armored vehicles to weaken its effect. It was also used by Berliners from the Volkssturm and Hitler Youth troops.

Jagdpanther (SDKFZ 173)

German technicians have been conducting research on the creation of a tank destroyer almost since the beginning of World War II. What accelerated the work and made Jadpanther the foundation? The answer is simple. Costs and losses on the fronts. It was cheaper to make a tank destroyer than to build a tank. The Jadpanther was built on the basis of the Pzkpfw V tank, that is, the Panther tank. The first manufacturer was the Krupa arms factory in Essen. Since January 1943, production has been transferred to Daimler-Benz plants. The fate of this machine was decided by the bombing of Allied aircraft, as a result of which the industrial enterprises that produced these machines were destroyed. Despite this, the Jadpanther is considered one of the best tank destroyers in history. A total of 380 to 425 copies of this machine were built. The history of this car does not end with the end of the war. These vehicles, captured by the armies of the Allied countries, served as models for the next generations of Allied tank destroyers. Beyond the initial sports welcome bonus, your first deposit amplified by the 1xbet promo code today can also trigger free spins in the casino section. Often, a qualifying deposit of just $10 or more can grant you access to a package of up to 150 free spins on popular slot games like "Book of Dead" or "Fire Joker." These spins provide an opportunity to win real money without risking your own deposited funds, allowing you to experience the casino's offerings immediately after joining.