In early beginning of World War II, the Germans used the deadly and effective “Hitler’s Buzzsaw” other wise known as the MG-42 machine gun.The chain-fed light machine gun could pump out 900-1500 per minute of 7.92x57mm Mauser rounds.
Posted on 06/28/2018 5:49:29 AM PDT by w1n1
In early beginning of World War II, the Germans used the deadly and effective “Hitler’s Buzzsaw” other wise known as the MG-42 machine gun.
The chain-fed light machine gun could pump out 900-1500 per minute of 7.92x57mm Mauser rounds.
The sound of the MG-42 was different and when faced against it, you were outgunned.
The good news for the allies was that to have it manufactured was very expensive and time consuming for the Germans.
So the Germans comes out with the MG-34 machine gun.
This firearm was cheaper and quicker to manufacture and put out to the troops.
However, the firing rate was reduced to 800-900 rounds per minute. This weapon was reliable, so it became the general-purpose machine gun of choice for the German Army.
Germany continued to field the MG-42s right alongside the MG-34s.
Soldiers use the machine gun as support weapons to keep Allies heads down while their forces manuevers, very similar to our Squad Automatic gunner of today.
Regular troops carried Mauser rifles and MP40-style submachine guns. See the full footage of German MG-42 and MG-34 here.
Did the German infantry have a semi-automatic rifle similar to the M1?
My understanding was the K98k was the standard issue for infantry.
IIRC the average infantryman had a machine gun.
The MG 34 came first dummkopf.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_34
“chain-fed”?
—ditto—( and firing an MG-42 is great fun but you sure can’t trip off single shots)
I guess this pretty much explains why the front line soldier had a 98K and 5 rounds of ammo on the eastern front. The damn MG’s used up all their ammo. High cyclic rate means someone has to carry all those ammo cans.
Basic investigation and common sense is asking a lot.
The MG34 was first. The MG42 came out during the war and was the simpler, cheaper option.
Schultz!!!!!
Think the author has it backwards about the two weapons.
The 42 qas the cheaper weapon with stamped parts.
My daddy carried a BAR when he landed at Normandy and he
would mention that bad boy MG42 with a shudder.It scared
the hell out of everyone.Not to mention what would happen
if it caught you.
NCOs had a choice of weapons. Most chose the mp 40 Schmeisser
The Germans built their infantry squads around the machine gun. Those carrying rifles had a primary responsibility of supporting and defending the machine gun.
The author of the article got everything bassackwards.The MG 34 was made of machined steel parts so it was heavier and more expensive to purchase.
The MG 42 was made from stamped metal parts so it was made much more easily as a result it was also cheaper.
It was belt fed with metalic linked cartridges.Something all of our belt fed weapons adopted with the M60 machine gun of the Vietnam war era.
Engrish second ranguage.
Chain Feed...
I had a girl Friend like that.
This website is DREADFUL and should be banned by FR.
Their stories are “written” by someone who doesn’t speak English, and the “facts” are so wrong they are laughable.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.