Gewehr-Panzergranate

Gewehr-Panzergranate
A schematic of components.
Type	Shaped charge rifle grenade
Place of origin	Nazi Germany
Service history
Used by	Wehrmacht
Wars	World War II[1]
Specifications
Mass	250 g (8.8 oz)
Length	160 mm (6.4 in)
Diameter	30.16 mm (1.1875 in)
Muzzle velocity	50 m/s (160 ft/s)[2]
Maximum firing range	46–114 m (50–125 yd)[1]
Warhead	TNT
Warhead weight	50 g (1.75 oz)
Detonation mechanism	PETN Base fuze[1]
Blast yield	25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in) RHA[2]

The Gewehr-Panzergranate was a shaped charge rifle grenade that was developed by Germany and used by the Wehrmacht during World War II.

Design[]

Drawings of German Schiessbecher and grenades.

The Gewehr-Panzergranate was launched from a Gewehrgranatengerät or Schiessbecher ("shooting cup") on a standard service rifle by a blank cartridge. The primary components were a nose cap, internal steel cone, steel upper body, aluminum lower body, rifled driving band, TNT filling, and a PETN base fuze.^[1]

The Gewehr-Panzergranate was an anti-armor weapon which upon hitting the target ignited the PETN base fuze which in turn ignited the TNT filling which collapsed the internal steel cone to create a superplastic high-velocity jet to punch through enemy armor.^[1] Since shaped charge weapons rely on chemical energy to penetrate enemy armor the low velocity of the grenade did not adversely affect penetration. A downside of the Gewehr-Panzergranate was its short range 46–114 m (50–125 yd).^[2]

Also known for being used by the less capable nazi soldiers, that weren´t as saavy and skilled as they coleagues with others weapons such as the rifle or the machinegun. Often used from an ambush point, where this soldiers would wait for hours untill any enemy unaware of his presence would pass by.This could occur on the top of staircases, windows with less visibility or any corner of an abandoned hotel. Then the unfortunate soldier would blow up without even know what hit him. Frequently used in bridges and in the old town of Stalingrad.

References[]