The FG-42 Rifle, The German Paratroopers Rifle,The FG-42 42 was arguably one of the best smalls arm

The FG-42 Rifle, The German Paratroopers Rifle,The FG-42 42 was arguably one of the best smalls arm that was produced by Germany during World War II.   It was called theFallschirmjager Gewehr(paratroopers rifle) because during the later half of the war it was the main battle rifle issued to Germany’s elite paratrooper units. During World War II it was standard German Army protocol for paratroopers to jump only with pistols.  All of the weapons would be dropped separately in crates, and the paratroopers would retrieve them once they hit the ground.  This method had its advantages but left the paratroopers especially vulnerable if they landed in a hot drop zone. In 1942 that is exactly what happened when many airborne German units were dropped right on top of British positions.  In one case a battalion of 600 men lost 400, while another battalion was noted as having only a dozen survivors out of 126.  It was clear that change was needed.  As a result it was decided that a light and compact paratrooper rifle should be created. And what a rifle it was, the FG-42 was an automatic rifle that was chambered for the 8x57 Mauser cartridge and used 10 and 20 side mounted detachable magazines.  It could fire in semi-auto or full auto mode, and despite using a high power rifle cartridge was surprisingly controllable.  It used a gas operated rotating bolt, but one incredible feature of its action was that it fired from a closed bolt when used as a semi-automatic rifle, but when switched to automatic it fired from an open bolt improving feeding.  One feature that made in incredible difference, perhaps more than anything, was that many were mounted with a small scope.  If you look at modern western military’s today you will notice that almost all of their rifles and carbines are have some form of optics.  This was an incredible for German paratroopers, whereas 99.9% of their foes were forced to make due with traditional iron sights.The first use of the FG-42 was during a daring paratrooper raid to rescue Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini in 1943, who was being detained by Allied forces.  The mission was a success and was a much touted propaganda victory as well.  By the time of Allied landing in Normandy, they were being issued to troops on the front line.  Despite the rifle’s success, the greatest rifle of the Third Reich would only be reserved for the greatest soldiers.  The FG-42 proved to be a difficult rifle to mass produce, especially while being bombed 24/7 by Allied air forces.  However, the greatest detriment to FG-42 production was der Fuhrer Adolf Hitler himself.  Hitler was not interested in developing and producing new small arms.  His priorities were the development of new heavy offensive weapons such as heavy tanks, jets, and rockets.  As a result resources we used to create groundbreaking but impractical “wonder weapons” at the expense of the backbone of his army, the infantry.  Throughout the war the vast majority of his foot-soldiers were armed with bolt action Mauser rifles.  Unfortunately for the average grunt, to the west his American counterparts were issued mass produced Garand semi automatic rifles while the British used fast shooting Lee Enfield bolt action rifles.  To the east he faced a gigantic hoard of pissed off Russians who were willing to kill Nazi’s with rocks if necessary.  The Germans didn’t stand a chance. -- source link

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