Submachine Gunner

From Battleground Europe Wiki

British

British submachine gunner

Type: Thompson M1928 SMG
Caliber: .45 inch ACP
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Rate of Fire: 700 rpm
Muzzle Velocity: 280 m/s
Included weapons: 1 x Webley .455 cal. revolver
4 x No.36M HE Grenades
2 x No.77 Mk. I Smoke Grenades
1 x Combat Knife

Popularized by American gangsters from its introduction in 1919, the M1928 was a militarized version equipped with the then-novel Cutts Compensator to reduce muzzle climb. The M1928 fired a powerful .45 round which could be effective out to around 100 yards.

Although heavy for an infantry weapon, it was well-balanced and easy to aim. The Thompson was a distinctive weapon which was used worldwide throughout the 40s, 50s, and even well into the 1960s.

French

French submachine gunner

Type: PM MAS 38 SMG
Caliber 7.65 mm Fr.Service
Magazine Capacity: 32 rounds
Rate of Fire: 600 rpm
Muzzle Velocity: 350 m/s
Included weapons: 1 x PA 35S automatic pistol
4 x Grenade OF
2 x Grenade Fumigène (Smoke Grenade)
1 x Combat Knife

The MAS.38 was a technically advanced and accurate weapon with novel features such as a recoil mechanism which actually tracked through a tube bored into the stock (thus the oddly bent look to the weapon). Its quality couldn't compensate for the sub-par 7.65mm pistol round it fired, which gave it a reputation for ineffectiveness on the battlefield.

German

German submachine gunner

Type: MP 40 SMG
Caliber: 9 mm Parabellum
Magazine Capacity: 32 rounds
Rate of Fire: 400-500 rpm
Muzzle Velocity: 390 m/s
Included weapons:

• 1 x Luger P08 automatic pistol
  
• 4 x StiG.24 HE Grenades
  
• 2 x Nb.Hgn.39 Smoke Grenades
  
• 1 x Combat Knife
  

The MP38 (and the slightly refined version, the MP40) weapon was an extremely successful weapon. Easy and cheap to produce, troops liked it because of its durability and effectiveness. In fact, it was fitted with a rate reducer that limited the rate of fire to a controllable level.

The MP40 was employed by all manner of troops, but was particularly popular units that were expected to engage in very close-range combat.