Fallschirmjägergewehr 42

Fallschirmjägergewehr 42
Specifications
Type	automatic Rifle
Caliber	7.92mm
Feed System	20 Round Box
Muzzle Velocity	761m/s
Maximum Effective Range	600m

History

The Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 (FG42) began after the fiasco of invasion of Crete. German Fallschirmjäger harness meant that the troops dropped without a main weapon. The Harness forced them to land on their hands and feet. This awkward landing position meant that when they jumped they where only armed with a sidearm and knife. Once they landed the Fallschirmjäger would have quickly to find a dropped supply canister and arm themselves with a main battle weapon. This of course in a contested drop zone led to massive casualties. Realising that the troopers needed a weapon they could jump with the Luftwaffe set about developing a light weight full automatic rifle. The result was the FG42. It combined the characteristics and firepower of a light machine gun in a lightweight form slightly shorter (but considerably bulkier and heavier) than the standard-issue Karabiner 98k bolt-action infantry rifle. The FG42 made it combat debut in 1943 and it was considered one of the most advanced weapon designs of World War II. However since it was intended for niche role it saw limited production with around 7000 manufactured.

See Also

Infantry Weapons of Battleground Europe American Weapons Boys Anti-Tank Rifle ·Browning M1919A6 . BAR · M1903 Springfield · M1 Garand ·M1 carbine ·M1A1 Thompson · M3A1 Grease Gun · Mk 2 Fragmentation_Grenade · M8 Smoke Grenade · LG 50 mm mortar · M1911 Colt · M9 Bazooka British Weapons Boys Anti-Tank Rifle · Bren Mk II LMG · Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk I · M1928 Thompson · sten Mk II · No.36 Mills Bomb · No.77 Smoke Grenade · 2 inch mortar · Webley Pistol · PIAT French Weapons Boys Anti-Tank Rifle · FM 1924/29 LMG · Fusil MAS mle 1936 · Fusil MAS mle 1940 · Fusil mle 1886 M93 "Lebel · MAS.38 · Grenade à main offensive modèle 1915 · Grenade fumigène · LG 50 mm mortar · Pistolet mle 1935S · M9 Bazooka German Weapons Panzerbüchse 39 · MG-34 · Karabiner 98k· Gewehr 43 · Gewehr 41 · FG42 · STG44 · MP-40 · MP34 · Stielhandgranate 24 · Nebelhandgranate 39 · Granatwerfer 36 · Luger P08 · Panzerschreck 54 Italian Weapons Beretta Model 38 · Carcano Modello 1891 Universal Weapons Ammo Resupply Pack · Combat Knife · Satchel Charge