Which was the best infantry anti tank weapon of WW2 . I hear your answers!!!

To me the panzerfaust


:sherman:

What about the Henschel HS 129 Tank killer?

__________________

For me probably the Panzerfaust 60, but when it comes to weapons with more tahn one shot, I would say the Panzerschreck.

Were the AT rifles used during WWII effective, like the Soviet PTRD or the German Panzerbusche?

__________________
Best Regards, Hufflepuff

Oops I just read your post again, and you said infantry weapon, so the Panzerfaust sounds good too. The problem is that it is a one shot item.

__________________

How specific do you want the answer? Categories could include: anti-tank rifles, anti-tank guns, magnetic mines (applied by infantry), improvised devices (molotov cocktails, etc), panzerfaust, panzerschreck, anti-tank mines (buried). the Germans were even close to producing a guided anti-tank missle. Also included in the "Panzerfaust" Family were the Panzerfaust 100 and Panzerfaust 150.

__________________


For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

Both were designed when Tank armor was thinner. During the war the upgrading to heavier and heavier armor made them quickly obsolete. The same goes for the British .55in Boys Mark I /II, Finnish Lahti Model L 39 20mm, Swiss Solothurn 20mm, and the Polish Karabin przeciwpancerny wz.35 7.92 .

__________________


For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

From what I have read, I should think that the various 'Panzerfaust' were the most effective ( and probably the most cost-effective, too ).

But I have to throw in a Nationalistic note here, and say that I'm surprised at how effective the bizarre-looking PIAT could be in the right hands.....

__________________
"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

I have read that the Allied troops would use them whenever they were found. And IIRC they were even issued when large stocks were found.

__________________


For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

I see the rifle grenade as far more effective. The panzerfaust was certainly capable of killing virtually any tank. But, it had some severe drawbacks too. First, it was a bulky load for an infantryman to haul in addition to the rest of his equipment. Next, it was one shot meaning that hauling it gave you only a very minimal use in the end. On top of this it had a large signature when fired that was likely to attract unwanted attention to the firer. Lastly, it was very short ranged. This meant getting very close to something you probably didn't want to get close to and, if the target had infantry escort things were even harder.
On the other hand, a good HEAT rifle grenade could be fired to 100 yards or more with reasonable accuracy. The attachment for most systems on the rifle added minimal weight. Hauling one or two rounds per man in a squad was not a big load addition. The user retained a useful rifle when not firing grenades in most cases. Rifle grenades also had a small signature making discovery of the firer much less likely.
The largest German AT grenade and the US M9 both penetrated about 100 mm of armor. This was sufficent performance to take out virtually any tank from the flank and could damage or destroy many from the front as well.
For urban fighting the German panzerknacker prefered the panzerwurfmine hand thrown weapon. This weapon could be thrown almost as far as a panzerfaust could fire to, had no signature, was far more convienent as a load and, attacked the top of the target, the weakest armored area.

__________________

When i talk about weapons i do not include improvised ones such as sticky bombs or molotov cocktails. When i say panzerfaust, i talk about the various types of them. I think all of them were incredibly effective

Agreed : cheap and effective and could be used by almost every combatant.

__________________

Only two drawbacks to the Panzerfaust: akward to aim and single shot. Still an excellent weapon nonetheless.

__________________
Best Regards, Hufflepuff

Panzerschreck 54 no questions asked, many T-34 was lost due to this weapon in the Ost Preussian marshes.

The British No 74 ST Grenade "sticky bomb" wasn't improvised.

__________________


For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

Molotov Cocktail!

__________________
The war against Russia will be such that it cannot be conducted in a knightly fashion. This struggle is one of ideologies and racial differences and will have to be conducted with unprecedented, unmerciful and unrelenting harshness. -Adolf Hitler

A couple of these dropped on the centres of production:

I mean those sticky bombs that were done with socks and improvised

It took some brave Grenadiers to get in that close. Teller mines jammed underneath the turrets of T-34s,too.

My vote would be the panzerfaust though I'm surprised no one said anything nice about the bazooka.

__________________

I did if you include the Panzerschrek, at least the Landser has a bit of range and tremendous hitting power

well I'm not sure of the performance of this particular weapon, but I like it!!
The NOYS .55 cal Anti Tank Rifle! (i would like to shoot one of these someday!!)

__________________
Scott

I'm not sure I would after watching these:
Question about Boys .55 ATR penetration

Cheers,
Adam.

kicks like a mule don't it!

__________________
Scott

Panzerschrek 54 for (what I like/would prefer) best as well. Mobile, re loadable, effective against all. Requiring (2-men, one gunner, and one with the ammunition) no more men than a PTRS/PTRD or Bazooka.
The Panzer Faust 60 was good as well, but as was said hard to aim for the novice (which were their main operators). A good punch for a single man, a single time.

__________________
There's one way to find out if a man is honest-ask him. If he says "Yes", you know he's a crook. Groucho Marx

and even though the Panzerfaust 60 and 100 as standard were a mark of death for Allied/Soviet tanks the range was limited and the man with the weapon was always at risk, but considering the light weight ...... ?