The Second World War was a time of incredible innovation and change, especially when it came to the weapons used by soldiers on the battlefield. Let’s dive into some of the key weapons that defined this era and how they were used by different countries.
At the start of WWII, most soldiers carried bolt-action rifles. These rifles required the shooter to manually reload each bullet by operating a bolt. Some of the most common rifles for the Allies were the Lee-Enfield Mk III and No.4 used by Britain and the Commonwealth, the Springfield Model 1903 for the USA, and the Mosin-Nagant M91/30 for the USSR. On the Axis side, Germany used the Karabiner 98K, Japan had the Arisaka Type 99 and Type 38, and Italy used the Carcano Modello 1891.
As the war progressed, semi-automatic rifles became more popular. These rifles could fire multiple rounds without needing to manually reload after each shot. The M1 Garand and M1 Carbine were popular in the USA, the SVT-40 was used by the USSR, and Germany developed the Gewehr 43.
Machine guns were game-changers in warfare. They came in two main types: heavy machine guns (HMGs), which were used in fixed positions, and light machine guns (LMGs), which were more portable. The German MG-42 was a famous general-purpose machine gun, known for its rapid fire rate of 1200 to 1500 rounds per minute. Other notable machine guns included the Soviet DP-28, the British Bren gun, and the American Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR).
Submachine guns, which fired pistol ammunition, were also widely used. The Thompson SMG, known from gangster movies, was adopted by US and British forces. However, the British later developed the STEN gun, which was cheaper to produce but prone to jamming. The Soviet PPSh-41 was another effective submachine gun with a large 71-round drum magazine. The German MP-40, with its 32-round magazine, was used by infantrymen and paratroopers.
Germany introduced the StG-44, a revolutionary weapon that combined features of rifles and submachine guns. It fired a shorter 7.92x33mm Kurz round and inspired future designs like the AK-47.
Handguns were typically issued to officers, pilots, and tank crews. While not very accurate, they were useful in close combat. Some examples include the M1911 for the USA, the Walther P38 and Luger P08 for Germany, the Webley Mark VI for Britain, the TT-33 for the USSR, and the Nambu Type 14 for Japan.
Flamethrowers made a return in WWII, especially in the Pacific theater, where they were used to clear enemy positions. Hand grenades were essential, with different types like explosive, smoke, and tear gas grenades. The Molotov cocktail, a simple incendiary device, was famously used by Finnish troops against the Soviets.
Infantry also used portable anti-tank weapons. These were metal tubes that fired rockets. The US used the Bazooka, while the Germans had the Panzerschreck.
Now that you’ve learned about some of the weapons used by infantry during WWII, think about which one you find most interesting. Share your thoughts and explore more about history!
Choose one type of infantry weapon from WWII that interests you the most. Conduct research to learn more about its design, usage, and impact during the war. Create a short presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting any unique features or historical significance of the weapon.
Create a comparison chart that lists the different types of infantry weapons discussed in the article. Include columns for the weapon’s name, country of origin, type (e.g., bolt-action rifle, submachine gun), and any notable features. Use this chart to identify patterns or trends in weapon development during WWII.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a WWII soldier using one of the weapons mentioned in the article. Describe a day in the life of this soldier, focusing on how the weapon influences their experiences and challenges on the battlefield.
Participate in a class debate on which infantry weapon had the most significant impact on the outcome of WWII. Prepare arguments for your chosen weapon, considering factors such as technological innovation, tactical advantages, and historical significance. Listen to opposing viewpoints and engage in a respectful discussion.
Imagine you are an engineer during WWII tasked with designing a new infantry weapon. Consider the needs of soldiers and the limitations of existing weapons. Sketch your design and write a brief description of its features and intended use. Share your design with the class and explain how it could have changed the course of the war.
**Infantry Weapons of WWII**
The Second World War saw many varied weapons being used by soldiers. Let’s look at what was manufactured and used on the battlefield.
Most soldiers were equipped with a bolt-action rifle, which fired rounds individually. The rifle was reloaded by inserting a clip into the magazine. Common rifles used by the Allies included the Lee-Enfield Mk III and No.4 for Britain and the Commonwealth, the Springfield Model 1903 for the USA, and the Mosin-Nagant M91/30 for the USSR. For the Axis powers, the rifles included the Karabiner 98K for Germany, the Arisaka Type 99 and Type 38 for Japan, and the Carcano Modello 1891 for Italy.
As the war progressed, semi-automatic rifles became more common. These weapons used gas operation and could be fired repeatedly without needing to cock the bolt after each round. Notable examples include the M1 Garand and M1 Carbine for the USA, the SVT-40 for the USSR, and the Gewehr 43 for Germany.
The machine gun was a significant firearm that changed the nature of warfare. Infantry training centered around two types: the heavy machine gun (HMG), typically used in fortified positions, and the light machine gun (LMG), which was more portable and usually magazine-fed. The German MG-42 is a well-known example of a general-purpose machine gun, capable of firing between 1200 and 1500 rounds per minute.
Other noteworthy weapons include the drum-fed and gas-operated DP-28 used by Soviet forces, the top-mounted magazine Bren gun for the British, and the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) for US forces.
The submachine gun, designed to fire pistol ammunition at short range, became more developed during WWII. The Thompson SMG, initially used by gangsters in the 1920s, was adopted by US and British forces. The British found the Thompson reliable but expensive, leading to the development of their own mass-produced SMG: the STEN gun. While cheaper and simpler to manufacture, it had a tendency to jam. These submachine guns were also distributed to resistance groups in Nazi-occupied Europe. The PPSh-41, used by Soviet forces, was another cost-effective machine gun that proved effective on the battlefield with its 71-round drum magazine. The German Army’s 32-round MP-40 was extensively used by infantrymen, paratroopers, and squad leaders.
Germany produced an innovative semi-automatic and fully-automatic assault rifle in the later part of the war called the StG-44 (or Maschinenpistole-44). It was a unique hybrid between a rifle and a submachine gun, firing a shorter 7.92x33mm Kurz round. This design would go on to inspire post-war assault rifles such as the AK-47.
Handguns were issued to officers, pilots, and tank crews. While generally inaccurate, they were useful in close combat. Some of the handguns used included the M1911 for the United States, the Walther P38 and Luger P08 for Germany, the Webley Mark VI and Enfield No.2 for Britain and its Commonwealth, the TT-33 for the Soviets, and the Nambu Type 14 for Japan.
Flamethrowers were used again in WWII, following their intimidating use in WWI. Marines, for example, used flamethrowers to clear enemy positions in the Pacific theater. Hand grenades were an integral part of an infantryman’s kit, either hand-thrown or fired from a rifle. Different grenade types included explosive, smoke, and tear gas. A more primitive grenade, the Molotov cocktail, was first used in large numbers by Finnish troops against the Soviet Union before WWII.
Lightweight portable anti-tank weapons were also utilized by infantry during WWII. These consisted of a metal tube that fired a rocket when the trigger was pulled. The US forces used the Bazooka, while the Germans employed the Panzerschreck.
Now you know about some of the weapons infantry used during WWII. Leave a comment below letting us know which weapon you found most interesting. Subscribe to see more history videos. Get “Simple History: World War II” out today!
Weapons – Tools or instruments used in combat to inflict harm or damage on an opponent. – During World War I, new weapons such as tanks and airplanes changed the nature of warfare.
Infantry – Soldiers who fight on foot, typically with rifles and other small arms. – The infantry played a crucial role in the trenches during World War I.
Rifles – Long-barreled firearms designed for precise shooting, often used by infantry soldiers. – Rifles were the standard weapon issued to soldiers during the American Civil War.
Machine – A device or tool that performs a specific task, often used in the context of machinery used in warfare. – The introduction of the machine gun revolutionized military tactics in the early 20th century.
Guns – Firearms that discharge bullets or shells, used in various forms by military forces. – Artillery guns were used extensively in World War II to bombard enemy positions.
Grenades – Small explosive devices thrown by hand or launched to cause damage to enemy troops or equipment. – Soldiers used grenades to clear enemy trenches during battles in World War I.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding military history helps us learn from past conflicts and avoid future wars.
Combat – Engagement in fighting between armed forces. – The soldiers were trained extensively in combat techniques before being deployed to the front lines.
Soldiers – Individuals who serve in an army and engage in military operations. – The soldiers showed great bravery during the battle, defending their position against overwhelming odds.
World War – A large-scale war involving many countries across the world, particularly referring to World War I and World War II. – World War II was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world’s nations.
