What equipment did a WW2 soldier have?

The soldiers carried much of their kit around with them. They were supplied with clothes, boots, weapons and a personal kit. Soldiers carried a water-bottle, ammunition pouches, entrenching tool (spade), a groundsheet and a haversack containing; mess-tin, tinned rations, extra iron rations, spare socks and laces.

What was the best machine gun in ww2?

MG42. The MG34 was followed by the MG42 light machine gun, which could fire at 1550 rpm and was lighter, faster and produced in far greater numbers than its predecessor. This was probably the most effective machine gun produced during the war.

What was in a ww2 haversack?

This comprised an upper “marching pack” for rations, poncho and clothes, and a lower knapsack for extra shoes and utilities. The exterior of the upper pack had loops and grommet tabs for attaching a bayonet, shovel, bedroll, extra canteen, and first-aid pouch. It was issued in tan or khaki canvas.

What artillery did the US use in ww2?

The M1A1 155mm “Long Tom” could hurl a 127-pound projectile to a range of 22,000 meters (13.7 miles), while the M1 8-inch gun fired a 240-pound shell up to 32,500 meters (20.2 miles).

What were the different types of tanks used in WW2?

At the outbreak of the Second World War the British army had three types of tank: light tanks for reconnaissance, heavily armoured ‘infantry tanks’ to support frontal attacks, and fast ‘cruiser tanks’ to exploit the gaps made in the enemy defences. One of the latter was the A13 Mk III (Cruiser Tank Mk V) Covenanter.

Why was there a shortage of anti-tank guns in WW2?

During the Second World War Britain’s Home Guard was famous for making do with outdated weapons as industry concentrated on supplying the regular army with modern equipment. In particular there were very few anti-tank guns, a shortage which retired British Army Major William H Smith intended to put right.

What is the history of heavy tanks?

In 1939 the Ministry of Supply set up a committee of the principal tank designers from the First World War, with the object of looking into current British tank development. ‘The Old Gang’, as they were known, came up with their own concept for a heavy tank – known as TOG 1.

What gun fired around corners in WW2?

Krummlauf – the gun that fired round corners The Krummlauf was a curved barrel attachment for the German Sturmgewehr 44 (StG 44) assault rifle, which enabled the weapon to be fired around corners. Its shape meant it could also be used from within a tank to counter enemy infantry armed with mines or other anti-tank weapons.