Small Arms
Importance during World War II
What are small arms?
Small arms include revolvers and pistols, rifles and carbines, assault rifles, sub machine guns and light machine guns. Together with light weapons heavy machine guns; hand-held grenade launchers are man portable, individual, and crew-served weapon systems used mainly against personnel and lightly armored or unarmored equipment.
Hand Grenade
- The grenade in World War 2 became an integral weapon in every infantry man's kit.
- The defensive grenade (MKII) when exploded emitted deadly fragments at super speed. The offensive grenade (MKIII) created an explosive blast.
- The grenade could also be attached to the muzzle of a rifle adding to the effectiveness of the infantry man.
Flamethrower
Towards the end of the war, each side had modified and improved their flamethrower designs. Smaller, lighter and more mobile flamethrowers were created and some were even adapted for use against tanks.
The most notable use of flamethrowers by the Germans in the First World War was a surprise attack on the British at Hooge, Flanders on 30 July 1915.
The Germans succeeded in pushing the British from their trenches and slaughtered nearly 800 soldiers in two days of fighting. Part of the effectiveness of the flamethrower was in the terror it created, causing panic in enemy lines.
Light Machine Gun
- The machine gun,mechanized killing in World War 1 with its ability to fire a continuous hail of bullets at the enemy troops, at a very rapid rate and a long range, making it an important element of the military unit's firepower.
- In World War 2, the light machine gun, was light enough to be carried by a single soldier, with another soldier carrying additional ammunition such as a spare barrel, a tripod, or other parts.
World War 2 Flamethrower