Finn Fest 2006

[tuco]

Panzerschreck -

I should have noted the manual is in Finnish and each manual was numbered to go with the Panzerschreck sent to Finland. These along with the Panzerfausts were only sent to Finland after assurances were given that Finland would not pursue a separate peace with the Soviet Union. These were kept such a secret that few of the soldiers that used these had extensive training before going into the field and facing down tanks. The Panzerschrecks were preferred by the Finns as the Panzerfausts sent to Finland were only the smaller Kliens and the 30’s – both rather weak when used on a t34 or a Joseph Stalin (heavy tank)

[mosu]

Indeed there hapend serious accidents. Finnis solders were not used to use Panzerpausts as a weapons. They, as you said, in hurry these were brougt to the front. Some soldiers used them as rifles. And could you think what kind of dameges they did (not over the shouder but aginst the ahoulder. The Panzerfaust had, like I have seen them,a printed text (Achtung starker Feuerstral meanin Look out a stark light beam but the, very few of them could read german. Could you imagine as a rekyless weapon when shot against a shoulder.

[tuco]

That is how I understand it as well. There is a great photo at the Tank Museum that shows these being unpacked and inspected by Finnish officers. It is clear they are new to the weapons when the photo was taken, as they all seem to be interested in their new "toys". I got lucky to find one of the Panzerschrecks at a show last year. It had been repainted (someone wanted to make it German again ) but I was able to scrap most of the new paint off then touch up areas that were rough. It is one item that I have wanted for years, after seeing one in Vic Thomas's collection, so I was pleased when one came my way. They are a great display piece since so few are around - tends to make people want to discuss them.

BTW - I just got in the next batch of books so will send you one out this week. Sorry for the delay but I got a bit behind. Nice thing is the mail from the US to Finland is fast, so I bet the book will be there in the next two weeks at the latest. The book has sold a bit better than I had thought, which is a good thing, but it has left me a bit short on copies at the moment.

Cheers.

[mosu]

Thank you, Tuco

Ossi

[mosu]

but as a very handy weapons the Finns could get remarkable results. A 75 millimeter PAK a antitänk gun weighted (of course it reached hunders of meters) But in such covered terraing as Finland is (a lot of forest )the Panzerfaust was very handy. A PAK weighted 1500 kilos. And meny finnish units were not able to remove fast because under a Soviet attack they were in danger to be destroyed.And the big thanks which the Soviets had could easy go through the small threes but the PAK was not able to do that. With a Panzerfaust a single soldier could destroy the heviest Soviet tanks, if he was only brafe enough to go some 30 meter's or so distance and then the hit was nearly sure. According the German studies a Panzerfaust was more destroying than the Panzerschreck (the German bazooka which BTW was developed according the US bazooka). Perhaps they tried shoot from longer distances and so even a hollov charge the projectile could take an incentive. But this is only my speculations. But the weapon, Panzerfaust, was an effective weapon which had meny advantages and in a way changed anti tank world.

[tuco]

I think however the power is better with the larger fausts not the smaller versions the Finns had. I do not think the Kliens or the 30;s were all that effective in 1944 (but I might be wrong) - the 88mm panzerschrecks were effective against all Soviet armor.

[RGRWJB]

One of the most important aspects of any anti-tank weapon when its fired at a tank is the angle of impact with the shape charge. The Monroe effect is not very effective if the angle is not straight on. I was assigned to a weapons platoon in the Rangers and we shot a LOT of 90mm recoilless rifle rounds as well as M/72A1 LAWS. We shot them into old junk tanks as well as M-113s APCs and found that the angle of impact was very important.

I have read the book you are mentioning too.