Page 1 of 1

Panzerfausts in Africa?

Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 12:23 am
by Warrior
Were Panzerfausts issued to the Afrika Corps? I want to use them in a North Africa scenario circa March 1943.

NO!

Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 3:07 am
by Rune Iversen
As far as i know, the Panzerfaust 30 and Panzerschreck was introduced in the fall and winter of 1943.
Since the Afrika Corps surrendered in may 1943, it looks like you will have to do without.

But you could always make it an ahistorical "What if" scenario, in which the afrika corps has Pzfausts (and Kingtigers:) )

Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 3:07 am
by Fallschirmjager
I dont think the Faust came till early 44

The Germans stole the Idea for the whole prject from the Americans.
They saw the Bazooka in the desert and liked it so they took a few they captured and sent them back to Germany.
After some time they came out with the Panzerschrek (sp?)
When this was excactly I have no idea.
Soon afterwards the Faust came out so that untrained troops (all that was coming out of Germany at this stage) could use them.
Thus the modern RPG was born.

As for the exact dates I have no clue I just no roughly how the Germans designed them

Re: NO!

Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 3:19 am
by Warrior
Originally posted by Rune Iversen
As far as i know, the Panzerfaust 30 and Panzerschreck was introduced in the fall and winter of 1943.
Since the Afrika Corps surrendered in may 1943, it looks like you will have to do without.

But you could always make it an ahistorical "What if" scenario, in which the afrika corps has Pzfausts (and Kingtigers:) )
Actually, I'm kind of glad. I'm having a hard enough time winning the thing now! :eek:

IIRC..... but I too could be mistaken.

Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 5:13 am
by zaxilon
The Panzerfaust was standard issue for all german panzer formations and most army formations starting in mid to late 1943. I do recall something about early models being used in 1942 to a limited extent. I am not saying the particular version modeled in SPWAW is that version, noted in the weapons selection screen as Panserfaust 100. I am saying that the German armed forces had it in use in late 1942. So IMHO, if you include it in a scenario post 1941 it can be placed anywhere.

IIRC, the first models were in experimental use in the field as early as 1941.

The first released models were named "Faustpatrone 2" or Panzerfaust 30. A range of 30 yards and a penetration of 200mm. A smaller variant with the same name of Panzerfaust 30 but also called "Faustpatrone 1", with a range of still 30 yards but a penetration of only 140mm.

A later variant with redesigned firing mechanism and sighting apertures also called Panzerfaust 30,60 or 80 respectfully had ranges of 30, 60 and 80 meters with a penetration of 200mm.

The latest and most advanced version took the name Panzerfaust 100 and had a range of 150 meters and a penetration of 200mm.

I believe the first version I described was that in limited issue in 1942, the second described was the pretty much known standard that was issued in mid to late 1943 and the last was the well known Panzerfaust '44 as we refer to it which was in standard use in 1944.

The Panzerschreck we all know which was actually named "RaketenpanzerbUchse". Is similar in general design as the US Bazooka however with a much bigger punch. The US model was just under 60mm and the German model was an 88mm projectile. The German variant had a range of 120 meters. I dont recall any penetration data on this one but for some strange reason 400mm seems to keep popping in my mind.

I could be mistaken to some extent but I dont think so. Of course I reserve the right to be completely mistaken about absolutely everything :D

Later,
Zaxilon :D