Anti-Tank Rifle-It's Not Just For Killing Tanks

Ranging in size from 7.9 mm to 20mm (.311 to .787 inches), the Anti-Tank Rifle (ATR) was a standard weapon in most armies at the start of the 2nd World War, the US Army being a notable exception.

When designed in the 1930's the type 97 20mm ATR was able to penetrate the frontal armor of most of the World's tanks. Even though by the time of the Second World War, medium tank armor quickly became too much for every nation's ATR's, they still had their uses. They were very effective vs lightly armored cars, halftracks and soft skinned vehicles. While not as accurate as sniper rifles, their range and stopping power made them quite deadly against individual troops. 

The Soviet Army used countless 14.5 mm (.57 inches) ATR's in the Second World War. So much so that the design (and possibly some original weapons) is still being used in the current Ukranian Russian War.

Taking aim on a lightly armored vehicle, this Afrika Korps Anti-Tank Rifle team (ATR), has an excellent chance to take the APC out if action. Alternatively, the range and killing power of the ATR makes it a deadly snipers' weapon in the hand of a good marksman.

 This Aussie ATR takes aim on an advancing Japanese light armored fighting vehicle (AFV). They are using the Boys .55 cal. (13.97mm) ATR that could penetrate around an inch (25mm) of armor at 100 yards range (91.44m).

In the Pacific War, having supporting firepower such as this .55-inch (13.97mm) Boys ATR Sikh team was always appreciated. 

The constantly increasing thickness of tank armor quickly made ATRs obsolete in their anti-tank role. But they continued to be used by some troops till the end of the war. While not as accurate as sniper rifles, their range and stopping power made them quite deadly against individual troops. 

The Bazooka, Musical Instrument-No-Tank Killer Yes

A real game changer for the poor infantrymen facing enemy armor was the "Bazooka." The first of the man portable antitank weapons that had a decent chance against medium tanks in WWII.

Officially the 2.36 in. Rocket Launcer M1. the name "Bazooka" came from its resemblance to a "Joke" instrument of the musician/comedian Bob Burns which had the Bazooka name first.

By the end of the Second World War, it was obvious that the 2.36 in. (60 mm) needed an upgrade. The 3.5 in. (89 mm) M20 "Super Bazooka" would become the mainstay of the Army in the Korean War. 

These are plastic pieces I painted in 2019.

Thanks, Britian, for the Antitank Weapon

French Forces of the Interior (FFI) members, Jean and Louis-Erik, form the heavy weapons team of their guerilla cell in South-Eastern France. As such they carry a large load of weapons and ammo.

Their most powerful weapon is a British "Projectile Infantry Antitank (PIAT) launcher, that was included in the latest airdrop from the British. As useful at taking out fortified positions as it is at tackling German armour, the PIAT is a valuable addition to their cell's firepower.

 As the rest of their weapons are captured Axis equipment (a MP 40 SMG, an Italian Bolero 1889 pistol and stick grenades) resupply of ammo and spare parts is haphazard at best. Maybe the next supply drop will include more British weapons and ammo.

Jean and Louis-Erik are kit-bashed pieces I created and painted over the weekend.

Kill a Light Tank or Snipe a Soldier-use Your ATR

Taking aim on a lightly armored vehicle, this Afrika Korps anti-tank Rifle team (ATR), has an excellent chance to take the APC out if action. Alternatively, the range and killing power of the ATR makes it a deadly snipers' weapon in the hand of a good marksman.

Ranging in size from 7.9 mm to 20mm (.311 to .787 inches), the ATR was a standard weapon in most armies at the start of the 2nd World War, the US Army being a notable exception. The constantly increasing thickness of tank armor quickly made ATRs obsolete in their anti-tank role. But they continued to be used by some troops till the end of the war.

                      This is a scratch-built unit that I made and painted in 2021.

When Infantry Need To Kill A Tank-WWII Style

Since the invention of tanks, the bloody infantry has been trying to find ways to destroy these armored dangers.

When desperate, use anything available-explosives, fire bombs, or "Lunge-Mines. Needless to say survival was lower for the attacker.

The Anti-Tank Rifle was ok against the early lightly armed AFV's. At least it made you feel better when you got to shoot back.

The PIAT (Projectile Infantry Anti-Tank) was effective against most medium tanks but had a short range.

If you were really brave, the flamethrower could cook most tanks, if they didn't see you coming.

The Bazooka rocket launcher was the first anti-tank weapon that combined killing power, range and portability to give the foot slogger a fighting chance. 

These are all plastic pieces that I have painted this century.

Bastone, Bazooka vs Panzer

News From the Front

Winter 1944, and the American's are hard pressed to hold back the latest German offensive on the Western Front. This Bazooka team outside of the key crossroads town of Bastone, is taking aim on advancing Panzers in a desperate bid to buy time for Patton's 3rd Army to reenforce the US positions.

 

By late 1944, the 2.36 in (60mm) bazooka struggled to stop the most powerful German tank designs, like the Tiger, Panther and King Tiger.
 

But with luck and in the right position (rear, roof top or track hits giving the best chance) and a lot of guts, even the 2.36 Bazooka could stop these behemoths. 

The 3.5 inch (90mm) "Super Bazooka" would give the infantry a lot more tank killing power, but that would be in the next war (Korea). So, for the rest or the European campaign the 2.36 would have to do.

These are kit bashed plastic pieces I painted in January.    

Bazooka Team-On the Double

This two-man bazooka team has to double time it to the next position to get set to stop the next enemy assault.

The 2.36-inch (60 mm) bazooka was a game changer in giving the bloody infantry the ability to stop enemy armor. The rocket propelled projectile originally was designed to penetrate 3 inches (76 mm) of armor, while later variants upped the penetration to 4 inches (102 mm). 

By the end of the war the 2.36 inch struggled to defeat the latest tank designs and was soon replaced by the 3.5-inch (90 mm) "Super Bazooka" that was used in the next major conflict, the Korean War.

This team is plastic that I put together and painted in January.

Need Boots on the Ground-Call in the Bloody Infantry

A well tested British infantry squad is a perfect example of the "Bloody Infantry" that did the lion's share of ground fighting of the Second World War.

Like their forefathers, and future infantry brothers, the Bloody Infantry are the ones who have to take and hold the ground they are fighting on. Their job is made easier by the other arms like the artillery, but in the end its "Boots on the Ground" that own the land.

This squad has a mixed group of weapons, Sten Gun SMG, Bren Gun LMG, Enfield rifles, Piat anti-tank, Webley revolver, hand grenades, and the spike bayonet. 

The weapons and equipment may change, but since the time of the Roman Legionnaires, the role of the Bloody Infantry will aways be the same.  Meet and defeat the enemy, take and hold the land that they paid for with their blood.

So raise a pint and salute the Bloody Infantry-God Bless Em.

                                    These are plastic pieces I finished last night.

Panzers Foe-57mm ATG

 

Hiding while waiting for a target, this M1 57mm ATG is ready to fire its lethal rounds.

Based on the British 6 pdr ATG, the 57mm (2.24 inches) was produced and used by US forces throughout the war.

the M1 had a slightly longer, and therefore higher muzzle velocity than the British 6 pdr. Even though they were smaller than the 75mm, using the latest Armor-Piercing, Discarding Sabot (APDS) rounds gave the 57mm a fighting chance against most German late war AFV's.

The US produced 15,600+ 57mm guns and the British produced more than 36,000 6 pdrs. While dropped by the US military in the 1950's the 57mm continued to see combat duties in other armies until the 1970's.

                                I put together this metal piece in August of 2020.

Truck-ATG Light Mobile Firepower

The M6 37mm Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) An early war attempt to give mobile anti-tank ability to US troops.

Before the War, the 37mm ATG and other like pieces (like the British2 pdr) was the standard ATG of the World's major Armies.

By 1942, it was way too underpowered to take on the latest European Theater tank designs.

Still the tried-and-true 37mm was used in a variety of vehicles till the end of the War.

The 5100+ M6 37mm GMC's, while rarely in US service in the last years of the War, continued to see service with the French forces to the very end of the Second World War.

These are resin and metal pieces that I finished this week.