GERMAN FALLSCHIRMJAGER HEAVY SUPPORT WEAPONS 1939-45

The light flexible role given to the German Fallschirmjager in the early part of the war made heavy support difficult to provide. Many weapons were dropped by parachute (in containers) and some were damaged on landing due to their weight. This and other difficulties with moving the weapons around meant they were less popular with the troops and were rare on the battlefield, but such weapons did exist.

FJ1

7.5 cm PAK 38 and three crew

£4.70

FJ2

50mm PAK 38 and three crew

£4.70

FJ3

7.5 cm PAK40 and three crew

£4.70

FJ4

Three PAK crewmen and ammunition

£1.70

FJ5

Standard 8cm GRW34 mortar and three crew

£1.50

FJ6

2cm PZB 785(s) (I) with two crew

£2.80

FJ7

2cm PZB 785(s)(h) with 4 crew

£4.70

FJ8

2cm MG 151/20 ground mounting with crew

£4.70

FJ9

Special 8cm GRW34 mortar and three crew

£1.50

FJ10

Tripod Heavy MG34 and two crew

£1.50

Swiss made gun obtained in small numbers for Fallschirmjager troops. It was broken down and dropped by parachute in three canisters and assembled on landing. It was fired from the shoulder on blood legs in either full-auto or semi-auto mode from a 5 or 10 round magazine. Heavy recoil and inaccuracy in full – auto mode meant that it would normally be fired on semi–auto. It was effectively a long range sniper and anti – tank gun with a heavy punch. (When using it in a game you should take into account that the gunner was liable to break his collarbone when firing full – auto.)

This was the better (Glider) version and was dropped in two parts: carriage and gun. It came with wheels and was much more portable than the parachute dropped (i) version. The gun was normally fired on its carriage but without wheels for greater stability and better full-auto mode use. The difficulty of transport and firing it means that it too was seldom used but gives a nasty surprise.

These weapons were Luftwaffe aircraft guns stripped from grounded and damaged aircraft to give the newly raised Fallschirmjager Armies for use as heavier weapons, as they were always in desperate need. The gun was placed on a variety of mountings in an effort to give better and more stable gun platforms as this weapon could only fire full-auto. The 151/20 is belt fed or drum fed and can fire all the special Luftwaffe ammunition: Tungsten-core Armour piercing, high explosive and phosphorus rounds to name but a few. This weapon could, in the hands of experienced gunner, be very deadly. Also, with its light carriage, the weapon can be moved around quickly.