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Germany - Infantry Antitank Weapons |
Panzerfaust 250
The Pzf 250, coupled the Pzf 150 projectile with its own integral propelling charge, loaded into a totally new, multiple-use, muzzle-loading launcher, fitted with pistol grip containing electric trigger mechanism. This was an attempt to create a weapon merging two hitherto separately developed concepts: a single-use expendable launcher (Panzerfaust) with a user-reloadable Bazooka, but with recoilless-fired, not rocket-propelled warheads. It was able to shoot projectiles at the initial velocity reaching 150 m/sec., and with a range up to 250 meters. It was scheduled to be mass-manufactured as of August, 1945.
With the most advanced Pzf 250 project, enabling to load the launcher with separate grenades, the question of diversity returned. At the same time when these separate ‘shots’ were experimented with, specialized loadings for the classic expendable Panzerfaust were also tried.
Grosser Panzerfaust
When in early 1945 intelligence reports announced the new Soviet super-heavy tank with enhanced armor (later to materialize as the JS-3), a corresponding project of the Super-Panzerfaust, called was prepared. This Pzf 250-launched warhead was able to pierce as much as 400 mm of armor plate, but this ambitious program remained on paper.
Other planned Pzf 250 warheads: incendiary, incendiary-HEAT, and a lachrymatory warhead to smoke out defenders in street fighting.
With the most advanced Pzf 250 project, enabling to load the launcher with separate grenades, the question of diversity returned. At the same time when these separate ‘shots’ were experimented with, specialized loadings for the classic expendable Panzerfaust were also tried.
- Splitterfaust (featuring a new warhead fitted with a pre-fragmented cast-iron sleeve and time-fuze to air-burst the thing 200-400 meters from the firing position). As many as 100 Splitterfausts are reported to be manufactured in April 1945 and delivered for front-line testing around Eberswalde.
- Brandfaust, with incendiary warhead.
- An interesting study from spring 1945 describes what can be deemed an early attempt at creating the thermobaric warhead, using HE charge generously laced with aluminum powder and barium peroxide to enhance its effect in urban warfare.
Grosser Panzerfaust
When in early 1945 intelligence reports announced the new Soviet super-heavy tank with enhanced armor (later to materialize as the JS-3), a corresponding project of the Super-Panzerfaust, called was prepared. This Pzf 250-launched warhead was able to pierce as much as 400 mm of armor plate, but this ambitious program remained on paper.
Other planned Pzf 250 warheads: incendiary, incendiary-HEAT, and a lachrymatory warhead to smoke out defenders in street fighting.
The Museums Display Piece:
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