World War 2 Weapons

WW2 Memorials

• A WW2 Timeline
  As extinsive as timelines can go, this one surpasses them all. Find information before the war, as well as the extensive WW2 timeline. Find WW2 quotes and what happened this week during WW2.
• World War 2
  The best portal to find WW2 facts, battles, casualties, statistics, propaganda, vehicles (tanks, submarines, aircraft, battleships), and technology. You can even find World War 2 trivia, summaries, and basic history.
• World War 2 Information
  Find insightful essays surrounding various topics of World War 2. Read about military strategies, important battles, weapons, intelligence, and military theory. Also, find information about the leaders, generals, and the heroes of the war.

World War 2 Timeline

In September 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria under false pretexts and captured it from China.

In 1933, Adolf Hitler became the leader of Germany, and under Nazi power, Germany began to rearm and pursue new foreign policy by demanding the cession territories which were historically a part of Germany.

In July 1937, Japan invaded the mainland of China, and bombed Shanghai and Guangzhou.

In Europe, Germany and Italy, began a hostile and aggressive fight over foreign policies, to which the United Kingdom and France attempted to solve diplomatically with appeasement.

In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland in cooperation with the Soviet Union, causing the war in Europe to follow. Although, the French and British hoped to appease Hitler, they did not declare war at first, but when Hitler failed to respond, they declared war. But, throughout the winter of '39 and '40, no one was willing to engage the other; this period is now known as the Phoney War.

In the spring of 1940, Germany captured Denmark and Norway.

In the summer of 1940, Germany captured France and the Low Countries.

In June 1940, Italy declared war, and the Italian Army attacked France.

In 1940, Japan invaded French Indochina, and the United States, Great Britain, and the Netherlands put economic sanctions on the country

In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, which brought the Soviet Union into alliance with the United Kingdom.

In December 1941, launched simultaneous attacks against the United States at Pearl Harbor and British assets in Southeast Asia. Four days later, Germany declared war on the United States.

In 1942, Japan suffered its first major defeat against U.S. forces in the Battle of Midway. German forces in Africa were being pushed back by Anglo-American forces, and Germany's offense in the Soviet Union had ceased.

In 1943, Germany suffered great losses at Stallingrad and Kursk. They were expelled from Africa, while their Allied forces were driven northward through Sicily and Italy.

In September 1943, Italy signed the Italian Armistice.

In 1944, German troops were forced out of Russia and were pushed into Poland and Romania. The Western Allies invaded Europe's mainland, liberating France and the Low Countries, while reaching Germany's western borders. At the same time, while Japan launched a successful offensive in China, in the Pacific, their navy suffered great losses as American forces captured airfields within bombing range of Tokyo.

In 1945, the war ended when the Soviet Union invaded Manchuria and the United States dropped atomic bombs on Japanese mainland. Leaving the Soviet Union and the United States as the world's two leading superpowers

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WW2 Weapons

Since so many different countries were pulled into the worldwide war, different technology was used per the different countries. As, not every country was a military equal, various weapons including pistols and handguns, rifles, machine guns, submachine guns, anti-tank weapons, flamethrowers, grenades, and grenade dischargers, were used.

• Weapons of World War 2
  A listing of various weapons compiled in groups of aircraft, small arms, armor, and ships. Each group contains weapons used by the United States, Britain, Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and Imperial Japan.

American WW2 Weapons

The United States held out of the war as long as it could. When Japan attacked the base at Pearl Harbor, the U.S. officially entered the war as one of the three Allies. The United States used various weapons of choice throughout their stay in the war. Some of the more common weapons are listed below.

Pistols and Handguns:

• M1917 Revolver
• Smith & Wesson M&P
• Colt M1911/A1
• Colt General Officer's Model (only issued to General Officers)

Rifles:

• M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle
• M1 Garand
• M1 Carbine
• M1903 Sringfield

Machine Guns:

• Browning M1919 Medium Machine Gun
• Browning M1917A1 Heavy Machine Gun
• Browning M2 Heavy Machine Gun

Submachine Guns:

• Thompson M1928, M1928A1, M1, M1A1
• M3/A1 'Grease Gun'

Anti-Tank Weapons:

• M1/A1 "Bazooka"

Grenades:

• MK2 Fragmentation Hand Grenade

US WW2 Weapons

Nazi Germany

• German Secret Weapons
  Germany came into the Second World War very strong, and towards the end of the war, their innovative technology began to be referred to as "German Secret Weapons" or "Wonder Weapons," depending on which side you fought on.
• German Weapons of WW2
  In addition to the various weapons the Germany used during the Second World War, you can find Italian weapons, Japanese weapons, and Allied weapons used during WW2. Find a detailed layout of German trenches, and information about Germany's gas "secre

German WW2 Weapons

Nazi Germany was one of the main factors in the Second World War. They were just one of the three countries that composed the Axis Powers. The German military used a variety of weapons during WW2 to include various pistols, rifles, machine guns, and other weapons. The more commonly used weapons are listed below.

Pistols and Handguns:

• Walther P38
• Luger P08
• Selbstaldepistole Modell 1932 full auto pistol
• Walther PP, PPK

Rifles:

• Mauser Karabiner 98 Kurz

Machine Guns:

• Maschinengewehr 1934 (MG 34)
• Maschinengewehr 1942 (MG 42)

Submachine Guns:

• Maschinenpistole 1938/1940 (MP-38/40)

Anti- Tank Weapon:

• Panzerfaust
• Raketenpanzerbüchse "Panzerschreck"
• Panzerbüchse 38 & Panzerbüchse 39
• Raketen-Panzerbüchse 43 (Dolly)

Grenades:

• Model 24 Stielhandgranate Offensive Hand Grenade
• Model 43 Stielhandgranate Offensive Hand Grenade
• Model 39 Stielhandgranate Offensive Hand Grenade
• Spilttering

Fascist Italy

• Fascist Italy in WW2
  You can find a general overview plan of the Italian military and political organization. You can read a little about Fascists of Italy. And find information about Italy throught the war.
• Comando Supremo: Italy at War
  Read about Italy throught 1940 through 1945. Find more in dept information about the weapons they use, as well as the aircraft and warships. Read articles and profiles and examine maps from WWII

Italian WW2 Weapons

Fascist Italy was a second wheel on the Axis, and was, also, played a strong part in World War 2. Their more common weapons tended to lean towards guns handguns, rifles, and machine guns.

Pistols and Handguns:

• Beretta Modello 1934
• Beretta Modello 1935
• Glisenti M1910

Rifles:

• Carcano M1891
• Carcano M1891 Moschetto da Cavelleria (Cavalry Carbine)
• Carcano M1891 TS Moschetto per Truppe Speciali (Special Troop Carbine)

• Carcano M1938 Carbine

Machine Guns:

• Breda Modell 30
• Breda Modello 1937
• Fiat-Revelli Modello 1914
• Fiat-Revelli Modello 1935

Submachine Guns:

• Breretta Modello 1918
• Moshchetto Automatico Beretta 1938
• FNAB-43
• TZ-45

Hand Grenades:

• Bomba a Mano mod. 35
• Bomba a Mano mod. 42

Imperial Japan

• Imperial Japan Navy in WW2
  Find information about various battles and attacks that the Japanese fought in, as well as other important battles from the war. And you can read up on Japanese Navy Admirals, and

Japanese WW2 Weapons

The third country in the three Axis powers was Imperial Japan. Japan invaded the French Indochina, launched attacks on the United States, and attacked British assets in Southeast Asia. Japan, although successful throughout the war, lost as America dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese mainland.

Pistols and Hand Guns:

• Nambu Type 14
• Type 26
• Nambu Type 94

Rifles:

• Type 38 Rifle
• Type 2 Rifle
• Type 38 Cavalry Rifle
• Type 99 Rifle
• Type 97 Sniper Rifle
• Type 44 Cavalry Rifle

Machine Guns:

• Type 11 Light Machine Gun
• Type 96 Light Machine Gun
• Type 97 Light Machine Gun
• Type 99 Light Machine Gun
• Type 1 Heavy Machine Gun
• Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun
• Type 4 Heavy Machine Gun
• Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun

Flamethrower:

• Type 93
• Type 100

Grenades:

• Type 10 Fragmentation Hand/Discharger Grenade
• Type 91 Fragmentation Hand/Discharger Grenade
• Type 97 Fragmentation Grenade
• Type 99 Hand/ Rifle Fragmentation Grenade

Grenade Dischargers:

• Type 10
• Type 89

Weird WW II Weapons

Soviet Union WW2 Weapons

The Soviet Union was another Allied country. With the United States, the Soviet Union came out of the war as one of the two leading superpowers. To gain this notable title, they used weapons such as those that have been listed below.

Pistols and Handguns:

• Nagant M1895
• Tokarev TT-30/TT-33

Rifles:

• Mosic-Nagan M1891/30, M1938, M1944
• Tokarev SVT-38, SVT-40

Machine Guns:

• DP-28 Light Maching Gun
• Maxim PM1910 Medium Machine Gun
• DShK 1938 Heavy Machine Gun

Submachine Gun:

• PPD-40
• PPSh-41
• PPS-43

Anti-Tank Weapons:

• PTRD-41 (Bolt action Anti-Tank Rifle)
• PTRS-41 (Semi-Automatic Anti-Tank Rifle)

Flamethrowers:

• ROKS-2
• ROKS-3

Grenades:

• F1 Fragmentation Hand Grenade
• RGD-33 Fragmentation Hand Grenade
• RG-41 Anti-Tank Hand Grenade
• RG-42 Fragmentation Hand Grenade
• RPG-6 HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) Hand Grenade
• RPG-43 HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) Hand Grenade

• WW2 Society
  The Second World War Society has information before the war, during the war, and after the war. They have compiled battlefield legers. You can join the WW2 Society in order to help sacrifice and achievements of the British and Commonwealth Forces.

United Kingdom WW2 Weapons

The third Allied country, was the United Kingdom. To which weapons they commonly used were various handguns, machine guns, and grenades.

Pistols and Handguns:

• Enfield Revolver No. 2 MK.1
• Webley Mk.VI (.455) & Mk.IV (.38/200)
• Smith & Wesson "Victory"
• Browning FN-Inglis No. 2 Mk.1 Pistol
• Colt M1911/A1

Rifles:

• Lee Enfield SMLE's
• Pattern 14 (P14) "No. 3"

Machine Guns:

• Bren Ligh Machine Gun
• Lewis Light Machine Gun
• Vickers Medium Machine Gun

Submachine Guns:

• Sten
• Lanchester
• Thompson M1928, M1928/A1, M1, M1A1

Anti-Tank Weapons:

• PIAT (Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank)
• Rifle, Anti-Tank, .55 in, Boys

Flamethrowers:

• No. II Mk.II Flamethrower "Lifebuoy"

Grenade:

• No. 36M Mk.I (Fragmentation Hand/Rifle Grenade; "Mills Bomb")
• Grenade, Rifle No. 68 AT- HEAT anti-tank rifle grenade
• No. 69 Mk.I Bakelite Concussion Hand Grenade
• No. 73 Anti-tank hand grenade "Thermos Grenade"
• No. 74 ST Grenade "Sticky Bomb"- anti-tank hand grenade
• No. 75 Anti-tank Hand Grenade "Hawkins Grenade"/ "Hawkins Mine"
• No. 76 Special Incendiary Phosphorus Hand Grenade
• No. 77 White Phosphorus Hand Grenade
• No. 82 Anti-tank Hand Grenade "Gammon Grenade/ Bomb"

Aftermath of World War 2

After the end of the war, many British crown colonis and Dutch territories claimed their independence.

New nations and alliances were formed throughout Asia and Africa.

The Philippines were granted their independence from the United States in 1946.

Poland redrew its boundaries to inlude portions of pre-war Germany, and to exclude most of the areas taken by the Soviet Union.

Germany was split into four zones of occupation, and the three zones under the Western Allies was reconstituted as a constitutional democracy.

Europe was informally split into Western and Soviet spheres of influence.

In 1945, the allied nations, formed the United Nations in order to minimize future conflicts.

In 1952, a peace treaty was signed between Japan and the United States.

And, after the war China's international status was enhanced as they no longer had Imperial Japan interfering.

Comments

Vidhya L from Chennai, India on October 28, 2012:

Nice list of WW2 weapons. have pinned it.

jack wilshire on February 08, 2012:

hey!

this website is so interesting!!!!Really didn't know history could be intreging.Helped me with trying to know everything when my arsenal teamate almunia asked me!

thxs

from J.W of arsenal

dont wanna say on February 08, 2012:

amazing website!!!

nearly no failures and very factual.Clearly you've put a lot of effort into this page!learnt a lot more bout guns for my project!!!!!!!!!!

thxs a lot for your help!

tomogun on February 06, 2012:

Great Britain as the third of the allies?? maybe needs re-wording. Seeing as we were there pretty much from the start along with the French, Russians, Australians, Polish etc

shawn on January 18, 2012:

it is so good this website

matt on December 21, 2011:

This really helped my WW2 progect

Haydn on September 17, 2011:

This Website Rocks It Just Help Finsh a History Project About Wepons Of WWII :)Congrats On Making This Website Who Ever u Are :D

jeremy wall on August 29, 2011:

i have a uw unidentified rifle stock that someone gave to me i have no clue what it is but it has a compartment on the but of the stock that slides open an it has a lil rag in it, no markings or anything help

jerry o on July 23, 2011:

my uncle is 93 yrs young. he is very active, He served with the 82nd airborne 508, and im taking him to his reunion this oct. at fort benning ga.and does he have some stories...i served in vietnam two tours and i wouldn't have traded places with him on a bet. God bless all vets

your face on April 04, 2011:

thanks my heritage project is complete

juddo74 on March 26, 2011:

Very well done site, very informative, everybody I know says I know just about everything there is to know about world war 2 and the holocaust but I just know about the big (and small) events in it. Just one note for Tyler about germans fighting Americans, don't forget here in Britain we were fighting the Germans from day 1 in both world wars.

donald on February 17, 2011:

thx for this im an 8tb grader and Im using this in my report.

ive looked at other sites but urs rocks!

thx again

tyler on February 09, 2011:

Wow GERMAN 2 WARS AGAINST us Americas in we still won i wonder why?

Michael on February 08, 2011:

I love how these little kids go on saying they know all these weapons like they looked it up, but they really just play to much Call of Duty World at War.

bill force on February 01, 2011:

You forgot the T100 Japanese submachine gun.

Alaa on February 01, 2011:

Well I love to know some informations about WWII sprcially the real events in Stalingrad when Vassili Zaitsev killed many of German Soldiers and Snipers.

So for this,I bought Call of Duty 5 game (World At War) which is about WWII and I'm picking always Vassili's Sniper Rifle which is MOSIN-NAGANT and I'm playing online on Play Station 3 Network.

This is my online ID on PS3 :- (I-SniperElite).Add me.

Aryianna on February 01, 2011:

I am in 8th Grade and I am doing a 5 page report on this stuff and this page really helped. :)

Jess on January 14, 2011:

Thanks for the info I love WW2 and it's history. I love to know about the guns.

Pedro on December 10, 2010:

Nice, I'm using this for a Final Project in High School, all rights reserved to you.

Great Information.

-Thanks

oogabooga on November 16, 2010:

The U.S did have snipers but they were rarely used because people during the war thought they were pointless they started being used during the vietnam war.

aceofaces on November 08, 2010:

this is awesome and dude with the rifle with gold plated swasticas it is a lot bro and leafbrain is stupid as well

you can't know :) on November 03, 2010:

american's had no snipers? dang, how did we win, the m1 garand? really?

JOe on September 08, 2010:

I have a ww2 nazi rifle with a gold plate on the butt with swatsticas on it. does anyone know the value

travis jewell on July 20, 2010:

u forgot the German stg 44 and the awesome fg42

conorw5 on July 11, 2010:

wow thanks this really helped me with my history project!!!

Kevin Schofield on June 30, 2010:

Thanks for a great hub. Lots of facts and sobering info. I've fired a bren and a Lee Enfield .303 on the firing range, so can appreciate the devastating effects these firearms can inflict. kind regards, Kev.

blackhatworld from Belize on May 26, 2010:

wow so much info. thanks very much.

Thanks on May 13, 2010:

Dude this site is so amazing... i have almost all the info i need now

truth on April 26, 2010:

not bad ive studied wars and watnot for years and you did a pretty googd summary of ww2 and i think uve helped a lot of people and yal other guys that added on great job

Student on April 26, 2010:

WOW! This is really amazing! You really helped me out with my World War II project! ^.^

comandocody44 on April 11, 2010:

what about th m40smg

WKoppin from Michigan on April 02, 2010:

Glaring weakpoint if were going for a complete list here (unless I missed something. No Mp43/44 (or Stg44) important automactic rifle on the road to the modern be-all assualt rifle, which in all honsety your could say that it was. I understand you could mean by "commonly used" but the Mp44 was assigned in large numbers to several units, and indded one could argue that it's inevitable capture in copious amounts by the Russians may have led to the development of the Ak-47. Otherwise the Germans are also missing the other two automatic rifles used, The Gewher 41, and 43, as well as the FG42 Fallsichjeager (German Paratrooper) assault rifle. That last one is dissmisable as it's comparataively few numbers would fall out of "common." The number of weaons under the Jappanese "Machineguns" is appreciable subtantial, considering that sometiems people seem to assume they just screamed Banzi and ran at you with a sword.