FG 42
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The Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 (FG42) was an automatic rifle produced for Germany during World War II. The weapon was developed for paratroopers, who wanted a lighter machine gun after their experiences in the Invasion of Crete. While other nations had fielded large numbers of light machine guns (LMGs), such as the Bren or Browning Automatic Rifle, there was no such weapon fielded by Germany. Paratroopers had to make do with a limited number of MG34s, which, even in their LMG configuration, were significantly heavier than other LMGs, and individual weapons like the K98k and MP40. As a result, the FG-42 was developed. It could fire single shots semi-automatically, but also serve as a light support weapon. Its development was authorized by Hermann Göring.
Development
After the inception of the G41 and G43 semi-automatic rifles into the German Army (Heer) and the Waffen SS, and the inadequacy of the MP 40 and the Karabiner 98k during the Battle of Crete, Hermann Göring (at the time the commander of all Luftwaffe forces) insisted that his Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) be supplied with an even more advanced self-loading rifle. The requirements were that it be light enough for the individual paratrooper to carry with him on the drop, incorporate fully automatic fire, and serve the role of a rifle when needed.Six manufacturers were given contracts but only a few prototypes are known to have been submitted. The design by Rheinmetall-Borsig designed by Louis Stange was accepted for mass production by Heinrich Krieghoff of Suhl (fzs) and L.O. Deitrich of Altenburg (gcy). However, due to design faults, the weapon had to be modified twice, increasing its service ability but also its weight and cost.
Field testing
The FG42 filled a key niche in Germany's arsenal and was somewhat well-received by paratroopers when tested, but it did have its drawbacks. The FG42 had a 20, or sometimes 10, round magazine that was mounted on the left side of the rifle. Though a side-mounted magazine was common in submachineguns, the larger magazine with heavier ammunition of a full-powered rifle tended to unbalance the weapon. In addition, muzzle rise with automatic fire was substantial and controlable bursts were difficult. This made full-automatic fire only marginally useful. The FG42 used a fairly sophisticated muzzle device that did help with recoil and muzzle flash, but blast and noise were much greater than other similar weapons. The US M14 rifle had similar problems and attempts were made to upgrade that rifle the same way with an in-line stock and muzzle device.The FG42 fired in semi-automatic mode from a closed bolt; the short lock-time, and little movement in the action during firing meant greater accuracy. When firing in the automatic mode, the gun utilized an open bolt system. This had the advantage of preventing a phenomenon known as "cooking off" where the heat of repeated rounds being fired causes a chambered round to overheat and prematurely ignite the powder or primer.
Some features, such as the details of the gas-operated bolt selection process, were studied by US Army engineers after the war. These, along with some aspects of the MG42, are commonly reported to have been incorporated in the similarly troubled M60.
The American M41 Johnson LMG has many parallels with the contemporary FG42. Both had in-line stocks, fed from the left side, and both fired from the open bolt in automatic mode and closed bolt in semi-automatic mode. Despite these similarities, there is no evidence that either weapon had any effect on the design of the other. They were both seeking to solve similar problems.
Deployment
After approximately 2000 FG 42s had been produced by Krieghoff, supplies of the manganese steel from which the receivers were forged were diverted to other needs; this meant a redesign was required to use stamped sheet metal in its place. Field reports were also requesting minor improvements, such as: relocating the bipod from the front of the handguard to the muzzle to reduce shot dispersion; changing the pistol grip angle to near vertical; enlarging the handguard and changing the stock from stamped steel to wood to minimize overheating. By the time the FG42 Mark II was developed, the war had significantly changed for the worse. Frequent allied bombing raids had crippled Germany, and the only weapons that could be produced were made out of lower-quality materials and subject to poor production methods. In all, only about 5000 of the newer model were produced, and only a limited number found their way into the hands of troops. Commandos under Otto Skorzeny were the first troops to use this weapon during their daring rescue of deposed Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.Other Weapons in this Category
External links
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