First To Fight Kits 1/72 German Infantry Support Weapons # 020

The German Infantry Support Weapons of the Second World War were a crucial element of the Wehrmacht, providing the firepower needed to support frontline troops in a wide range of combat situations.

German doctrine placed heavy emphasis on coordinated support weapons to maximise the effectiveness of infantry units.

At the heart of the infantry squad was the MG34, later complemented and partially replaced by the MG42.

These machine guns delivered a high rate of fire and were the primary source of suppressive fire, with riflemen supporting the gun team.

This approach gave German squads significant firepower compared to many of their contemporaries.

Mortars played a vital role in providing indirect fire support.

Weapons such as the 5cm light mortar and the widely used 8 cm Granatwerfer 34 allowed infantry units to engage enemies behind cover, in trenches, or within buildings.

These mortars were highly valued for their flexibility and rapid deployment.

For close artillery support, German infantry units were equipped with infantry guns like the 7.5 cm leIG 18.

These guns could be brought forward to directly engage strongpoints, bunkers, and defensive positions, providing immediate fire support where heavier artillery was not available.

Anti-tank capability was provided by weapons such as the PaK 36, which was effective against early-war tanks but became less capable as enemy armour improved.

Infantry also used anti-tank rifles, shaped charges, and later handheld weapons to counter armoured threats.

Additional support came from grenades, flamethrowers, and heavy machine guns, all of which enhanced the infantry’s ability to deal with a wide variety of battlefield challenges.

These weapons allowed German infantry units to operate with a high degree of independence and adaptability.

Overall, German infantry support weapons were a key factor in the effectiveness of early-war German tactics—providing a balanced combination of firepower, flexibility, and coordination that enabled infantry units to perform effectively across multiple combat roles.