The RPG-43 was an anti-tank grenade used by the Soviet Union during World War II.
Description[]
The RPG-43 was an upgraded version of its predecessor, the RPG-40 and used a High Explosive Anti-Tank warhead instead of the previous High Explosive type. With 0.61 kg of TNT as its explosive and the new shaped charge configuration, the RPG-43 was a capable anti-tank weapon, though its short range meant that the user had to get far closer to the target than the contemporary American M1 Bazooka, British PIAT, or German Panzerfaust. The range was also noticeably lowered to just about 20 - 30 meters because of the fact that the RPG-43, like other anti-tank grenades, was heavier than the standard grenade.[1]
In practice, the RPG-43 could penetrate up to 75 mm worth of armor plate at a 90˚ angle. The grenade itself weighed about 1.25 kg and had a diameter of 95 mm. To arm, the operator simply pulled out the safety ring and threw. To help direct the grenade for optimal detonation (front first), the RPG-43 had a fabric tail hidden away in the cone-shaped region under the main warhead.[2] This would fall out during flight and let the fabric open up.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the RPG-43 was that it was very cheap and easy to mass produce and simple enough to use that any infantryman could be taught its operation almost immediately.[3]
History[]
Development[]
The RPG-43 was developed in the years immediately following the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The then-in-service RPG-40 proved somewhat effective against light German vehicles such as the Panzer I or Panzer II, especially when thrown against vehicle tracks or engine compartments. Somewhat effective was deemed effective enough for further development and thus the RPG-43 was created in 1943 to fill some of the gaps in Red Army anti-tank capability.
Usage[]
Following its introduction in 1943, the RPG-43 was well received and quickly replaced the older RPG-40 as one of the standard anti-tank weapons of the Soviet infantry. Despite its flaws, the RPG-43 went on to serve for many years after the war in various military arsenals. In all, millions of grenades were produced and many are still used today in third world countries.
References[]
- ↑ Rottman, Gordon L. World War II Infantry Anti-Tank Tactics. Osprey Publishing (2005), Page 18
- ↑ http://www.inert-ord.net/russ02i/rpg43/
- ↑ http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=438
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