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RPG R-Pz. B 54 Ofenrohr

Even during the French campaign, the obvious weakness of the infantry anti-tank weapons of the Wehrmacht was revealed. The existing anti-tank rifles and guns were unable to effectively deal with the heavy French tanks. But the quick and spectacular victory lulled the vigilance of the German staff and designers, so research in this area was carried out rather sluggishly.

The experience of fighting during the invasion of the Soviet Union was a real shock for the Germans. Shells from German anti-tank rifles and guns simply bounced off the armor of the latest Soviet T-34 and KV tanks, even from the closest distance at the most favorable angles.

German designers vigorously began to develop new anti-tank systems. After receiving trophy samples of the "Bazooka" RPG, the Germans undertook a detailed study of all the design features of this weapon, and already in 1943, the "Ofenrohr" ("open pipe") RPG was adopted.

RPG R-Pz. B 54 "Ofenrohr" consists of the following parts and mechanisms: a smooth-walled tube open at both ends with three guides, a pulse generator with electrical wiring and a plug box, a trigger and a sighting device. A ring was installed on the breech of the RPG to protect the breech from damage and also made it easier to insert the grenade into the barrel. The shoulder rest was located closer to the center. Holding the weapon was carried out with the help of two handles.

When developing the shock mechanism, German designers were guided by the experience of operating Bazooka grenade launchers. It turned out that the batteries are not reliable enough in harsh operating conditions. So the Germans decided to use an induction current generator as a fuse. The pulse generator and trigger mechanism provided ignition of the grenade's reactive charge. The shock-trigger mechanism consists of a shock rod, a mainspring, a trigger with a spring and a handle.

Aiming the grenade launcher at the target was carried out with the help of two sights. The rear sight located in front of the shooter was equipped with a frame with a cutout that can be moved to aim the weapon.

Grenade RPz. Gr. 4322 to RPG Offenror was a reactive supercaliber projectile of cumulative action. The grenade consisted of two main parts: a warhead and a reactive unit. The spindle-shaped warhead contained a cumulative funnel, an explosive charge, a contact breaker with a fuse (which was removed before firing).

The jet unit housed a cruise missile engine equipped with seven tubular powder shells, an electric igniter with two conductors. There is a stabilizer with six folding feathers on the tail part.

RPG "Ofenrohr" turned out to be an extremely effective anti-tank weapon. With a relatively small weight, the grenade launcher was able to hit all the tanks of the anti-Hitler coalition at a distance of 120 meters. However, the RPG had its design flaws. When fired from a grenade launcher, a three-meter flash of fire and clouds of hot powder gases flew out of the breech section of the barrel. The grenade launcher had to ensure that no one remained near the breech of the grenade launcher during the shot. In addition, to protect himself from burns, the grenade launcher had to wear gloves and a gas mask without a filter. The gas mask limited the shooter's vision and made accurate shooting difficult.

German designers took into account the experience of using RPG "Ofenrohr" in the army, and in 1944 a new and improved version of the R-Pz grenade launcher appeared in service. B 54/1 "Panzerschreck" ("Storm of tanks"). Unlike its predecessor, "Panzerschreck" was equipped with a protective shield, which was located in front to the left of the launcher of the grenade launcher. The shield covered the head and arms of the grenade launcher from burns. Thus, there is no need to use gloves and a gas mask. Aiming was carried out through a viewing slot made in the shield, covered with tempered glass.

In addition, a new R. Pz grenade was developed for the "Panzerschreck" RPG. Gr. 4992, which, thanks to the increased charge, was able to hit targets at a distance of 180 meters.

Further improvement of the RPG led to the creation of the R. Pz modification at the end of 1944. 54/1, in which the barrel length was reduced from 1640 mm to 1350 mm. In addition, a new aiming device was installed on the grenade launcher. Since December 1944, all 107,450 RPGs at the disposal of the Wehrmacht were converted into this modification, and an order was issued for the production of 48,000 new grenade launchers of this modification. The total number of "Offenror" and "Panzerschreck" RPGs released in 1943-1944 is 314,900 units. 2,218,400 rocket-propelled grenades were made for them.

"Ofenrohr" and "Panzerschreck" grenade launchers were primarily armed with anti-tank companies of grenadier regiments of tank divisions at the rate of 36 grenade launchers per company. At the end of 1944, each Wehrmacht infantry division in the state had 130 Panzerschreck grenade launchers in active use and 22 spare RPGs. These grenade launchers were also used by some Volkssturm battalions. RPG R-Pz. B 54 "Ofenrohr" became one of the most successful and advanced weapons of the Second World War; thanks to Panzerschrecks, German infantrymen were able to provide effective anti-tank defense.