So why a Finnish Anti-Tank Rifle? Especially if I am using my project for Tunisia winter 42/43? Well it's not so far fetched as you would think. First off a Anti-tank rifle on ski's is to cool not to use. Secondly the units I'm loosely basing my Fallschirmjagers on did extraordinary things in Belgium, France, and Crete before being transferred to.....you guessed it Russia....more specifically Leningrad...do you know how close Leningrad is to Finland? Pretty close. So as I stated not to far fetched for a Finnish Anti-Tank rifle to end up in the hands of Fallschirmjagers.
I really do not think the Fallschirmjager had this weapon in North Africa. No pictorial evidence (I await to be corrected) and where would the ammunition resupply come from, for an exotic piece. Also the AT rifles were basically defunct by 1943. Simon
ReplyDeleteI think this is far more about the "rule of cool" than it is about strict historical accuracy. I mean, a crank wound main spring? Bonkers!
DeleteBesides the Italians used 20mm rifles (Solothurn S-18/1000), and the Germans could have "acquired" one from them (as the 2cm Panzerabwehrbüchse 785 (i)), and this stands in for it. Boom.
It is def the rule of cool Lasgunpacker…I’m just having fun with my minis.
DeleteClearly the burden of proof is on the party claiming it could not be in North Africa. You need to panzerschreck your privillege mate.
DeleteWhile there isn't specific documentation confirming the use of Lahti L-39 rifles by German forces in North Africa, it's plausible that they could have been used there. The Germans captured various weapons and equipment during their campaigns, and the Lahti L-39, with its powerful 20mm rounds, would have been a valuable asset for anti-tank and anti-material purposes.
ReplyDeleteThe harsh desert environment of North Africa would have posed challenges for any weapon, but the Lahti L-39's robust design might have made it suitable for such conditions. However, its large size and weight could have made it less practical for the highly mobile warfare typical of the North African campaign.
If you have any more questions about historical weapons or military history, feel free to ask!