Panzerfaust 30

Go Back to Man-Portable Rocket Launcher

Go Back To Weapons Home

	Weapon: Panzerfaust 30 Type: Man-Portable Rocket Launcher Country of Origin: Germany Year Adopted: 1943 Caliber: 100mm Action: Recoilless Gun Overall Length (mm): 800.0 Weight (kg): 6.00 Effective Range (m): 30

The Panzerfaust 30 was an early version of Germany's iconic disposable anti-tank weapon developed during World War II. Designed by the German engineer Heinrich Langweiler, it became operational in 1943. This simple yet effective weapon consisted of a hollow tube with a single-shot propulsion system and a warhead capable of penetrating up to 200mm of armor at close range. Weighing only 3.25 kg and having an effective range of 30 meters, the Panzerfaust 30 was optimized for urban and close-quarter combat, enabling infantry to engage heavily armored vehicles with relative ease.

The production of the Panzerfaust 30 ramped up quickly to meet the demands of Germany's defensive strategy in the later years of the war. Thousands were produced by various German manufacturers, leveraging simple construction techniques to ensure rapid deployment. While effective at short distances, its limited range and single-use nature necessitated close proximity to the target, exposing the user to significant danger. Despite this, the weapon became a symbol of Germany's resourceful approach to combating Allied armored advances during the conflict.

The Panzerfaust 30 earned notoriety for its role in the desperate defensive battles of 1944-1945, particularly on the Eastern Front where it was extensively used against Soviet armor. Its ease of use allowed inexperienced troops, including members of the Volkssturm, to engage enemy tanks effectively. However, its short range and one-time usability highlighted the technological and strategic limitations of the late-war German war effort. Today, the Panzerfaust 30 is remembered as a precursor to modern man-portable anti-tank systems and a poignant artifact of World War II's brutal ground combat.