Thread: Panzerfaust 60

The 'Tank Fist' was one of the most successful 'throwaway' anti-tank weapons of World War 2. Produced In huge numbers and four main variants, the Panzerfaust relied for its effect on a rocket-propelled hollow-charge warhead which could penetrate the armour of most Allied tanks over short ranges. The version illustrated here is the Panzerfaust 60, the '60' referring to its nominal effective range in metres.

Panzerfaust 60

• TYPE: Infantry anti-tank weapon fired from a one-shot disposable launcher
• DIMENSIONS: Length approximately 3 ft 6 in (1.06 m) Projectile diameter approximately 6 in (15 cm)
• WEIGHTS: Launcher and projectile 15 lb (6.8 kg) Projectile diameter approximately 6 in (15 cm)
• WEIGHTS: Launcher and projectile 15 lb (6.8 kg) Projectile 71b (3 kg) Explosive. 3.5 lb (1.59 kg)
• PERFORMANCE: Maximum range approximately 260 ft (80 m) Armour penetration up to 8 in (200 mm) when sloped at 30• from the vertical

In the Bocage country of Normandy, most of the roads and lanes were lined with hedgerows which provided plenty of hiding places for small ambush parties. Tucked out of sight, with a supply of Panzerfaust, a couple of infantrymen could hold up a column of tanks.

Once the leading tank was immobilised, the rest could either stay put or try to move across country. However as the tanks clawed their way over the earth banks, their lightly-armoured bellies were an ideal target for the ambush parties. With its nose in the air, the tank's machine guns were useless for ground level targets. The solution was the 'Rhino' hedge-buster (left)