German tracer MG34/42 ammo WWII - Question

D

domus.don

Regular
Uber Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
68   0   0
Hey,
I was going to start this post with "does someone know" but I haven't seen any unanswered questions on here in a while so "to someone who knows more then I";

What was the Werhmacht SOP for loading tracers in MG belts in WWII... I read some say 3 MG rounds then one tracer and I've read some 4 MG rounds followed by a tracer? Does someone have an actual WWII dated manual or transcript?

I am inclined to think 1 then 4 like more modern loads but I would like more info. It must of also varied when the MGs played AA rolls? And "shoot" whatever you have when the Russians charged ;)

Thanks,
 
I would think because of its high cyclic rate of fire the trace rounds would be spaced out more say one in ten if not more . one in five would effectively make it a laser and disclose your position.( tracers work both way's! Eh!) Ground usage , the doctrine for Aviation and navel usage could be ( and most likely ) different. Then you got the grunt factor ( the guys loading the belts) they will and do load how ever they want or can . use what you got ! Do with what you have! From what that I have read and been told , a string of tracers were usely used at the end of a belt to announce the end was near. And was time to break off and get out of Dodge ( fighter pilot 's).:50cal:
 
Hey Drm3m sence you got the book , got a question for you what did the germams use for the Aviation machine guns ? Did they use them metal linked belts or did they have something else? I am aware of the saddle mount drums, I thinking more like for in the wing mounted guns.
 
I have a 1500 round box.
IMG_0345.jpg


IMG_0343.jpg


IMG_0341.jpg


IMG_0338.jpg
 
It seems that it could be 1 in three and three at the end of the belt so you know your belt is done. They made 250 round belts for fixed position defense for mg34/42
 
can14 said:
It seems that it could be 1 in three and three at the end of the belt so you know your belt is done. They made 250 round belts for fixed position
defense for mg34/42
Click to expand...
Is that fact and in a manual or just a belief? At CAT 83 we tried putting five trace at the end of a belt when knocking down falling plates but you do not even see the trace. What I found trace GREAT for was indicating targets to co-located vehicles so everyone could get in the party, some bright spark was firing the 76 at a big f,ing rock when the plywood target (NOT being shot) was about 50M off to the side till I did the old "watch my trace" over the radio. You would think one would know you where at belts end when the empty belt dropped off the MG and you could not fire any longer. Interesting question about wartime belts/trace OP
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom