Piats

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by kingarthur, Jun 24, 2010.

  1. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The PIAT. Probably the most hated weapon ever. For a start, you had to get very close, "if" you succeeded in taking out a tank, the Panzergrenadiers would certainly get you. I have had the doubtful privilege of a suicidal forward position, in front of every one with the PIAT. Fortunately the panzers went in another direction.

    IT often took two men to load the spring. It had to be fired from a prone position. legs closed, and no tree behind you. As the PIAT is fired, roll sideways, as the FIN comes straight back at the handler. It has a kick like an angry donkey.

    It is very efficient if any one manages to get close enough. It creates a burned hole in the steel (about an inch or less) and the explosive follows through... spreading the occupants around the inside like jam (Strawberry)

    I have head many tales of them being fired from the hip...... I challenge anyone to fire it from the hip..The recoil would break your back. There is the fact that the projectile is "Placed in the tray".... LOOSE, and movement at all the bomb falls out the bloody tray.

    It is only effective against tanks, as it does not make shrapnel or blast.. The casing on exploding forms into a solid shot, that burns through the tank, for the blast to follow into the interior.

    It was a dogs breakfast. many tried to lose the bloody awful things..To repeat, I have read it had been fired from the hip....... I am deadly serious when I say the recoil would break your spine You certainly not aim it in a standing position, its too heavy and cumbersome.....

    I write this... only because the panzers that were heard revving up, did not come my way. For there was no way I would get back from that dug out in the forward position. I was totally isolated...(Near Weert, in Holland by the way)
    Sapper
     
  2. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    PS It did have one useful purpose. If fired at a cliff, it would make a neat hole into stone about 6 feet deep. That was then packed with explosives "at the end of the hole" That was blown. Then the cavity was stuffed with Amanol and a detonator..That brought down the whole bloody cliff face... BOYS TOYS !

    I got quite expert a dropping trees in exactly the right place... More Big boys toys.

    Not to mention the ultimate boys toys fishing gear... A pound of gun cotton and primer and detonator, with a bit of black safety fuse lit from your cigarette, and thrown into the river.... Here at my home I have a picture of the lads holding up their "Catches" Salmon and trout .... While in Scotland..
    Sapper
     
    DPas likes this.
  3. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Great read Sapper, its great to hear actual accounts of equipment and experiences
     
  4. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Hot air manufacturer

    Ahhh, Sapper, we already knew your love for the dear thing :)
     
  5. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

  6. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Thanks Tom the was a good read

    Dave
     
  7. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    [URL="http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr245/Verrieres/other/mere002-1.jpg[/IMG"]http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr245/Verrieres/other/mere002-1.jpg[/IMG[/URL]]


    I thought you might like this from Terry Deary`s Dirty Little Imps


    Verrieres
     
  8. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Thanks guys,this is all good research for my book
     
  9. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Kingarthur, the previous ref to Major Cain doesen't tell the whole story. If you google 'Major Cain Arnhem' you will find many leads and accounts of his actions that earned him a VC. Extraordinary story.
    He was also I believe Jeremy Clarkson's Father in Law and I recall seeing a documentary on VC winners where Clarkson recalled Cain's actions. Apparently it wasn't until Cain's death that Clarkson knew he had won a VC.

    Mike
     
  10. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Yes you are correct about the Jezzer connection,I have actually just written to him,thanks for the heads up.
     
  11. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Let us know if you get a reply from the petrolhead! (man after my own heart).
     
  12. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Hes a friend of a friend, I did meet him at a top gear recording sometime ago and was introduced to him, nice guy
     
  13. Driver-op

    Driver-op WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I have never had the pleasure of firing one in anger, although I was behind one on many a stand to. At OCTU we fired them a number of times, more often than not with a nonexplosive head, the kick was no worse than anything else. Later I became an officer instructor at an Initial Training Unit, and one of our rookies was killed when he hunched his shoulder in anticipation of the alleged vicious kick. The nose of the PIAT dropped so low when he fired, the bomb detonated just in front and the tail came back and killed him. We were also trained to use it as a mortar.
     
  14. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Thanks for your input Driver


    Dave
     
  15. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    It really does sound like an unforgiving weapon when things go wrong.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  16. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    We were also trained to use it as a mortar.

    That's interesting as accounts in NW Europe seem to suggest that increasingly this is the role it was used for, especially in operations within urban areas.
     
  17. Driver-op

    Driver-op WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    May I make the point that the PIAT bomb did not lay lose in the tray, the rear end of the tail was held by clips. The spigot could then accurately enter the tail to fire the propelling cartridge, and recock that ruddy great spring.
     
  18. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    More often than not, it was carried around in a three tonner. And the general feeling was that..."the proper place for it" stuffed away out of sight
    Sapper
     
  19. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    There doesnt seem to be much love lost on this piece of equipment.Perhaps someone should a poll on the forum 'What was the most disliked piece of kit of World War Two'.
     
  20. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Paul posted some interesting contemporary responses to a 'Battle Experience Questionnaire' a while back:

    WW2Talk - Battle Experience Questionnaire

    PIAT
    Great blasting power, men who know how to use it, love it

    Sometimes the PIAT is used as a mortar, by holding it at a very high angle. The blast and morale effect on the enemy is great, and it is particularly useful for firing over buildings, in street fighting....is also good for use in dead ground. it has been successfully used on snipers, by firing through walls and roofs. Any improvement on this weapon would only increase its usefullness, such as greater range and lighter weapon.

    Couple more questionnaires accessible from that thread.
     

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