Nahvertiedigungswaffe?

[panzerboy39]

I know that the panther and King tiger were outfitted with the nahvertiedigungswaffe anti-infantry system, but how exactly did it work? what is the literal translation of the term and is there a short form abbr. for it?

panzers forward,

panzerboy39

[Frank Schneider]

The translation of "Nahverteidigungswaffe" would be close-in defence weapon. No idea though on how it works. Maybe some kind of gun that can shoot at very close distance from the hull (a pistol through a small port hole?)

Just guessing here.

Frank.

[Greg]

Frank hit the translation on the head. I don't know of the official abbreviation. The one on the Tiger II fired a close-range frag grenade through a port in the turret roof. The Jentz books on the Tiger II have some more detail, will have to look it up at home.

Regards,
Greg

[TMurray]

Have a look at this link

http://www.custermen.net/nahvert/nah.htm

regards Thomas

[cbo]

Wonder if the Germans got the idea from the British? The Nahverteidigungs-thinghy seems to function like the 2" bomb-thrower mounted in British tanks from ca. 1939 and in American tanks from ca. 1942?

[TMurray]

Claus, you may be right, the Churchill Infantry Tank had 'anti ambush' devices such as a smoke grenade launcher. I believe (havent seen) the muzzle was external and the breach was loaded internally and fired.

Thomas.

[panzerboy39]

Awesome! Now I know!

Have a look at this link

http://www.custermen.net/nahvert/nah.htm

regards Thomas

Thanks Thomas!

This day marks the very first day of my new life that i actually know what a 'N-waffe' looks like and operates! I never really notice the 'N-waffe' turret port on 1/35 scale models. Are they there?

panzers forward!

panzerboy39

[TMurray]

Hi Panzerboy

Yeah that's a great website, plenty of information and some good diagrams, even some infor on the types of ammo used, interesting concept.

cheers Thomas

[timekiller]

There is another fact not mentioned yet:<o></o>

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“Nahverteidigungswaffe” is first of all a generell word for any weapon used in man-to-man-fight, for exaple knifes, guns and grenades.<o></o>

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It is used in the “Nahkampf” (“close-fight”), normally whenever soldiers are fighting face-to-face.<o></o>