MG34 (Germany)
| Length | 122cm / 48in |
| Weight | 11.5kg / 25.4lb |
| Muzzle velocity | 755m / 2,475ft per second |
| Cartridge | 7.92mm |
| Magazine | 50-round belt or 75-round drum |
| Rate of fire | 900 rounds per minute |
Secretly designed by the Germans in Switzerland so as not to break the Treaty of Versailles, which limited German arms production, the MG15 emerged as a high-quality, aircraft machine gun. Further developments on the type led to the land-based revision; the MG34. This heavy machine gun was again manufactured to a high standard, which was above what most other industrial nations could produce with a wartime economy.
A large number of extra conversion kits were also available to the anti-aircraft ability of the gun and they offered a variety of mounting options for different craft and situations. Its high rate of fire ensured continued support from troops who appreciated the MG34's ability to halt an attack, and demand from the forces was always high. The MG34 was used on all fronts in a variety of roles. Its rugged reliability was proved from the sands of North Africa to the frozen tundra of Russia.
Image: Matthew Reynolds
