During World War II, the Soviet Union (often referred to as Russia) employed a diverse array of machine guns, ranging from light and heavy machine guns to the iconic submachine guns that became synonymous with the Red Army.
Key Soviet Machine Guns of World War II
The Red Army's arsenal included several highly effective machine guns, each fulfilling specific battlefield roles. These firearms were crucial for providing suppressing fire, supporting infantry advances, and defending positions.
Submachine Guns (SMGs)
Submachine guns were vital for close-quarters combat, particularly in urban environments and during rapid offensives. They offered a high rate of fire at short to medium ranges, making them popular with infantry.
- PPSh-41 (Pistolet-Pulemyot Shpagina model 1941): This was by far the most common Soviet submachine gun of the Second World War. Its robust and simple design, coupled with a high rate of fire and a large capacity drum or stick magazine, made it a formidable weapon. Prior to 1940, the armed forces of the USSR had employed submachine guns only on a limited scale, but the experience of the early war rapidly accelerated their adoption, with the PPSh-41 becoming a ubiquitous sight on the Eastern Front. It was widely produced and saw extensive post-war service with armies supplied by the USSR. For more details, see PPSh-41.
- PPS-43 (Pistolet-Pulemyot Sudaeva model 1943): Developed later in the war, the PPS-43 was simpler and cheaper to produce than the PPSh-41, making it well-suited for the besieged city of Leningrad. It was lighter and more compact, favored by tank crews and reconnaissance units.
- PPD-40 (Pistolet-Pulemyot Degtyaryova model 1940): An earlier design, the PPD-40 was more complex and expensive to manufacture than its successor, the PPSh-41, leading to its eventual replacement.
Light Machine Guns (LMGs)
Light machine guns provided squad-level automatic fire, giving infantry units crucial sustained firepower on the move.
- DP-27/DP-28 (Degtyaryov Pulemyot model 1927/1928): Known as the "record player" due to its distinctive pan magazine mounted on top, the DP-27 was the primary Soviet light machine gun throughout WWII. It was reliable, relatively light, and provided sustained fire, making it a critical asset for infantry squads. Its later variant, the DP-28, featured minor improvements. Learn more about the DP machine gun.
Medium and Heavy Machine Guns (MMGs/HMGs)
These machine guns offered sustained, long-range suppressive fire and anti-aircraft capabilities, often mounted on tripods, vehicles, or specialized anti-aircraft mounts.
- Maxim M1910 (Pulemyot Maksima model 1910): An enduring design from the turn of the century, the water-cooled Maxim M1910 was the standard medium machine gun of the Imperial Russian Army and continued its service with the Red Army throughout WWII. It was renowned for its reliability and sustained fire capability, often used for static defense and indirect fire. Explore its history here: Maxim gun.
- SG-43 Goryunov (Stankovyy Goryunova model 1943): Introduced in 1943 as a replacement for the Maxim M1910, the air-cooled SG-43 was simpler, lighter, and more economical to produce. It quickly became a standard medium machine gun in the latter half of the war, mounted on wheeled carts or tripods.
- DShK (Degtyaryov-Shpagin Krupnokalibernyy model 1938): A heavy machine gun chambered in 12.7x108mm, the DShK served primarily as an anti-aircraft and anti-materiel weapon. It was capable of engaging aircraft, light armored vehicles, and fortified positions, mounted on specialized tripods or vehicle turrets. More information can be found at DShK.
Overview of Prominent Soviet Machine Guns
| Type | Model | Primary Role | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submachine Gun | PPSh-41 | Close-quarters combat, infantry assault | High rate of fire, large capacity drum/stick magazines, robust, easy to mass-produce |
| Submachine Gun | PPS-43 | Compact close-quarters, vehicle crews | Lighter, simpler, easier to manufacture than PPSh-41, folding stock |
| Light Machine Gun | DP-27/DP-28 | Squad support, sustained infantry fire | Pan magazine, air-cooled, bipod-mounted, reliable |
| Medium Machine Gun | Maxim M1910 | Sustained suppressive fire, static defense | Water-cooled, tripod/wheeled mount, very reliable, long service life |
| Medium Machine Gun | SG-43 Goryunov | General-purpose sustained fire | Air-cooled, simpler design, lighter than Maxim M1910, introduced later in war |
| Heavy Machine Gun | DShK | Anti-aircraft, anti-materiel, heavy support | 12.7mm caliber, high penetration, mounted on tripods or vehicles |
These machine guns formed the backbone of the Red Army's firepower, playing a critical role in repelling the Axis invasion and ultimately achieving victory in World War II.
