Re: Shturmovik Il-2 and Il-10

[Joe Brennan <jbren1@optonline.net>]

The KPA used Soviet 14.5mm (around 57cal but you see them referred to as
55cal) antitank rifles. The nominal scale of issue, same as late WWII Soviet
divisions, was 9 in the AT platoon of each battalion and another 36 in the
AT battalion of each division, which was mainly armed with 45mm AT guns. US
intel reports of time say 12.7mm DShK MG's were sometimes subsituted.

There were 2 main models: PTRD, single shot bolt action, and PTRS, 5 shot
semi-auto. I've seen references to both being given to NK but captured ones
in photo's and museums all seem to be PTRD's. Armor penetration ability was
around 1".

Tables of US tanks losses by cause in Op Research reports don't mention AT
rifle cases specifically. There's at least one description of them harassing
USMC tanks by shooting out vision blocks and antennae.  On paper they
couldn't have penetrated M4's or M26/46's but might have M24's at least
sides and SP AAA vehicles the US used for infantry support from any angle.

References to them nowadays mention use as long range sniper rifles, but
maybe writers now just assume they were used that way because that's how
large caliber rifles are used now. I guess NK AT riflemen would shoot at
American infantry or any other target they could, but no telescopic sights
or any indication they were given to highly trained snipers AFAIK.

Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: <ChosinMead@aol.com>
To: <KOREAN-WAR-L@raven.cc.ku.edu>
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 1:01 AM
Subject: Re: Shturmovik Il-2 and Il-10


> <PRE>Speaking of .50 caliber weapons, when we arrived at Hagaru from
Yudam-ni, I
> contacted a buddy from the 1st regiment. He had a .50 caliber rifle that
he
> had captured from the bad guys. If I remember correctly, it was either
bolt
> action, or breech loading. I do remember that it weighed about 40 pounds,
and
> could not be fired w/o a bipod or other supporting device. I didn't and I
> don't know of anyone else who was foolish enough to fire that monster. I
have
> always wondered what a single shot .50 caliber rifle was used for? Anyone
> have any idea what that rifle was or what it was used for? Lee