A Historic Look at Germany's Remarkable MG42 Machine Gun

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The MG34 laid down withering fire during Germany’s Blizkrieg victories early in WWII, but it was the MG42, designed to replace that MG34, that has had the greatest influence since the end of that war. As good as the MG34 was, it was too expensive and production too time consuming for Germany’s wartime needs. Already by 1937, designs for a replacement were being evaluated. As a result, the MG42, which was less expensive to produce, entered production in 1942. Even though the MG34 remained in production until the end of the War, about 75,000 more MG42s were produced. Although the MG42 was still a well-made weapon, there was not as much precision machining as with the MG34, which aided reliability in dust, snow, mud, etc. One of the most noteworthy features of the MG42, especially among those who faced it in combat, was its high cyclic rate: 1,200 RPM!

As was the MG34, the MG42 was recoil-operated and air-cooled. However, it employed a recoil-operated roller locking action. In simple terms, the bolt incorporated rollers; when the bolt entered the barrel extension, these rollers locked into grooves on the barrel extension. When the expansion chamber in the MG42’s muzzle device forced gases back against the locked barrel and bolt, the rollers were cammed out of their locking grooves allowing the bolt to move rearward to cycle the action. Also, the MG42 made use of pressings and stampings from carbon steel with spot welding and riveting wherever possible. As a result, an MG42 took about half the man-hours to complete as an MG34 and required about 60% of the raw materials.

Prototypes when tested proved to be more rugged and reliable than the MG34. The MG42’s quick-change barrel could be switched out quickly (four to seven seconds by a skilled assistant gunner), but the system was not well-suited to switching of MGs installed on armored vehicles as Panzers were produced with mounting points designed for the MG34. Also, the MG42’s barrel had to be changed through the side of the jacket, which was difficult within the confines of armored vehicles. Because of the MG42’s high cyclic rate, the barrel heated up more quickly, thus barrel changes were frequent. However, in combat, ability to utilize its quick-change barrel was necessary; so MG34’s remained standard for many vehicles. Continued use of the MG34, which showed a propensity for jamming, caused complaints later from some Panzer officers on the Eastern Front.

Early in 1942, the new machine gun was officially adopted with manufacturing taking place at Großfuß AG, Mauser-Werke AG, Gustloff-Werke, and Steyr-Daimler-Puch, and MAGET (Maschinenbau und Gerätebau GmbH, Berlin-Tegel). Once the MG42 was deployed, it showed its reliability in the sands of North Africa and the ice, slush, and snow of Russia. Even after the MG42 had proven itself in combat, German engineers continued to experiment with making the MG42 quicker and less expensive while retaining its effectiveness. However, as Germany went on the defensive in all theaters, there was little interest in tinkering with assembly lines.

It is interesting that MG42 gunners were trained to fire the weapon from the hip by pressing the stock against the body with the bicep and grabbing the folded bipod with the support hand. Presumably, the sling was used unless the gunner was very strong. This is especially the case when fatigue from combat and lack of hot food have taken their toll, though adrenalin might kick in for firing a couple of bursts. Normally, however, in most battlefield scenarios the gunner would be firing off the bipod while prone or from cover off the tripod. From what I’ve read, German gunners were trained to use five-to ten-round bursts in most combat situations. German gunners were also trained to fire up to 15 well-aimed bursts per minute. Based on my experience firing the MG42, I would agree that this is a reasonable tactical use of the weapon, especially given its high cyclic rate, which would likely degrade control on longer bursts. I found that recoil and vibration became noticeable when firing longer bursts.

Due to the fact that a large proportion of German infantrymen during WWII were armed with bolt-action 98k rifles, the Wehrmacht issued more machine guns to a typical infantry company than did the Americans. While a German infantry company (circa 1944) consisted of 150 men, the TO&E (Table of Organization and Equipment) called for 15 general purpose machine guns (GPMGs). By comparison, a US Infantry Company consisted of about 200 men and fielded five BARs (Browning Automatic Rifles) and two M1919A4 machine guns in a Light Machine Gun Section. Additionally, a US Infantry Company had a mortar section with three 60mm mortars. As can be seen, the German Infantry Company, even though only about ¾ the size of a US Infantry Company, had more than twice the number of automatic weapons, and the bulk of those in the US company were BARs.

I have seen references to the fact that German doctrine was that the infantry supported the machine guns more than the machine guns supporting the infantry. A good illustration of this is as follows:

Six-Man MG42 Crew:

1. Junior NCO/Gunner: armed with a pistol or MP40.
2. Loader/Assistant Gunner: in charge of feeding ammo into the MG, armed with a pistol.
3. Crewman: carried spare quick-change barrels and ammo (usually two 300-round cans), who also acted as a spotter, armed with an MP40.
4. Crewman: in charge of transporting the tripod and giving close protection of the weapons team, armed with an MP40.
5. Crewman: carried entrenching tools and ammunition, armed with a 98k rifle.
6. Crewman: carried gun cleaning gear and more ammo, armed with a 98k rifle.

German battlefield doctrine for use of the machine gun stressed surprise, fire and movement, coordinated fire, conserving ammo, and moving to alternate firing positions. These would normally be applicable on the offense or defense. However, when on the defensive, the MG42 was normally mounted on the tripod. When covering German troops who were advancing, positions on high ground that allowed the MG42 to cover troop deployments were chosen, focusing on enemy strong points or centers of resistance. If the enemy launched a counterattack the MG42 would be used to break it. As German troops advanced through or past resistance, the GPMGs would follow and move to a new commanding position.

Whether on the attack or defense, the MG42s were sited to lay down enfilading or crossfire against the enemy. On the defense, the mobility of the MG42 was invaluable, as they would frequently be moved among pre-dug firing pits to confuse the enemy about their numbers and locations. Another tactical advantage granted to a German Infantry Company by the number of MG42s was the in-depth wall of bullets in those 15 MG42s could create for their enemy to cross. Although the name “Hitler’s Buzzsaw” was sometimes applied to the MG34, more often, because of its high cyclic rate, the designation was used by Allied troops for the MG42.

On the negative side, MG42 teams became bullet magnets for enemy artillery, mortars, snipers, and machine guns. As the war progressed, the Germans were severely outgunned. For example, between 1939 and 1945, Germany produced 159,000 artillery pieces, while the Allies produced 914,600, more than half of those by the Soviet Union. Germany produced 674,280 machine guns during that period while the allies produced 4,744,484. (Stats from Chris McNab’s MG34 and MG42 Machine Guns, Osprey WEAPON series.) As good as the MG34 and MG42 were, and as well-trained as their crews were, overwhelming fire could be brought against them; not to mention that during the later years of the war, Allied air power could be used to strafe or bomb them at will. More and more, German machine gun crews had to use hit-and-run tactics to survive.

For this article, I got a chance to do a lot of firing with the MG42. Actually, I fired the MG34 and the MG42 on the same day, so I got a chance to compare the two. I’ll admit I found the MG34, with its slender ventilated jacket, more “elegant” in appearance than the MG42 with its thicker, squared, stamped jacket. Most controls were similar, no doubt so that troops who had trained on the MG34 could quickly transition. A couple of features I liked about the MG34 remained with the MG42: the good-sized cocking handle, and the butt stock well shaped for placing the support hand when firing the MG42. Unlike the MG34, there is not the option of firing semi-auto.

Given the high cyclic rate that makes placement of a shot or shots on a non-area-target more difficult. In fact, that high cyclic rate, which may have seemed useful for hosing down large numbers of advancing troops on the Russian Front, was the major disadvantage of the MG42. I found I had trouble firing fewer than five shots before I could “get off of” the trigger. Maybe with practice, I could get that down to three or four shots. Firing at three silhouette targets at 200 yards, I managed some hits on the targets, but under 50%. I will admit, though, that even when firing longer bursts the MG42 was reliable. The simple “V-notch” rear and post front sights did not enhance accuracy. The MG42 was an area fire weapon, and it could saturate that area.

Barrel changes are quick, though we did not try them with a hot barrel since there is not a handle as on many other GPMGs and we didn’t have heavy canvas gloves. As I found with the MG34, the bipod of the MG42 is sturdy, which helps with the vibration of the MG42 when firing longer bursts. Loading the first rounds onto the feed tray is easy and sure, which would have been useful in combat. I actually prefer the MG34 to the MG42 for its slower cyclic rate and ability to choose single shots. However, the MG42’s reliability and ease of production made it a better choice for the combat Germans forces faced during the later years of WWII.

Obviously, the MG42 holds an important place in the history of the GPMG, especially given the extensive combat it saw during WWII. The MG42 is also important for the influence it has had on later GPMGs. Many countries produced variants of the MG42 during the post war years. When the West German Army (Bundeswehr) was re-constituted in 1955, the MG3 version of the MG42 was their GPMG. Yugoslavia manufactured the MG42 as the M53 and later Steyr produced the MG74 as a modernized version of the MG42. I will be doing follow-up articles on the M53 and MG74 in the future. Captured MG42s, or those purchased by arms brokers after WWII, have turned up in various conflicts during the post-WWII years.

Use of the roller locking system has also been influential in later weapon designs. Heckler & Koch has especially employed roller delayed blowback operating systems in its G3, HK33, and MP5 among other weapons like the Spanish CETME, which also used this system. The Swiss Stgw57 is another roller delayed blowback design that saw service use.

In WWII, Germany found itself facing greater and greater numbers of enemies with declining manpower and resources. The MG42 was an effort to more effectively use resources and to compensate for superior numbers and firepower of its enemies. It may have been Hitler’s “Buzzsaw,” but to push the analogy there were too many trees in the forest!

MG42 SPECS

• Action: Recoil Operated, Roller-Delayed Blowback
• Caliber: 7.92x57mm
• Overall Length: 48 in.
• Barrel Length: 20.9 in.
• Weight: 25.6 lbs.
• Feed Device: 250-round Belt, 50-round Belt Drum
• Sights: Rear—Notch, Front—Post, Optical Sights and Anti-Aircraft Sights Available
• Cyclic Rate: 1,200 RPM

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