This book explores the origins, development, combat use and lasting influence of Nazi Germany's automatic rifles, focusing on the Gew 41(W), Gew 43/Kar 43, FG 42 and MP 43/StG 44. The Blitzkrieg campaigns of 1939 40 convinced many observers that most infantry combat took place at closer ranges than the 750 1,000m. From 1941 Germany's arms designers took note and produced a new series of infantry f...