NEW BRITISH WEAPON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21317, 1 February 1944, Page 4

NEW BRITISH WEAPON

ANTI-TANK PROJECTOR

DESTRUCTIVE POWERS

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. Jan. 30

“Piat’’ is the name of the latest British infantry weapon to be released from the secret list. The initials stand for projector, infantry, anti-tank. The weapon is designed on unorthodox principles and is a match for most types of enemy tanks at short range. The weapoii and ammunition were satisfactorily developed and produced ih a phenomenally short time and arc being turned out in quantity in the Ministry of Supply factories all over Britain. The light weight of the Piat, 331 b., compared with 351 b. of the standard British anti-lank rifle, enables it to be carried easily into the front lines. It is powerful enough to stop tanks and cause devastation against pillboxes and machine-gun nests. It is extremely accurate at the most effective range. The projector (ires 'a 2vlb. bomb which will penetrate four inches, of the finest armour plate and inflict serious damage in the interior of a tank and kill the crews. At the best range the bomb is as effective as some of the ammunition fired by the 75 m.m. field gun. 2001 b Spring- Pressure

The projector consists of a light steel tube which encloses a powerful spring developing over 2001 b. pressure. When the spring is released, it carries forward a steel rod or spigot which enters the tail of the bomb and fires tlie cartridge situated there. The explosion drives the bomb to the target and also recompresses the spring so that the recoil is absorbed and the projector ready to fire the next round. The projector can be fired from the shoulder in any position and, owing to the recoil system, the firer experiences a steady thrust instead of 'a kick. The Piat already has been in action and has been used effectively against tanks pillboxes and motor transport. The Canadians knocked out several German tanks with the weapon in a close fight in Italy, while a certain British division used it with great success against pill-boxes. On one occasion, at night, a sergeant oi a parachute brigade amoushed a German motor transport column carrying reinforcements and ammunition, and destroyed several vehicles in quick succession.