To what extent did the Germans use Infrared technology in World War II

[Rockthekazbah12]

So I know the Germans used Infrared technology on its tanks and that it saw use in combat. My question is how far did it advance? As in were there plans to put it on infantry weapons and aircraft?

Sorry if its a repost

[Evolv5]

I'm very sure that I've heard of its use and seen picture of an infrared "scope" or "sight" on a Stg-44. I'll try find my sources.

EDIT:

Voila!
http://image.bayimg.com/aajnfaabb.jpg

StG 44 assault rifle fitted with infrared night-vision device - ZG 1229 Vampir (Vampire)

So it was actually fitted with an IR light and scope.

[flanker7]

That's what I was trying to google right now. I only found pics of scale models though


Edit: http://www.achtungpanzer.com/articles/images/vampir.jpg

[flanker7]

Edit2: Crap!!!

Here's an interesting link anyway....
http://www.missing-lynx.com/articles/dio/rwpanth/rwpanth_solutions.htm

[Insane Tadpole]

I found you this link.

http://strangevehicles.greyfalcon.us/Nightfighting%20Panthers.htm

[Kilgor]

So I know the Germans used Infrared technology on its tanks and that it saw use in combat. My question is how far did it advance? As in were there plans to put it on infantry weapons and aircraft?

Sorry if its a repost



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzian_missile

[Anti_tanky]

They had also developed what could only be described as the precursor to that "cornershot" gizmo thats been making the rounds. It was an SMG with a barrel that curved just about 90 degrees, and the weapon itself had an infrared siting system.

It was all engineered around the concept of peek-a-boo shooting without exposing the infantryman to hostile enemy fire.

[Movieman]

Interesting I just saw this yesterday on Weaponology.

Apparently it was one of those crazy ideals thrown towards the end of the WW II in last ditch efforts to turn the tide of the war.

[Rockthekazbah12]

The Germans think of everything.

[Anti_tanky]

The Germans think of everything.


Thus the victors were more than happy to harvest the scientists in the waning days of WWII. It became a giant free-for-all with the soviets and the Americans rounding up as many as they can, eager to pick at their brains.

Individuals who had spent the last 5 years doing morally questionable work were granted asylum and the fruits of their labor can be seen in todays aerospace industry.

[Sixpints]

http://image.bayimg.com/aajnfaabb.jpg



I think I've seen one of those on display at the Airborne museum in Arnhem, didn't take any photo's though :(

- Can't tell if they're really used in the battle for Arnhem either.

[Chairborne Ranger]

IR technology was actually introduced prior to the war, but the benefits of it were not fully appreciated at the time. The Germans tested it early in the war, to demonstrate its feasibility, but the Army was put off by the cost of the devices. As the war went on, and the Germans suffered greater losses, they looked for alternate technologies to give them a leg up.

When the Army decided to deploy IR night vision technology, it came in the form of the IR sight attached to the commander's cupola. The "Solution-B" set up, with IR sights for commander, gunner, and driver is apparently a fiction. The IR-equipped Panther was meant to be supported by the "Uhu", a SdKfz251 halftrack equipped with a large searchlight fitted with a IR filter. This was meant to extend the range of the IR gear fitted to the Panther and allow for the engagements of targets at greater distances. In addition, there was a third variant, the "Falke" another halftrack equipped with IR sights, but no large spotlight. Instead, it carried a squad of troops equipped with the "Vampir" IR sight mounted to their StG.44 assault rifles. It was their job to protect the tanks and other vehicles from enemy infantry. Only a very small number of these units ever saw action, and then, usually deployed piecemeal.

The records for the time of the deployments are sketchy, but IR-equipped units did see combat in the last year of the war. Several examples of IR-equipped vehicles were captured by US and Brit forces at the training grounds at Fallingbostel. It was here that a armored company belonging to Panzer Division "Muncheberg" was known to have trained and been equipped with IR vehicles. That company was returned to it's parent unit, and went into combat on the Oder front as a complete battlegroup. This apparently only happened once, as the Oder front soon collapsed, forcing "Muncheberg" to fall back into Berlin. It is known that one IR panther was knocked out in the suburbs of Berlin, and a second one saw some action fighting in the city itself.

IR tech would have seen greater use if the war had continued. The "E" series of armored vehicles, meant to replace all German tanks then in existence, would have been manufactured with allowances for the mounting of IR sights.

Hope that helps a bit. If you want a good look German IR gear, pick up a copy of AFV Modeler #35. It has a excellent article on this subject, with several photos of the vehicles captured at Fallingbostel, as well as color photos of the IR sight/image converters and diagrams. :)

[Gremlin29]

The German IR gear never achieved any real results. Not to sidetrack the post but for those unaware and or interested the US fielded IR scoped rifles in the Pacific with fairly decent results.

http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/m1irsnip.htm