How does PIAT fire?

[psychonana]

Use that big spring?

thanks

[JoaMei]

Originally Posted by psychonana

Use that big spring?

thanks

Yes, by using that Spring. And sometimes its breaks the shoulder of the person who is firing...

[psychonana]

Thanks! It's unbelievable it can "fly" 375 yards by using that spring.
And How does it fire the mortar ammo? Also use that spring?

[Tony Williams]

The spring doesn't fire the projectile: there's a small blank cartridge that does that. The spring cocks the weapon: when it is fired, the spring releases and the firing pin flies forward to fire the cartridge. The recoil of the shot then pushes the spring back and recocks it.

The reason that the spring is so powerful is that it is intended to absorb the recoil of the shot, since the weapon is neither a rocket (like the Bazooka) nor a recoilless gun (like the Panzerfaust). Without the spring, the recoil would probably tear the firer's shoulder off!

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and discussion forum

[psychonana]

Thanks MASTER!!
If I'd like to fire PIAT, I have to load the cartridge and projectile.
After firing, all I have to do is reload the cartridge and projectile, no need to pull that spring again.
Are they true?

[Hydro]

Originally Posted by psychonana

Thanks MASTER!!
If I'd like to fire PIAT, I have to load the cartridge and projectile.
After firing, all I have to do is reload the cartridge and projectile, no need to pull that spring again.
Are they true?

Yes. In theory.


What sometimes happened was the spring wouldn't re cock itself fully, and so had to be recocked manually.

[Johnny_H]

Originally Posted by JoaMei

Yes, by using that Spring. And sometimes its breaks the shoulder of the person who is firing...

It was my understanding that the personal injury to the user's shoulder was more caused by the fact that it was so hard to cock the bloody thing.

[psychonana]

Thanks for answering.

Originally Posted by Hydroquip

Yes. In theory.


be recocked manually.

Someone told me that's a tragedy.

[Freibier]

My tanker grandfather had much respect for the PIAT as it had almost no muzzle signature and therefore was much harder to spot than e.g. a bazooka

[Tony Williams]

Originally Posted by Freibier

My tanker grandfather had much respect for the PIAT as it had almost no muzzle signature and therefore was much harder to spot than e.g. a bazooka

Yes, it also had the advantage that it could be from fired from inside a small room, as there was no exhaust or backblast.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and discussion forum

[DeltaWhisky58]

Major Robert Cain VC* - possibly the best VC of the entire war - won his VC for a series of amazing feats during the Arnhem landings of Sept 1944. He single handedly destroyed numerous AFVs using a PIAT, and despite being wounded several times was able to escape across the Rhine.

* N.B. Jeremy Clarkson fans - Robert Cain was the father of Mrs Clarkson

[SamHamam]

Originally Posted by DeltaWhisky58

Major Robert Cain VC* - possibly the best VC of the entire war - won his VC for a series of amazing feats during the Arnhem landings of Sept 1944. He single handedly destroyed numerous AFVs using a PIAT, and despite being wounded several times was able to escape across the Rhine.

* N.B. Jeremy Clarkson fans - Robert Cain was the father of Mrs Clarkson

Not quite, Cain won his VC partially for his actions with a 6 pdr not a PIAT. there were however other instances where VCs were awarded for actions with the PIAT.

[DeltaWhisky58]

Originally Posted by SamHamam

Not quite, Cain won his VC partially for his actions with a 6 pdr not a PIAT. there were however other instances where VCs were awarded for actions with the PIAT.

Such splitting of hairs is hardly necessary - I was purely pointing out this instance and did not state that his award was solely for using a PIAT, neither did I state it was the only award.

As they say in certain quarters "Wind yer neck in"!

[SamHamam]

Originally Posted by DeltaWhisky58

Such splitting of hairs is hardly necessary - I was purely pointing out this instance and did not state that his award was solely for using a PIAT, neither did I state it was the only award.

As they say in certain quarters "Wind yer neck in"!

A 6 Pdr is rather different to a PAIT - hardly splitting hairs, but if you want to take the correction personally be my guest. Maj Cain was a member of my old regt which is how come I am rather familiar with the citation, well before Clarkson's excellent TV programme.

One of the best PIAT VCs was

Originally Posted by London Gazette, 20 December 1944

In Italy on the night of 21st-22nd October 1944, a Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were selected as the spearhead of the attack and in weather most unfavourable to the operation they crossed the river and captured their objectives in spite of strong opposition from the enemy. Torrential rain had caused the Savio River to rise six feet in five hours and as the soft vertical banks made it impossible to bridge the river no tanks or anti-tank guns could be taken across the raging stream to the support of the rifle companies.
As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three Mark V Panther tanks supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared almost hopeless. Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his PIAT Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the PIAT could be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a companion, and obtained another PIAT. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith's comrade was wounded. At a range of thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the PIAT and hit the tank, puting it out of action. Ten German infantry immediately jumped off the back of the tank and charged him with Schmeissers and grenades. Without hesitation Private Smith moved out into the road and with his Tommy gun at point blank range, killed four Germans and drove the remainder back. Almost immediately another tank opened fire and more enemy infantry closed in on Smith's position. Obtaining some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, he steadfastly held his position, protecting his comrade and fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder.

One tank and both self-propelled guns had been destroyed by this time, but yet another tank swept the area with fire from a longer range. Private Smith, still showing utter contempt for enemy fire, helped his wounded friend to cover and obtained medical aid for him behind a nearby building. He then returned to his position beside the road to await the possibility of a further enemy attack. No further immediate attack developed, and as a result the battalion was able to consolidate the bridgehead position so vital to the success of the whole operation, which led to the eventual capture of San Giorgio Di Cesena and a further advance to the Ronco River. Thus, by the dogged determination, outstanding devotion to duty and superb gallantry of this private soldier, his comrades were so inspired that the bridgehead was held firm against all enemy attacks, pending the arrival of tanks and anti-tank guns some hours later.

[Herrmannek]

Any videos?