Armed pilots?

[ElAurens]

At this point the most carried sidearm used by German forces was the Walther P38. A far superior weapon than the complex, expensive to manufacture, and relatively malfunction prone P-06, what most people commonly call a "Luger". Both chambered in 9 X 19 Parabellum, or more simply called 9mm Luger.

If an RAF pilot carried a sidearm it would have been the Enfield No.2 Mk I, or the No.2 Mk.I*, chambered in what the British called 380/200 (.380" diameter bullet that weighed 200 grains), and what Americans call .38 Smith & Wesson. (Note: this is not the more modern 38 Special caliber, that is actually .357" in diameter).

[Kongo-Otto]

Originally Posted by ElAurens

At this point the most carried sidearm used by German forces was the Walther P38. A far superior weapon than the complex, expensive to manufacture, and relatively malfunction prone P-06, what most people commonly call a "Luger". Both chambered in 9 X 19 Parabellum, or more simply called 9mm Luger.

Well yes and no, some Flying personnel (specially on Bombers)had the Pistole 08 aka Luger, but i have never seen a Picture of a Pilot with a P-38, many had also smaller side arms like the Walther PPK or Mauser HSC also yery common was the use of side arms like the Czechoslovakian CZ 24, 27, or CZ 38, the Spanish Astra 300 or the French Unique 17 or the MAB (Manufacture D´Armes Des Bayonne) Model D or the Italian Beretta Model 1934.
The smaller the side arm was the more likely it was used as a side arm for flying personell.
Those side arms with German Waffenamts Markings today are desired collectors items.

[ElAurens]

Originally Posted by Kongo-Otto

Well yes and no, some Flying personnel (specially on Bombers)had the Pistole 08 aka Luger, but i have never seen a Picture of a Pilot with a P-38, many had also smaller side arms like the Walther PPK or Mauser HSC also yery common was the use of side arms like the Czechoslovakian CZ 24, 27, or CZ 38, the Spanish Astra 300 or the French Unique 17 or the MAB (Manufacture D´Armes Des Bayonne) Model D or the Italian Beretta Model 1934.
The smaller the side arm was the more likely it was used as a side arm for flying personell.
Those side arms with German Waffenamts Markings today are desired collectors items.

Thanks for the info!

I can understand why they would prefer the smaller pistols, by and large chambered in 32 ACP (7.65 Browning), over the large P38 or even the Luger. And it's really sort of a morale booster anyway, as we all know, a handgun will loose almost every time to a man with a rifle.

[Kongo-Otto]

Originally Posted by ElAurens

Thanks for the info!

I can understand why they would prefer the smaller pistols, by and large chambered in 32 ACP (7.65 Browning), over the large P38 or even the Luger. And it's really sort of a morale booster anyway, as we all know, a handgun will loose almost every time to a man with a rifle.

Btw one of the rarest Wehrmacht sidearms and today one of the most wanted collectors item is this one, only about 8250 have been produced.

the Norvegian Kongsberg M1914 (license built Colt M1911) in the Wehrmacht known as: Pistole 657 (n) (Picture shows Post war produced Model circa 1946-1947)

[Artist]

I have no idea if this is historically correct, but a rather impressive film anyhow:
The German
(Sidearms do play an important role here.)

[Kongo-Otto]

Originally Posted by Artist

I have no idea if this is historically correct, but a rather impressive film anyhow:
The German
(Sidearms do play an important role here.)

IIRC side arms where not supplied tho the RAF during the BoB.
And a Messerschmitt BF 109 dogfighting over Ireland? I higly doubt that!
They could barely reach London and then had to take an sharp eye on their fuel gauge, as they didnt had the 300 liter externals during the BoB.
IMHO it would be more historical correct with an Spitfire fighting an long range recce plane and not a BF 109.

[pupo162]

Originally Posted by Kongo-Otto

IIRC side arms where not supplied tho the RAF during the BoB.
And a Messerschmitt BF 109 dogfighting over Ireland? I higly doubt that!
They could barely reach London and then had to take an sharp eye on their fuel gauge, as they didnt had the 300 liter externals during the BoB.
IMHO it would be more historical correct with an Spitfire fighting an long range recce plane and not a BF 109.

i tought it was strange too, but according to end credits, multiple german fighters were shot down in ireland.

[Kongo-Otto]

Originally Posted by cheesehawk

Actually, the 109 could easily reach London, in fact, most had enough fuel left over to fly back to France!

Well ditching into the channel without fuel in sight of the French Coastline or on the shore also counts as "Flight back to France" i assume.

[ElAurens]

Originally Posted by Kongo-Otto

Btw one of the rarest Wehrmacht sidearms and today one of the most wanted collectors item is this one, only about 8250 have been produced.

the Norvegian Kongsberg M1914 (license built Colt M1911) in the Wehrmacht known as: Pistole 657 (n) (Picture shows Post war produced Model circa 1946-1947)

Interesting how they changed the slide release design. I'm assuming it is chambered in .45 ACP?

[Kongo-Otto]

Originally Posted by ElAurens

Interesting how they changed the slide release design. I'm assuming it is chambered in .45 ACP?

Yes it was chambered in .45 ACP.