Hugo Schmeisser
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Hugo Schmeisser (born 24 September 1884; died 12 September 1953) was an important developer of infantry weapons in the 20th century.
The life and work of Hugo Schmeisser mostly took place in the weapons manufacturing city of Suhl, Germany. Entrepreneurs and engineers such as Simson, Sauer and Haenel shaped the weapons tradition of this location over the centuries. Hugo Schmeisser's father, Louis Schmeisser (1848 - 1917) was one of the best-known weapons designers in Europe.
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[edit] Approaching and During WWI
The submachine guns of Bergmann are closely connected with its name recognition and weapons production in the time leading up to the First World War. Hugo Schmeisser also received his fundamental training in weapons technology at Bergmann, where 7.63 mm and 9 mm machine gun rounds were being researched. He remained in Suhl during the First World War because of the crucial importance of his expertise in machine gun technology.
After two years in World War I, trench warfare had solidified on the western front. Using only carbines, raids at up to 100 m from the trenches seemed nearly impossible. Artillery fire and bayonet attacks led to heavy losses on both sides of the front. Between 1917 and 1918, Hugo Schmeisser developed an automatic weapon with a practical range of 200 m. These MP 18s soon became the basic armament combat teams, which broke through the front in March 1918 during Operation "Michael". These troops, exclusively equipped with MPs, hand grenades, and pistols, broke through the front and went on a full offensive against their enemies. These offensive infantry tactics became the forerunners to tank warfare during World War II. During this time, 35000 MP18s were produced by Bergmann alone.
[edit] Approaching and During WWII
Manufacturing regulations in the Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919) forbade Germany from developing automatic weapons. This signalled the end of a 30 year cooperation between the Schmeissers and Bergmann as production was licensed to foreign weapons manufacturers. Schmeisser decided to continue work in weapons development. Together with his brother Hans Schmeisser, he created the "Industriewerk Auhammer Koch und Co" (Industrial Auhammer Koch and Company) in Suhl. Being at the end of World War I, he saw little business, and encumbered by the Treaty of Versailles, the future of the company was unclear. Hugo defied the treaty, working to continue development of banned weapons. It was at this time that the company began cooperating with Haenel Co. in Suhl, beginning a 20 year partnership. For the safety of his patents, Hugo Schmeisser created a second company under the name of "Brothers Schmeisser" in the summer of 1922. This shrewd tactic was to prevent the loss of his patents if Auhammer went bankrupt. In order to prevent bankruptcy on both sides, Auhammer and Haenel merged, with Haenel taking full responsibility and liability for Auhammer business affairs. Schmeisser's attorneys who settled the deal became active shareholders in the company. Before long, it was obvious that development of automatic weapons was unaffected by the Treaty of Versailles. In 1928 Schmeisser released the MP-28, which was used extensively by the German police. Bayard signed an agreement with Schmeisser to manufacture and sell weapons to South Africa, China, Spain, and Japan. It is notable that these same weapons were used during the Spanish Civil War only 10 years later. Despite Schmeisser's success, the company often came within inches of bankruptcy.
As the Nazis rose to power during 1933, 10 weapons development enterprises in Suhl and Zella Mehlis merged under the name of "United Suhl-Zella Mehlis Armament Makers". This central administration was used to coordinate production with the army's needs. This allowed Schmeisser to make a very important business acquaintance, which later developed to a friendship, with the famous aviator Ernst Udet (1896 - 1941). Udet was a deputy of Goering under Germany's Luftwaffe (Air Force). Hugo Schmeisser had a direct role in military production decisions, often influencing the decisions of Hitler and Goering. After 1935 Haenel experienced an enormous upswing in weapon production. Against the desires of many engineers and technical designers, Brothers Schmeisser continued to enforce patent royalties and manage company funds.
Hugo Schmeisser was constantly revising his weapons, leading to the MP-34 and MP-36. The chief designer, Heinrich Vollmer, revised the basic construction of Schmeisser's MP-36 and developed from it the well-known German submachine guns of the Second World War, the MP-38 and the MP-40. 1.2 million pieces were manufactured for these weapons, and were among the first weapons to be manufactured with die cast parts, metal stamping, and a complete machine-assembly. This method revolutionized weapon production, allowing manufacture at an unprecedented speed. They became internationally known as "Schmeisser MP"s, due to both his role in the production as well as the conspicuous lateral magazine characteristic of his weapons.
Hugo Schmeisser's most important work had been underway since 1938. This new automatic weapon, with a short cartridge 7.92 mm., allowed for smart usage of resources and high production. At first named the Mkb 42, it later received the designation of MP-43, and it became one of the first assault rifles. By 1943, 10000 pieces had already been manufactured for the front. For a short time, Hitler stopped production, as he was mysteriously opposed to the new weapon. In 1944, after troop testing verified the new weapon's legitimacy, Hitler authorized mass production of the MP-43 as well as further research into a new MP-44. In April 1944 the new weapon received the designation of "Sturmgewehr 44" (Storm Rifle 44). The Stg44 was arguably Schmeisser's most most important weapon development.
[edit] After WWII
On April 3, 1945, American troops began to occupy the city of Suhl. Weapons manufacturing was completely prohibited during this time. Hugo Schmeisser and his brother Hans were interrogated for weeks by weapon expert teams of the American and British Secret Service. At the end of June 1945, American troops evacuated Suhl and all of Thuringia. One month later, the Red Army assumed control over the area, starting a civilian works project to manufacture weapons for the Soviets. By August 1945 the Red Army had created 50 Stg 44s from existing assembly parts, and had begun inspecting their design. 10785 sheets of technical designs were confiscated by the Soviets as part of their research. In October 1945 Hugo Schmeisser was forced to work for the Red Army and instructed to continue development of new weapons.
Schmeisser's brilliance continued to impress the Red Army, and he, along with other weapons designers and their families, was relocated to the USSR. On October 24, 1946 The German specialists rode a train to Izhevsk in the southern Ural Mountains, where a center of Russian firearms development was located. Hugo Schmeisser's work while in the Red Army in Izhevsk (1946-1952) is shrouded in darkness. Little is known of his life during this period, until 1952 when he and other German specialists returned home to Germany. With short notice, his stay in the Soviet Union was extended beyond that of the other weapon specialists by a half year. He finally returned home on June 9, 1952. Hugo Schmeisser died on December 09, 1953, and was buried in Suhl.
[edit] Conclusion
While the name of Hugo Schmeisser is known internationally, it is unknown to most Germans. The 50th anniversary of his death was honored by a ceremony held in Suhl, as he is recognized as one of the most important technical designers of infantry weapons of the 20th century.
