Hafthohlladung
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The Hafthohlladung, also known as the "Panzer Knacker" (Armour Breaker) was a shaped charge anti-tank grenade used by Nazi forces in the Second World War.
[edit] Details
The Hafthohlladung was mostly used by Wehrmacht tank killer squads. It had a three pair of magnets around its base, which enabled the infantryman using the device to place it directly onto the enemy tank, before arming it by pulling the ignitor at the rear of the mine. This meant that the slope of the armour had a negligible effect on the efficacy of the shaped charge, but it also made the action of placing the charge rather suicidal, as the infantryman would be very vulnerable to enemy fire. The charge itself was very effective against armour, being able to penetrate around 140mm of RHA.
[edit] Specifications
- Weight: 3kg for the H3 version, 3.5kg for the H3.5 version.
- Date of issue: November 1942
- Penetration: 140mm of RHA angled at 0 degrees, 20 inches of concrete
- Fuse: Friction ignited 4.5 second delay fuse, increased to 7.5 seconds in May 1943
- Production: 553,900 produced 1942-44
- Declared obsolete in May 1944 in favour of the Panzerfaust, but existing stockpiles were still used.
