Difference between revisions of "MG34 (7.92 mm)"

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m (U38088265 moved page MG 34 (7.92 mm) to MG34 (7.92 mm): Renamed to match in-game name)
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{{AutoWeapon-Card
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| image = File:Weapon_MG_34_(7.92_mm).png
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| title = {{PAGENAME}}<br />Maschinengewehr 34
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| MG-calibre = 7.92
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| Belt-capacity = 150
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| RoF = 900
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| MG-velocity = 880 - 905
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| MG-max-pen = 13
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}}
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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!-- ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Make an air or ground vehicles list on which this weapon is installed in our game.'' -->
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<!-- ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.'' -->
[[File:Pintle Mounted MG 34.jpg|thumb|An example of a pintle-mounted '''MG 34''' with AA sight on a Tiger I.]]
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The MG 34 is a recoil-operated, air-cooled machine gun of German origin.<ref name=":0">''Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II''. p. 246.</ref> Development of the MG 34 began in 1934 by Heinrich Vollmer, eventually seeing service with the Francoist Spanish forces in the Spanish Civil War. Inspired heavily by Rheinmetall's MG 30, changes and developments made to the MG 34 design led it to become the first General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).<ref name=":0" /> The weapon was revolutionary for its time, boasting the highest fire rate of any machine gun at the time,<ref>Haskew, Michael E (2012). ''Small Arms 1914-1945: The Essential Weapons Identification Guide''. London: Amber Books. p. 92. <nowiki>ISBN 978-1-908273-85-7</nowiki>.</ref> though its technological superiority came at a cost, causing it to be far too expensive and complicated to mass-produce on its own. Thus, it was produced and implemented in tandem with similar machine guns such as the [[MG 42 (7.92 mm)|MG 42]].<ref>''The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II''. Chris Bishop. Sterling Publishing Company. 2002. page 245 & 246</ref>
The MG 34 is a recoil-operated, air-cooled machine gun of German origin.<ref name=":0">''Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II''. p. 246.</ref> Development of the MG 34 began in 1934 by Heinrich Vollmer, eventually seeing service with the Francoist Spanish forces in the Spanish Civil War. Inspired heavily by Rheinmetall's MG 30, changes and developments made to the MG 34 design led it to become the first General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).<ref name=":0" /> The weapon was revolutionary for its time, boasting the highest fire rate of any machine gun at the time.<ref>Haskew, Michael E (2012). ''Small Arms 1914-1945: The Essential Weapons Identification Guide''. London: Amber Books. p. 92. <nowiki>ISBN 978-1-908273-85-7</nowiki>.</ref> Though its technological superiority came at a cost, causing it to be far too expensive and complicated to mass-produce on its own. Thus, it was produced and implemented in tandem with similar machine guns such as the [[MG 42 (7.92 mm)|MG 42]].<ref>''The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II''. Chris Bishop. Sterling Publishing Company. 2002. page 245 & 246</ref>
 
  
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
 
<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
 
{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}
 
{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}
{{Navigation-Line|PzKpfw II}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_II_ausf_C|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_II_ausf_C_DAK|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_II_ausf_F|short}}
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{{Navigation-Line|PzKpfw III}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_B|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_E|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_F|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_J|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_J_L42|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|ussr_pzkpfw_III_ausf_J_L42|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_L|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_M|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_N|short}}
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{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Light tanks'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_II_ausf_C|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_II_ausf_C_DAK|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_II_ausf_F|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|PzKpfw IV}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_C|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_E|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_F|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_F2|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_G|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_H|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_J|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerbefelhswagen_IV_ausf_J|short}}
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{{Navigation-Line|PzKpfw V Panther}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ausf_a_panther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ausf_d_panther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ausf_f_panther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ausf_g_panther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ersatz_m10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|ussr_pzkpfw_V|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panther_II|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerjager_panther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerbefelhswagen_jagdpanther|short}}
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{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Medium tanks'''}}
{{Navigation-Line|PzKpfw VI Tiger}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_b_tiger_IIh|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_b_tiger_IIh_kwk46|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_b_tiger_IIh_sla|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_b_tiger_IIp|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_e_tiger|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_h1_tiger|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_h1_tiger_animal_version|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_tiger_P|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerjager_tiger|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerbefelhswagen_VI_P|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|jp_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_e_tiger|short}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Pz.Kpfw.III}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_B|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_E|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_F|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_J_L42|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|ussr_pzkpfw_III_ausf_J_L42|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_J|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_L|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_M|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_III_ausf_N|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|PzKpfw VIII Maus}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_Maus|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_e_100|short}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Pz.Kpfw.IV}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_C|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_E|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_F|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_F2|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_G|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_H|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_J|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerbefelhswagen_IV_ausf_J|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|Other}}{{Specs-Link|germ_kv_1_kwk_40|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_jgdpz_38t|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerjager_nashorn|short}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Pz.Kpfw.V}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ausf_a_panther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ausf_d_panther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ausf_f_panther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ausf_g_panther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_V_ersatz_m10|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fr_pzkpfw_V_panther_dauphine|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|ussr_pzkpfw_V|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panther_II|short}}
{{Navigation-Line|Boats}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s38b|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s_100_s204_lang|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s_100_class|short}}
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{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Heavy tanks'''}}
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{{Navigation-Line|KV-1}}{{Specs-Link|germ_kv_1_kwk_40|short}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Pz.Kpfw.VI}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_h1_tiger|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_h1_tiger_animal_version|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_e_tiger|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|jp_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_e_tiger|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_tiger_P|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerbefelhswagen_VI_P|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_b_tiger_IIp|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_b_tiger_IIh|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_b_tiger_IIh_kwk46|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_VI_ausf_b_tiger_IIh_sla|short}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Pz.Kpfw.VIII}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_Maus|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_pzkpfw_e_100|short}}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Tank destroyers'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_jgdpz_38t|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerjager_nashorn|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerjager_panther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerbefelhswagen_jagdpanther|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_panzerjager_tiger|short}}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-First-Line|'''SPAA'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_flakpanzer_IV_Ostwind_2|short}}
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 +
{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Motor torpedo boats'''}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s38b|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s_100_class|short}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|germ_s_100_s204_lang|short}}
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{{Navigation-End}}
 
{{Navigation-End}}
  
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Chambered in 7.92 mm, the MG 34 boasts a fire rate of up to 900 rpm at a velocity of 765 m/s. It can be fed from belts with up to 250 rounds, or drum magazines holding up to 75 rounds.
 
Chambered in 7.92 mm, the MG 34 boasts a fire rate of up to 900 rpm at a velocity of 765 m/s. It can be fed from belts with up to 250 rounds, or drum magazines holding up to 75 rounds.
  
=== Available shells ===
+
=== Available ammunition ===
<!-- ''Describe the shells that are available for the cannon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).'' -->
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<!-- ''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).'' -->
 
[[File:MG34 Naval Mount.png|thumb|The unique mount for the '''MG 34''' on the S-38b.]]
 
[[File:MG34 Naval Mount.png|thumb|The unique mount for the '''MG 34''' on the S-38b.]]
 
In War Thunder, the MG 34 is a secondary weapon and thus does not have optional belts. It uses one default belt, consisting of AP-I/AP-I/AP-T for tank battles, and straight AP-I for naval.
 
In War Thunder, the MG 34 is a secondary weapon and thus does not have optional belts. It uses one default belt, consisting of AP-I/AP-I/AP-T for tank battles, and straight AP-I for naval.
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==== AP-I Penetration ====
 
==== AP-I Penetration ====
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
!Distance
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! Distance !! 0° !! 30° !! 60°
!0°
 
!30°
 
!60°
 
 
|-
 
|-
|10 m
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| 10 m || 10 mm || 7 mm || 3 mm
|10 mm
 
|7 mm
 
|3 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|100 m
+
| 100 m || 9 mm || 6 mm || 3 mm
|9 mm
 
|6 mm
 
|3 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|500 m
+
| 500 m || 7 mm || 5 mm || 2 mm
|7 mm
 
|5 mm
 
|2 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|1000 m
+
| 1000 m || 4 mm || 3 mm || 1 mm
|4 mm
 
|3 mm
 
|1 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|1500 m
+
| 1500 m || 0 mm || 0 mm || 0 mm
|0 mm
 
|0 mm
 
|0 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|2000 m
+
| 2000 m || 0 mm || 0 mm || 0 mm
|0 mm
 
|0 mm
 
|0 mm
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
==== AP-T Penetration ====
 
==== AP-T Penetration ====
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
!Distance
+
! Distance !! 0° !! 30° !! 60°
!0°
 
!30°
 
!60°
 
 
|-
 
|-
|10 m
+
| 10 m || 13 mm || 9 mm || 4 mm
|13 mm
 
|9 mm
 
|4 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|100 m
+
| 100 m || 12 mm || 9 mm || 4 mm
|12 mm
 
|9 mm
 
|4 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|500 m
+
| 500 m || 7 mm || 5 mm || 2 mm
|7 mm
 
|5 mm
 
|2 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|1000 m
+
| 1000 m || 4 mm || 3 mm || 1 mm
|4 mm
 
|3 mm
 
|1 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|1500 m
+
| 1500 m || 1 mm || 0 mm || 0 mm
|1 mm
 
|0 mm
 
|0 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|2000 m
+
| 2000 m || 1 mm || 0 mm || 0 mm
|1 mm
 
|0 mm
 
|0 mm
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
<!-- ''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns, that have firepower equal to these type of weapons.'' -->
+
<!-- ''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.'' -->
 
While having a slower fire rate than the MG 42, both weapons fire the same ammunition at the same velocity, meaning they perform nearly identically. The frequency with which the MG 34 appears means players of the German ground forces will be well-acquainted with the 7.92 calibre which sets the standard for MGs in the German tech tree.
 
While having a slower fire rate than the MG 42, both weapons fire the same ammunition at the same velocity, meaning they perform nearly identically. The frequency with which the MG 34 appears means players of the German ground forces will be well-acquainted with the 7.92 calibre which sets the standard for MGs in the German tech tree.
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
<!-- ''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against the main opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.'' -->
+
<!-- ''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.'' -->
 +
[[File:Pintle Mounted MG 34.jpg|thumb|An example of a pintle-mounted '''MG 34''' with AA sight on a Tiger I.]]
 
Being coaxially mounted is a significant advantage for taking out light vehicles such as SPAA or tank destroyers with an exposed crew. On rare occasion, certain fully-enclosed vehicles have so little armour that they can be penetrated by the MG 34 at close range. If you are lucky enough to be driving a vehicle with a roof-mounted MG 34 such as the [[Jagdpanzer 38(t)]], it performs well as a deterrent for attacking aircraft, and might even score you a kill. And as with any other machine gun, it can prove to be a useful tool for spotting enemies for your allies or clearing obstacles.
 
Being coaxially mounted is a significant advantage for taking out light vehicles such as SPAA or tank destroyers with an exposed crew. On rare occasion, certain fully-enclosed vehicles have so little armour that they can be penetrated by the MG 34 at close range. If you are lucky enough to be driving a vehicle with a roof-mounted MG 34 such as the [[Jagdpanzer 38(t)]], it performs well as a deterrent for attacking aircraft, and might even score you a kill. And as with any other machine gun, it can prove to be a useful tool for spotting enemies for your allies or clearing obstacles.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!-- ''Summarize and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.'' -->
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
* High fire rate
+
* High rate of fire
 
* Decent penetration for its calibre
 
* Decent penetration for its calibre
 
* Common usage means it is easy to be familiar with handling this gun
 
* Common usage means it is easy to be familiar with handling this gun
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== History ==
 
== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of this weapon. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.''
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''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.'' -->
<gallery>
+
<div><ul>
File:A Pz.II DAK firing its MG 34..jpg|A Pz.II DAK firing its coaxial MG 34.
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<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:A Pz.II DAK firing its MG 34..jpg|thumb|none|350px|A Pz.II DAK firing its coaxial {{PAGENAME}}MG 34.]] </li><!--
</gallery>
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<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:type.jpg|thumb|none|250px|Description]] </li>
 
+
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:type.jpg|thumb|none|250px|Description]] </li>
==References==
+
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:type.jpg|thumb|none|250px|Description]] </li>-->
<references />
+
</ul></div>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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* ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
 
* ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
 
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''
 +
 +
==References==
 +
<references />
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on weapon;''
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_34
 
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_34
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{{Tank machine guns}}
 
{{Tank machine guns}}
 +
{{Naval machine guns}}
  
 
[[Category:Tank machine guns]]
 
[[Category:Tank machine guns]]
 +
[[Category:Naval machine guns]]

Revision as of 13:26, 6 November 2019


Description

The MG 34 is a recoil-operated, air-cooled machine gun of German origin.[1] Development of the MG 34 began in 1934 by Heinrich Vollmer, eventually seeing service with the Francoist Spanish forces in the Spanish Civil War. Inspired heavily by Rheinmetall's MG 30, changes and developments made to the MG 34 design led it to become the first General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).[1] The weapon was revolutionary for its time, boasting the highest fire rate of any machine gun at the time,[2] though its technological superiority came at a cost, causing it to be far too expensive and complicated to mass-produce on its own. Thus, it was produced and implemented in tandem with similar machine guns such as the MG 42.[3]

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

Vehicles equipped with this weapon
Light tanks  Pz.II C · Pz.II C (DAK) · Pz.II F
Medium tanks 
Pz.Kpfw.III  Pz.III B · Pz.III E · Pz.III F · Pz.III J · ▂T-III · Pz.III J1 · Pz.III L · Pz.III M · Pz.III N
Pz.Kpfw.IV  Pz.IV C · Pz.IV E · Pz.IV F1 · Pz.IV F2 · Pz.IV G · Pz.IV H · Pz.IV J · Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J
Pz.Kpfw.V  Panther A · Panther D · Panther F · Panther G · Ersatz M10 · Panther "Dauphiné" · ▂T-V · Panther II
Heavy tanks 
KV-1  ▀KW I C 756 (r)
Pz.Kpfw.VI  Tiger H1 · ␠Tiger · Tiger E · ▅Heavy Tank No.6 · VK 45.01 (P) · Pz.Bef.Wg.VI P · Tiger II (P) · Tiger II (H) · Tiger II (10.5 cm Kw.K) · Tiger II (H) Sla.16
Pz.Kpfw.VIII  Maus · E-100
Tank destroyers  Jagdpanzer 38(t) · Nashorn · Jagdpanther G1 · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1 · Jagdtiger
SPAA  Ostwind II
Motor torpedo boats  S-38b · S-100 · S-204 Lang

General info

A Pz.II DAK's MG 34. The MG 34 (circled in red) is the smaller of the two weapons

The MG 34 is a common sight in War Thunder, being mounted coaxially in many German tank turrets and even on some external Anti-Air and Anti-Infantry mounts. It was found to be better suited to such applications than its counterparts, and quickly became the Wehrmacht's weapon of choice for supplying armour with rifle-calibre protection. It was also used as light-AA on certain Kriegsmarine vessels.

Chambered in 7.92 mm, the MG 34 boasts a fire rate of up to 900 rpm at a velocity of 765 m/s. It can be fed from belts with up to 250 rounds, or drum magazines holding up to 75 rounds.

Available ammunition

The unique mount for the MG 34 on the S-38b.

In War Thunder, the MG 34 is a secondary weapon and thus does not have optional belts. It uses one default belt, consisting of AP-I/AP-I/AP-T for tank battles, and straight AP-I for naval.

AP-I Penetration

Distance 30° 60°
10 m 10 mm 7 mm 3 mm
100 m 9 mm 6 mm 3 mm
500 m 7 mm 5 mm 2 mm
1000 m 4 mm 3 mm 1 mm
1500 m 0 mm 0 mm 0 mm
2000 m 0 mm 0 mm 0 mm

AP-T Penetration

Distance 30° 60°
10 m 13 mm 9 mm 4 mm
100 m 12 mm 9 mm 4 mm
500 m 7 mm 5 mm 2 mm
1000 m 4 mm 3 mm 1 mm
1500 m 1 mm 0 mm 0 mm
2000 m 1 mm 0 mm 0 mm

Comparison with analogues

While having a slower fire rate than the MG 42, both weapons fire the same ammunition at the same velocity, meaning they perform nearly identically. The frequency with which the MG 34 appears means players of the German ground forces will be well-acquainted with the 7.92 calibre which sets the standard for MGs in the German tech tree.

Usage in battles

An example of a pintle-mounted MG 34 with AA sight on a Tiger I.

Being coaxially mounted is a significant advantage for taking out light vehicles such as SPAA or tank destroyers with an exposed crew. On rare occasion, certain fully-enclosed vehicles have so little armour that they can be penetrated by the MG 34 at close range. If you are lucky enough to be driving a vehicle with a roof-mounted MG 34 such as the Jagdpanzer 38(t), it performs well as a deterrent for attacking aircraft, and might even score you a kill. And as with any other machine gun, it can prove to be a useful tool for spotting enemies for your allies or clearing obstacles.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • High rate of fire
  • Decent penetration for its calibre
  • Common usage means it is easy to be familiar with handling this gun
  • Large magazine

Cons:

  • Only proves to be deadly against a limited set of targets
  • Not commonly mounted externally, limiting its use against aircraft

History

Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />.

Media

  • A Pz.II DAK firing its coaxial MG34 (7.92 mm)MG 34.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;
  • references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. p. 246.
  2. Haskew, Michael E (2012). Small Arms 1914-1945: The Essential Weapons Identification Guide. London: Amber Books. p. 92. ISBN 978-1-908273-85-7.
  3. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. Chris Bishop. Sterling Publishing Company. 2002. page 245 & 246

External links


Tank machine guns
USA 
7.62 mm  M37 · M60D · M73 · M240 · M1919A4
12.7 mm  FN M3P · M2HB · M80 · M85
Germany 
5.56 mm  MG4
7.62 mm  C6 · MG3A1
7.92 mm  MG13 Dreyse · MG34 · MG37(t) · MG42
12.7 mm  S.MG.50
USSR 
7.62 mm  DT · PKMB · PKT · PKTM · RP-46 · SGMT
12.7 mm  DK · DShK · 6P49 · NSVT
14.5 mm  KPVT
Britain 
7.62 mm  Browning MG4 · L3A1 · L8A1 · L8A2 · L37A1 · L37A2 · L94A1
7.7 mm  Vickers
7.92 mm  BESA
12.7 mm  L21A1
Japan 
6.5 mm  Type 91
7.62 mm  Type 74
7.7 mm  Type 97
12.7 mm  Type 60 (B)
China 
5.8 mm  QJT
7.62 mm  Type 55 · Type 59 · Type 86
12.7 mm  QJC88A · Type 54
14.5 mm  QJG02
Italy 
7.62 mm  Beretta MG42/59 · FN MAG 60-40
8 mm  34/40M · Breda Mod. 38
13.2 mm  Breda Model 31
France 
7.5 mm  AAT-52 · MAC 31
7.62 mm  A-A-F1N
8 mm  Hotchkiss Mle 1914
Sweden 
6.5 mm  ksp m/14-29
7.62 mm  ksp 39 C · ksp 58 · ksp 94
8 mm  ksp m/36 · ksp m/39B
12.7 mm  ksp 88

Naval machine guns
USA 
7.62 mm  M73
12.7 mm  AN-M2
Germany 
7.62 mm  MG-3
7.92 mm  MG08 pattern 1908 · MG15 · MG34
13.2 mm  Hotchkiss
15 mm  MG M38(t)
USSR 
7.62 mm  Maxim
12.7 mm  DShK
14.5 mm  KPV
Britain 
7.62 mm  FN MAG
7.7 mm  Lewis 1916 · Vickers GO No.5
12.7 mm  Vickers Mk.V
Japan 
6.5 mm  Maxim · Type 38 pattern 1907
7.7 mm  Type 89 · Type 92
13.2 mm  Type 93
Italy 
6.5 mm  Breda Mod.30 · Fiat Model 26
12.7 mm  Breda-SAFAT
13.2 mm  Breda Model 31
France 
13.2 mm  Browning · Model 1929 Hotchkiss