Hugo Schmeisser

Hugo Schmeisser (born 24 September 1884; died 12 September 1953) was one of the most important developers of infantry weapons in the 20th Century. Almost all subsequent weapons depend heavily upon the inventions developed by him.

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 7.63mm and 9mm 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.

Related Topics:
Submachine gun - Bergmann - First World War

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After two years in World War I, trench warfare had solidified on the western front. Using only carbines, raids at up to 100m from the trenches seemed nearly impossible. Artillery fires 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.

Related Topics:
MP 18 - Hand grenades - Pistol - World War II - MP18

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