The StG 44 - In the Movies

An overview of the StG 44 as featured in numerous WW2 Movies
More War Movie Content: / johnnyjohnsonesq
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Movies Featured:
Overlord - 2018
1944 - 2015
The Bridge - 2008
The Bridge (Die Brucke) 1959
Downfall - 2004
Band of Brothers - 2001
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade - 1999
Come and See - 1985
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - 1980
Battle of the Bulge - 1965
Kanal - 1957
Iron Sky - 2012
Fury - 2014
Battlefield 5 (Video Game)
Captain American: The First Avenger - 2011
Forrest Gump - 1994
Lord of War - 2005
Gandhi - 1982
Hacksaw Ridge - 2016
Black Book - 2006
#guns #ww2 #warhistory

[@fazole]

I read the autobiography of a US soldier fighting in Europe in late 44. There was a person in his platoon using a captured MP-40 and he got chewed out for it because everyone around him was very jumpy at the sound of enemy weapons and were liable to shoot at the sound. The weather was bad with rain and fog which limited visibility as well. In the series Generation Kill, everyone seems to disdain the Captain America character for causing undue alarm by using a captured AKM to shoot at trucks. So I would say, using captured weapons is fraught with danger.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Exactly. I think I big factor in play would be how your squad mates feel about it.

[@dragonstormdipro1013]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq Fun thing is, in Indian army, guys who used enemy weapons were extremely adored, from what I have seen in accounts of 1971, or even Kargil War. They teach us here that making any assessment based on the sound of a weapon is kinda ridiculous and can result in blue on blue. Specially in 1971, guys would grab a Type 56 from a Pakistani soldier every chance they had, to the extent that virtually all the AKs of East Pakistanis were sent back to India for usage in battlefield.

[@Robert53area]

The likely hood of a blue on blue, when someone uses capture weapons, is high. Because you usually train or get used to enemy weapon sounds, you also get used what it is sound like when fired at you.

[@a-bloke-named-chris9805]

Well... in vietnam it was not uncommon at all for certain american units to use kalashnikovs

[@i_commission_dspriscilla_a7486]

@@a-bloke-named-chris9805 it indeed was uncommon. The idea of dudes dropping m16s for aks is boomer myth.

[@justsomeguy6314]

While the AK-47 looks like an Stg44, ironically the M16 and Stg44 share more in common especially how they disassemble. The AK-47 has a lot more similarities with the M1 Garand however.

[@justsomeguy6314]

@Ian Joaquin Harder kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGXPZGamqrx4ipI

[@justaguy723]

@Ian Joaquin Harder long stroke gas piston in the M1 and the AK vs the short stroke or delayed blowback system on the STG. That and Kalashnikov himself said he took a lot of inspiration from the Garand. Now as far as the M16, I have no fucking clue how this guy can compare the M16 and STG.

[@justsomeguy6314]

@@justaguy723 mostly how it disassembles. I’m not saying the M16 is a STG copy, I’m just saying that ironically the M16 has more in common with the STG than the AK has.

[@justaguy723]

@@justsomeguy6314 Not really, the STG takes down the same way a G3 does.

[@user-vn3vn7nb8x]

@@justaguy723 Одна резня в интернете.

[@japanesehighlander]

My neighbor in my hometown was a member of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and picked up an MP 40 to use after his issue sten kept jamming. He used it until the end of the war

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Exactly. Lots of interesting stories like this out there.

[@paladinsix9285]

MP40 and Sten both use 9x19mm "Parabelam" ammunition. It would be easier to get more ammunition for it in the British / Canadian / Commonwealth forces, than the US Army in World War Two.

[@c4isalethal378]

@@paladinsix9285 The Grease Gun being .45 but as also could switch to 9MM Parabellum I forgot how it could be done but I know that is why the Grease Gun except the fact of replacing the Thompson

[@ApekOmega]

@@c4isalethal378 There was a barrel and bolt swap kit made for the M3. But as far as I can tell it was never actually issued to, or used by troops.

[@philvanderlaan5942]

Ironically in the movie ‘ Stalingrad’ a vet gives a green recruit a ppsh-41 telling him ‘ it’s better than ours, it never jams ‘

[@HollywoodMarine0351]

The 1951 war movie “Decision Before Dawn” and 1955 “Tank Brigade” were two of the first to use Sturmgewehr 44, which were still available in large quantities at the time of filming.

[@kurtwk]

Decision Before Dawn is an excellent movie…. I just oogle over an army’s worth of original weapons and equipment being used in that movie.

[@antartis73]

@@kurtwk that movie is an absolute (not so well known) gem, from the original equipment to the story, to the performances and it’s message in the closing statement about those who remain true to themselves

[@kurtwk]

@@antartis73 I absolutely agree ! … besides all the original equipment being worn and used in the correct way, the movie itself is EXTREMELY good and extremely detailed. It’s probably the most realistic and accurate WW2 espionage movie I’ve ever seen….a hidden gem in an OCEAN of garbage WW2 espionage movies…HELL ! I think I’ll watch Decision Before Dawn later tonight.

[@mikebrase5161]

Decision before Dawn is an awesome movie due to the actors being warvets and the vehicles all being real.

[@kevinohalloran7164]

I've been watching WWII movies since 1964, and DID NOT know any of this. Thank You!

[@fortis3686]

A weapon that would prove to be very influential in the decades after ww2

[@BigboiiTone]

A hilariously ignorant understatement

[@peterson7082]

@@BigboiiTone Doctrinally this comment is very true. Really the only major design influence it was was its evolutional growth to the battle and assault rifles _H&K_ designed.

[@GenMaj_Knight]

@@BigboiiTone Zero elaboration.

[@BigboiiTone]

@@GenMaj_Knight what do you want

[@belgianfried]

Not AVS-36 that used the same gas piston system and not AKT-40 or the gas piston being first used in the 1890s Not Soviet engineers managing to figure out how to PPS a AVS/AKT (using staaaaaamped metaaaaaaal)

[@jmace5964]

They had a post war east german variant of the stg at mil arm in Edmonton I got to hold it. was converted to semi auto but still fired the Kurz round I think they wanted 12000 for it. Very cool gun

[@rolfagten857]

Is that East German also featured in Micheal Cain's "Funeral in Berlin" (1966)?!

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

The black and white footage with the teenage German soldiers is from the 1959 German anti-war movie "Die Brücke" (The Bridge), a perfect depiction of the insanities of war and its waste of youth. Especially lovers of war movies should watch it as a mind-sobering exercise.

[@dragonstormdipro1013]

Fun thing: Soviets used STG-44s mocked up as M16s in their movies as props when they needed to show Americans.

[@garymitchell5899]

Obviously not true they don't look anything like each other

[@matthewjones39]

@@garymitchell5899doesn’t matter what you think, it’s true.

[@garymitchell5899]

@@matthewjones39 Ok some examples would be useful?

[@garymitchell5899]

@@matthewjones39 Hello?

[@matthewjones39]

@@garymitchell5899 I’ll be real with you, I forgot.

[@kirkbolas4985]

I have a family member who served two tours in Vietnam doing behind enemy lines black ops missions. He deliberately carried an AK-47 (and a Tokarev TT-33 in 7.62x25 mm Tokarev pistol) because ammo was readily a available in the operational ares where they were sent. Not so much with anything chambered in 5.56 NATO or 7.62 NATO.

[@discoboy8169]

rule of any war since Chinese book ) Get enemy supplies and ammunition. So, if you have ammo - you are active soldier )

[@BloxEzio3]

There's an old rumor in my home village, that one of the servicemen came back home with an Suomi SMG. Apparently took it out on hunts, too. Though this time, he wasn't hunting for soviets anymore, foxes had to do in place of the bigger red bastards.

[@Aaprottimaruna]

Interesting how sometimes weapons came all the way from the front to home. My grandfather was a tank driver in the Finnish armoured division, and his primary weapon was of course the Suomi m-31, a Luger in his holster, and a small Beretta in his backpack. After the war his Beretta's serial number was not recognized so he could bring it home. He disassembled the gun to its barebones so his kids couldn't do any harm with it. I still have the old rusted corpse of a Beretta.

[@RandomPerson-ob1hk]

@@Aaprottimaruna rip

[@sexmodtf2freepunjabinoviru162]

Being hunted by soviets*

[@swangre]

Well, call the village. Russians are in season again.

[@warhawkjah]

Captured Panzerfausts were commonly used by GIs because they were more effective at a closer range. Bazookas were only more effective at longer ranges because they were more accurate but caused less damage.

[@BoboDeTurno]

Could your comment be based on Battlefield V gameplay? Just asking

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

What you just said makes no sense. Both weapons used shaped charge warheads, and thus range and velocity have no impact on their effectiveness at piercing armour. The earlier Bazookas are less effective than later panzerfausts, purely on accounts of the former having a smaller warhead. Aside from crude sights, what made pazerfausts shorter range, especially the early models, was the minuscule propellant charges, and resulting lethargic muzzle velocities.

[@crudboy12]

@@MaxwellAerialPhotography It makes perfect sense. A weapon is only effective if it is accurate enough to land a hit which muzzle velocity has a huge impact on.

[@nelsonsham2368]

Actually because the M1 and M9 Bazooka lost its anti-tank effectiveness in Europe Theater, the high command advice is, aim at the track or any place that can slow down the germans heavy armor, or use it to clean bunkers and buildings, Captured Panzerfaust are used for the Anti-tank role due how common and effective they are since the Normandy Invasion, where the germans grenadiers and kampfgruppen use them effectively with ambush tactics, in the Eastern front is even worse, they chew soviet tanks like no tomorrow(so did the PaK 40) till the Battle of Berlin

[@Eric-kn4yn]

​@@MaxwellAerialPhotographybazooka could be fired a buildings hideouts trees much greater range than panzerfaust more accurate too

[@HO-bndk]

In the Museum at Oosterbeek that is dedicated to the MARKET-GARDEN operation there is (or used to be) on display a, very rusty but otherwise complete, StG 44 that a local had dug up in their garden!

[@russby3554]

The STG-44 is originally what got me into loving historic weapons. I used it all the time in a video game as a kid and kept loving the look of it into adult hood. Now I own a reproduction of one chambered in .22 LR. Not the heavy hitting original round but still a joy to plink away with.

[@Bifstak]

Same here. The recoil feels like a nerf gun, shooting 22 out of a gun that feels like an AK will do that.

[@kylevidetto1115]

I'm curious which importer model you have: German Sport Guns, American Tactical, or Blue Line Global/Solutions? Not that it really matters.

[@russby3554]

@@kylevidetto1115 GSG

[@medicineman7877]

@@Bifstakyoooo bifstak, small community huh?

[@3xoticG4m3r]

I love how you put scenes from "come and see" in. Such a heavy movie

[@tonyromano6220]

Fury has many other historical flaws much worse than Brad’s gun.

[@heuckepeuckeborserian4798]

what are you talking about??? which flaws?? this movie is nearly perfect..

[@pastormango6688]

@Leon not to mention all the german anti tank artillery misses every shot even when they're like 20 feet in front of them through the entire film, one hit of the 88mm could destroy every sherman from any angle, during the final battle all the Germans attack the disabled sherman from the front right where the machine gun is, there's even one who tries to hit the tank with a shovel and looks really dumb

[@frisk_tw6024]

Quem se importa? Um telespectador normal não irá se importar

[@franktower9006]

If Fury is an accurate war movie, it's a shame that it took the allies until 1945 to beat Germany.

[@chrisrichard2526]

@@heuckepeuckeborserian4798 Jesus H. Late war Panzerfaust's were everywhere. The final battle scene would have been over in 10 seconds. That Sherman stationary would have ate 5-6 in under 30 seconds. Lets not even get into the tiger scene. That driver would have pivoted on each shot and loader would be locking the breech with a new round a shit ton faster then that. Yeah, I was loader in Gulf War 1. Then you have the Pak 40's who all of a sudden can't hit the side of a barn after already being ranged in. Deployment of German troops was pure fantasy on how it was really done. Movie is terrible.

[@nellyprice]

Got hold of an akm and carried about with SA80 during Iraq War. Supply chain wouldn't support ammo/parts, but was a dirty beast, never thought about jamming with its industrial strength springs and engineering. Unlike my bullpup Tinkerbell till A2 come along

[@rdjhardy]

You carried two gats?

[@nellyprice]

@@rdjhardy 3 actually but long story. was trying to get AK back to UK as a prize. vehicle borne so able to store 2 for moves

[@lmyrski8385]

I own a large number of Enfields dating from Lee Metfords to late WWII No4's, including rare varieties like cavalry and NZ carbines. In truth, there really isn't much difference in the rates of fire between the rifles. The oft parroted myth about the Germans believing the British had more machine guns at Mons was a British invention. German reports complimented British marksmanship, but not a single German source can be found to support what generations of Americans and Brits have too eagerly swallowed. For whatever fraction of a second the Enfield "might" offer, it is much more prone to misfeeds and breakages (Ejector springs, ejectors, wood cracks, magazine damage, butt stocks coming loose during firing). The Mauser box magazine is easier and much quicker to reload and more durable, as is the entire rifle. Try reloading a SMLE magazine in a stressful situation. You're likely to struggle even if you have practiced. I have spent a lot more money repairing Enfields over the last 30 years than Mausers. The Mauser repairs have also tended to be cosmetic, not functional issues like Enfields often suffer. There's a lot of people eager to find fault with Mausers, which are not perfect, probably because they are German and there are a lot of folks who deep downside, conscious or not, have been taught to hate the Germans, so they are less than objective. The Enfield is a good rifle, but it has no clear superiority over the Mauser. Ask yourself, how come it is very rare to see a German soldier carrying an Enfield given they captured tens of thousands of them and tons of ammunition during the war? You may want to believe that the German soldiers were dumber than you, but I doubt that. They picked up and used many allied small arms, yet you're a lot more likely to see them carrying other captured British weapons (Brens, Lewis guns & Stens). SMLEs, which they designated "Gewehr 281 (e)" were usually sent to non-combat units and the home guard units in both World Wars. The reason was, the German troops themselves saw no advantage in using an Enfield over there own rifle. Interestingly, nobody outside the British Commonwealth ordered new Enfields from the British, except Thailand and Iraq. They all ought used surplus. Also, nobody outside the Commonwealth copied the SMLE family of rifles. The same could not be said for Mausers which were often purchased new and copied around the world. If Enfields were that wonderful, then most of the world, including the United States whose M1903 is a knock off, must be dumb. I love my Enfields, but I see them for what they were not for what I wish they were.

[@paulhindenberg6364]

True. Having owned a number of both SMLE's and Mauser, I prefer the 98k's. I have also owned MP-44's and STG44's and if I were in a combat situation would want a MP44 before any other weapon. Fire selector switch, proper weight, good cartridge ballistically and soldier proof to a large extent Great weapon.

[@dj1NM3]

If you look closely, the French MAS-36 is almost a crude-looking copy of the SMLE: the bolt locks at the rear and its bolt handle knob has the same relative position to the trigger, it even has a similar two-part stock (on either end of the magazine, rather than a socket at the rear of the action). Not an exact copy, but close enough that they are obviously very closely related.

[@RandomPerson-ob1hk]

@@paulhindenberg6364 there's... More than one.... I had no idea people could get their hands on such old weapons much less more than one. I'm too young for this

[@paulhindenberg6364]

@@RandomPerson-ob1hk Back when there was a great deal of civility and we had a government that was not off the rails paranoid, and actually trusted it citizens, weapons of all types were available. If you wanted a active machine gun, you paid a transfer tax and had a bit of paper work. You didn't have kids shooting up schools, or churches, you also had a class called DEWAT - deactivated war trophy, which was deactivated with little harm to the weapon Prices were reasonably priced. Then we got a plethora of politicians who need an agenda to hang their hat. Antiguners the worse of them was Thomas Dodds of Connecticut, may he rot in hell. He had been a prosecutor at Nuremberg and surprisingly was one who should have been aware of the falicy of a government who 0uts gun control over freedom and the 2nd Amendment. While you still buy machine guns, and pay the transfer tax, it is a very expensive market now, which Eastham only those very well heeled can afford to buy one, as the government of " BIG BROTHER" has now prohibited the importation of any class 3 weapons. So hopefully you will win the lottery and can afford a $50,000 Thompson Navy issue or another great weapon. Goodcluck.

[@RandomPerson-ob1hk]

@@paulhindenberg6364 plus as time goes on they disappear and the people who used to take care of them are gone and the next generation doesn't know or care to live on the legacy, so museums are made. I got to listen to a tape recording my great uncle made with my great grandfather who served in WWII and he said he respected the Germans and all sorts of stuff I forgot, but he definitely didn't like to talk about it. Who knows, maybe he ran into a couple instances with MG-42s. All I know is he was probably around 20-30 when he joined the army so he's not around anymore, unfortunately never got to meet him. Now I'm having a mental crisis about how stuff just goes away and there's nothing to do about it 😅

[@nicholasgallo3599]

I Like how you explained more why in fury it’s somewhat realistic that Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier uses a STG-44 as his main weapon aside from his revolver. I assume he liked all the good traits of this weapon so he picked up one from a dead German soldier and took a few magazines as well.

[@crazyeye6424]

German is best. american movies don't depict the real war, only what they want you to see. had it been a 1v1 war instead of 1v5. Germany vs America....sorry to say americans would have been obliterated.

[@andreydoronin6995]

@@crazyeye6424 Somebody forgot to take their pills

[@matthewjones39]

@@crazyeye6424Texas produced twenty times more oil alone from 1941 to 1945 than all of Germany from 1939 to 1945.

[@justcuriousjumperbot_6724]

1:17 I like that they even included enemy shot or killed sound effects

[@germany456]

0:17 coolest scene ever

[@DONALDSON51]

Currently listening to James Holland's book 'Brothers in Arms' (about British tankers in Normandy/Germany). In a chapter one of the tank commanders spoke about how he added an MG42 to the top of his Sherman but later removed it as whenever he fired it everyone assumed he was a German (as you also point out) :) oh and a few of them used mp40's. That was more reasonable as it used the same ammunition and could use the same magazine as the Sten (I gather french resistance units also found this ability to share magazines between the 2 weapons handy)

[@mugsnvicki]

GSG (German Sport Guns) makes a .22 cal StG44 if any of your subscribers want the feel of one. Also a MP 40 in .22 cal and 9mm. This is not a commercial.

[@BPKPhoenix]

I own a Schmeisser STG44 that fires a .22 LR and let me tell you, I absolutely ADORE holding her every single day. It may not be an authentic STG but damn does it feel nice to hold one that is for all intents and purposes an STG44 (with just a lower caliber.) Heavy girl too...

[@mugsnvicki]

@@BPKPhoenix I have a StG44 .22 cal, fires flawlessly, never jams. The other semi-autos I have pale in comparison.

[@loganholt3423]

I own one as well. It is one of my most favorite guns I own. It does jam here and there but I learned to accept it. It's a 22lr they tend to jam anyway but non the less I adore it in my collection.

[@davidturcotte5677]

I have two GSG STG44's. They are truly great fun! Not to mention they have doubled in value. Only downside is the plastic magazine, they (like the rifles) are not made anymore, and are incredibly expensive. ($80 to $100 a pop)

[@Pimpdaddy_payne]

@@davidturcotte5677. It’s good to know I got one before they really skyrocketed!

[@kovesp1]

Another instace of using enemy arms. The Germans captured large numbers of PPSh-41-s; as well soldiers picked them up and used them because they were more reliable than the MP-40 especially in the cold. Many of the captured ones were redesignated as MP-41(r); the r standing forr Russe. It was rechambered for German 9x19mm Parabellum ammuniton. The orignal version was was also issued under the designation of MP-717(r) with Mauser 7.63x25mm amunation which is very close to the original Tokarev 7.62x25mm. German soldiers using any of these version can often be seen in photos and film with the usual inevitable comments that they are "obvious" fakes. And of course vice versa. Soviet soldiers, and especially partizans can be seen with MP-40-s.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

Great piece of weapons history you brought up there. Just a quick German lesson: While in English the word for a person from a country and the language is the same (here: Russian), German distinguishes between the person and the language. So a Russian (person) is "Russe" and the language is "Russisch" (with a capital letter when referring to the language, with a lowercase when a thing is of Russian origin, such as a Russian rifle - "ein russisches Gewehr"). So the "R" in MP-41 R stands for "russisch" (Russian thing, not Russian person). And btw, like all guns, the Mauser fires ammunition*.

[@scratchy996]

The Germans use the PPSh not because the MP40 was less reliable, but because they didn't have enough MP40s. Every soldier with a rifle would pick up any SMG they can find in an urban environment.

[@Robert53area]

@@scratchy996 this is more accurate, both fired from the open bolt, so reliability is pretty much the same. They both would have been very reliable in cold weather. The ппш41 has a faster cyclic rate the the mp40, making it ideal for close quarters. The mp40 cyclic rate is some where around 600 to 800 rounds a minute the ppsh41 is somewhere around 900 to 1100 rounds a minute if I recall. The cool thing about the ppsh41 is the trigger is what keeps the bolt from flying forward, and pressing the trigger all it does is keep the trigger latch down, talk about ride the lightning 😆

[@paulhindenberg6364]

The MP41 was a MP40 with a wooden stock. I have one currently. They were primarily used by Romania, as was the Beretta 1935 in .380. As was mentioned previously the main advantage of these Russian weapons was they worked in the cold. Some of the PPSh's were rechambered to 9mm by the Germans, as the supply problems. God the nightmares they had with supply with about every caliber of Under the sun from caliber . 25 thru to 20mm, including .45 ACP for the Norwegian Colt copy of the 1911

[@BenDover-tk3jj]

Love these videos, particularly the ones where you recommend war movies from different countries. Great content and look foward to seeing more!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

I'll keep em coming! Thanks for the feedback 🙏

[@geordiedog1749]

I’ve a mad idea about assault rifles. It starts in 1938 with The British Army realising that they had no sub machine gun other than the Lanchester which they thought too complex, too expensive and too German (expense being ironic considering how many Thompson’s they ended up having to buy). So….They held a completion and rightly narrowed it down to the best two SMGs Available to them at the time in the Barretta and the Suomi. They chose the Suomi ‘cos fascism and also they could trade with the Finns for army stuff the Finnish military needed like Hawker Hurricanes and the like. An order for about 40k units was placed and it was set for shipment to the UK when Uncle Joe S. appeared in Karelia. The Finns understandably kept the guns and distributed them to their own forces which led to an accidental preponderance of SMGs in Finnish units. This turned out to be highly effective, something not lost on the Soviets who copied the tactic. The Germans noticed this both from fighting with the Finns and against the Russians but also realised that you could combine this tactic with an intermediate round weapon and get something of the best of both worlds. The Russians then copied the idea from the Germans with their new ‘SMGk the AK47, which was issued along with their new rifle, the SKS, until they realised that the AK could do both jobs. The rest is, as they say, history. Discuss, shoot down, blow up etc:)

[@aaronjohn6586]

Great breakdown and explanation as always. Really like the insights you gave throughout your video.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Think you sir 🙏

[@jacksonbauer5199]

I’m glad you settled on the fact that many combatants used what they had access to during WWII. I don’t see any real issue with depictions of Allied troops using Axis weapons and vice versa. My grandfather served in WWII and while he never liked to share his experiences, after his passing I started doing a lot of research and have spent the last 19 years absolutely enthralled with that time period (war related or otherwise). There was an absolutely insane amount of “less than ideal” circumstances that necessitated the use of whatever was at hand. As for Pitt’s character wielding the STG-44, I have no issue with that either. The STG was innovative for its time, effective and efficient as well. I think it makes sense that an individual with the intelligence of War Daddy would be cognizant of those factors and would look to leverage any advantage available. I’ve heard the argument that the STG-44 was the first AR and that it was designed to cover the roles of 3 other weapon systems (LMG, SMG, Rifle) but to do so in a single platform. I do agree that ammunition would be a huge concern unless they were fortunate enough to have captured cases of it. I apologize for the lengthy comment, I got caught up in it.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks for that man! I appreciate the comment it reinforces my thoughts.

[@bavarianpotato]

Ammunition may not be that big of an issue for tankers. Their main weapons would be the guns mounted to the tank (both the main gun and the machine guns). Their personal weapons are mostly for personal defense & to fight their way out of a sticky situation if their tank is disabled. In that scenario, if you find an stg44 with a few loaded magazines, you'll be alright. If you run out permanently, just switch to any random smg.

[@clevlandblock]

Very well assembled video. You'll see a glimpse of a 44 in "Slaughterhouse Five". And there are several MP44s clearly seen in "Decision Before Dawn". I believe one turns up in an episode of "The Gallant Men". Also, there's an original WW2 photo on the internet of some GIs walking by a smoldering King Tiger and one is prominently carrying an MP44 as his only weapon.

[@mikebrase5161]

If you have ever taken apart an M-16, an M-249 and an M-240 you can take apart an STG. A friend bought one after I came home from Iraq and I had it apart the first time in about a Minute. The STG birthed those 3 weapons and all of them share at least one or more features.

[@HydraHolden]

Don’t forget the HK rollerlock series of guns too. The designers of the Mp-44 went to found HK.

[@johnmohanmusic]

4:54 "Then lastly, ammunition was an issue." This has to be the understatement of the century. Perhaps the narrator meant to say "firstly" when he said "lastly". LOL

[@tabletopgeneralsde310]

Good video mate, nearly all informations you every find are in here and well presented. Thank you for your work.

[@alexboehm3919]

Years ago my great uncle met a guy who was a veteran of the battle of the bulge. He had captured an STG 44 during the battle, and when he got home he put it up on a wall in his garage. Then one day a man from the government showed up & told him he couldn’t keep the weapon in that condition, since it was an unregistered fully automatic rifle. So he got the firing mechanism welded together so it couldn’t fire

[@minxythemerciless]

The STG44 was used by terrorists in the early stages of the Syrian war. They were looted army stock put into storage decades before. The terrorists also used FAL from Libya but stopped due to a lack of ammo

[@VanemParm]

Which side were the terrorists?

[@minxythemerciless]

@@VanemParm The ones who lost due to many bad habits including blowing themselves up and chopping off heads for the camera.

[@paladinsix9285]

@@VanemParm Daesh, were the terrorists. Although the Syrian government forces, and their Iranian allies such as the IRG (Iranian Revolutionary Guards) Quods forces and Hezbollah terrorists; used Terrorism, such as crude poison gas bombs, Rape, and Murder of non-combatants!

[@Sp00nexe]

@@paladinsix9285 You spelled the opposition wrong but sure

[@HO-bndk]

They are also visible in pictures of Mohammed Farah Aidid's militia in Somalia. Ironic, as a genuine WW2 manufactured Stg is a museum piece that commands a high price with collectors.

[@MonotoneCreeper]

Another thing to mention about using an enemy weapon, especially one as distinctive looking as the stg-44, is that it could put you at risk of friendly fire. It is already hard enough to tell friend from foe in combat, and someone seeing you with an enemy rifle may end badly.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Very good point!

[@captainoblivious_yt]

They would rarely look at the weapon to identify enemies vs foes. That's what the uniforms were for.

[@re1010]

Unfortunately, it was confirmed by Jack Churchill himself that he never used his sword and bow in combat. Even though he did have a sense of chivalry, he was still a commando who understood that chivalrous traditions like that in modern war can get someone killed.

[@snakeplissken2148]

finally someone who preferes the facts. the myth of the dude fighting like william wallace reapears constantly for some reason.

[@benschlipf70]

Glad to see Jin Roh make an appearance. Underrated anime movie

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

It was the first movie I thought to use for this one. Great film.

[@omerashraf9357]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq great video as always . ever thought of doing the panzershrek since you have already done the panzerfaust ????

[@omerashraf9357]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq is jin roh the cyberpunk/steampunk type anime of an authoritarian regime that has a lot of similarities to Nazi Germany ???? the clip is from jin roh right that you use in the video ?????????

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

@@omerashraf9357 yup you got it! Might do more antitank weapons in the future yup!

[@omerashraf9357]

@@JohnnyJohnsonEsq YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!! So can you answer my anime question bro ??????

[@D.M.S.]

I probably watched almost your whole channel at that point. Please keep making this type of videos!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks so much! Got a new one for tonight.. hopefully :)

[@therealunclevanya]

2:05 the film "Come and See" is worth watching. A truly harrowing film.

[@zawtun4864]

So lucky. The Germans get to hold a 54k dollar gun

[@CurtRowlett]

Yet another interesting video aimed at a particular weapon of war! As you mentioned, I've also always thought that the StG 44 resembled the AK-47. From what I understand, it was a very reliable assault rifle. Nice job.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks as always Kurt 🙏

[@ioanbugheanu6836]

It does visually resemble it, however the interior mechanism is very different, so to say the AK design was 'stolen' from the sturmgwehr is also untrue.

[@mbr5742]

@@ioanbugheanu6836 It was inspired by it. But then Mikail Kalashnikov added enough ideas/concepts of his own to make it HIS rifle and not a copy.

[@dannycampbell5255]

Kind of looks like it but the ak takes alot more from the m1 grande then it does from the Stg44 .

[@puenboy1]

It’s true. Even Kalashnikov said so. The difference in arms development was that copying or imitating technology was not seen as bad or shameful. Everyone copied arms design from each other, sometimes even copying copies themselves.

[@edm240b9]

I actually saw some old footage of a tank moving through a field in Germany during the Bulge 1945. It was only for a brief second, but you can clearly see a G.I. moving up with the tank holding a STG44 in the air. The footage cuts very quickly after, but you can tell it’s an STG due to the distinctive look.

[@ddegn]

Yeah, I found a video I hadn't already seen. This was another fun one Johnny. Thanks.

[@barrythatcher9349]

@Johnny Johnson can do complete review of Forest Grump. Thanks mate. The bit where assembles his rifle in record time cracks me up every time 😂

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Gùuuuuuump!

[@comediccarnage8059]

Your content really is amazing. Keep up the great work!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@petebianconi5781]

Nice job. That was really interesting. Thanks

[@MrChainsawAardvark]

The STG-44 and AK-47 are essentially approaching an opposite problem, and meeting in the middle. For a variety of reasons, the German forces were more effective at long ranges, and the Soviet preformed better at short ones. So on one hand we have a long to medium range rifle, that has an emergency full auto if the enemy gets close while on the other we have a full-auto SMG with a back-up semi-auto mode for longer shots. Both started with a cartridge case wide enough for an older round, that gets necked down, which in turn needs a curved magazine to feed properly.

[@dreadpiratedan4664]

a note: most people say the STG and the AK are one in the same they are not the main difference is in the bolt carrier assembly, rotating bolt on the AK-47 while the STG has a tilting bolt. They do share a long stroke gas piston but in all actuality the AK as more in common with the M1 Garand then the STG and here is a video that talks about this topic m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGXPZGamqrx4ipI

[@Excalibur01]

The STG44 is more similar with the M16 as it has a dust cover, the magazine becomes straight and goes straight up vs the AK rock and lock and it also has a button to release the mag. The stock also contains the recoil spring.

[@Floofrer]

STG 44 = HK 33 and M16 AK has "entirely" different mechanism when you disassemble it and compare. Atleast the Russian are humble on how it looks similar

[@hanfpeter2822]

But neither the hk nor the m16 function like a stg44.

[@mbr5742]

@@hanfpeter2822 The H/K 33 functions closer to the Geraet 06H / StG 45. That gun was later refined into the H/K G3 and the H&K 33 is a 5.56Nato variant. Totally different system (recoil operated, the AK, Stg 44 and the Mattel Toy are gas operated)

[@hanfpeter2822]

@@mbr5742 thats my point. Die what floofrer is trying to convey

[@stevebrownrocks6376]

Your videos are great! I’m now subscribed, keep up the good work Johnny! 👏🏼😎

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks man! Welcome to the channel 🙏

[@eksbocks9438]

5:42 There's also a few pictures floating around where Soviet troops used the STG-44. And also one with a Polish soldier, during the battle in Warsaw (1944).

[@MalakianM2S]

The remark about the scottish soldier really made my day. Imagine you are a fallschirmjäger in Italy, you are already losing the war and being sieged, and you see a guy in a skirt (I know it's a kilt, I use skirt for comedic impact) charging uphill at you with a broadsword. The whole thing is Monty Python's sketch worthy.

[@eddiethailand]

I love the way you make these vids man! Great work!

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Thanks Eddie!

[@gregp7379]

Great to see "Mad Jack" get a mention. Only recorded confirmed kill in ww2 with a bow and arrow.

[@antartis73]

I truly love this rifle and I believe those who have shot it like Ian in the forgotten weapons channel kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqS1g6FpbLV3l7M concur that it was a game changer. The common infantry soldier could provide his own fire support while his comrades advanced and then the roles switched. In fact I have read somewhere that casualties in units that test used the StG44/MP44 on the eastern front were much lower than other units that still relied on the Kar.98 and Mg.42 combination due to the weapon’s increased effectiveness in the assault phase.

[@thekhoifish0146]

Never thought I’d hear Johnny say “edgy”

[@covertops19Z]

Just now, this popped up on my feed. As a person of lengthy military service in small arms and using them. I endorse your brief here. BRAVO ZULU, Well Done..✔️

[@malevlane887]

0:34 from good film "1944"

[@Chriskros1984]

Intresting mate ! Well made

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

StG 44 available in 2021. Chambered in 22 lr. Great addition to any collection

[@bigblue6917]

You have to wonder what difference this weapon would have made in it was introduced earlier as originally planned.

[@hoyschelsilversteinberg4521]

Look up the Gerat06H from Forgotten Weapons. What would become the STG45, had that have been introduced before the pre-emptive invasion of the Soviet Union it would have turned out very differently.

[@fluffskunk]

Germany still would have lost. A better service rifle can't make up for logistics that still depended on horses. Or American industrial capacity that by itself dwarfed the combined output of the Axis powers. If Germany is able to hang in the war a little longer, Berlin gets to be the first city destroyed by a nuclear bomb. Nazis always lose from the moment the US commits fully to the war.

[@fiery_ginger7530]

I love when u use 1944 film for clips its one of my favorite movies

[@awc6007]

Amazing video. Subscribed.

[@kremit5084]

I always love the “alriiigghhhh” of these videos

[@dustyak79]

In Fury I do have issue on how Brad Pitt Used it. He had a perfectly good tank commanders BROWNING! Right next to him on a couple scenes yet he dives into the tank to pull out the 44! Also interviews with technical advisors said when they were asked what gun a US tanker would likely have captured and used they suggested a P38 or MP40 But ole ego brad wanted something bigger and flashier so they ignored them and Brad picked the 44 on his own.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Yah I agree with you on this. I suppose the only point I was trying to make is that there are lots of instances of odd and personal weapon use in war.

[@HO-bndk]

Oh well, at least he didn't choose an MG-42! By 1945, even the Germans were running out of ammo for everything so actually using a looted weapon was a bit silly for that reason too.

[@JH-lo9ut]

I believe the term used in the movie industry is "Hero prop".

[@VanemParm]

Always nice to see "1944" featured in your vids.

[@MGBandit75]

Just getting one as a trophy would be good enough for me. Such a beautiful weapon.

[@notthestatusquo7683]

4:46 Could have put that Generation Kill scene in the video. -You guys got that? -It's fucking ours. -No it's not, it's an AK. -Yeah? And it belongs to our fucking platoon commander.

[@jackal117489]

Love these videos 👍

[@Autobotmatt428]

Thanks Johnny

[@Gruntilda-Winkybunion]

i love this Weapon! i dont know why, but i just like it

[@enscroggs]

Probably the earliest appearance of a sturmgewehr in a movie is in "Decision Before Dawn" from 1951, which is available on KZbin. Good movie starring Oskar Werner.

[@shadowtrooper262]

I really like the STG-44. A very unique beauty of its time. I also don’t think many know about STG-44’s sibling the STG-45.

[@mbr5742]

The grandson is better known. The H&K G3 is still around and punching holes through walls all over the world.

[@fluffskunk]

STG-45 is associated with young boys and old men throwing their lives away in a futile defense of Berlin, and with terrible quality control. But it's basically a rough draft of the G3/CETME.

[@charlessedlacek5754]

You make good points..no matter how advanced enemy weapons are, if you CANNOT FIND AMMO, they are USELESS.

[@gypsydildopunks7083]

Very good video, thanks

[@GannicusMisteriosdeHonduras]

That gun looks so modern still

[@tnt-hv6qw]

cool insight thanks

[@eksbocks9438]

2:47 Forgotten Weapons did interview someone about this before. Allied troops did capture STG-44s during the Battle of the Bulge. But troops were hesitant to use them because it was difficult to get ammo for it. Favoring captured pistols instead. Army Ordinance did an assessment on the Sturmgewehr after the war. But they didn't see it as a "revolutionary design." Instead, they incorrectly stated that Germany only did this because their resources were drying up. And that it was inferior to the M1 Garand. (The same reason why they were so adamant about a full rifle cartridge for NATO.)

[@dolyharianto]

1:22 I didn't know the bullet ejector on AK-47 sounds like a cash register.

[@sarahm7849]

Whats the film at 1:31? I am following along the guide but not sure which one.

[@bengtgronlund9447]

More interesting thing. in 5:09 it looks clearly like a real original combat photo, but the iron sight is folded on the MG, thus its not being fired at least not in that picture.

[@bobafettslaundryroom755]

I'd love to see a video about the RPK light machine gun.

[@gundam5281]

The STG 44 was unsuitable for wide scale mass production and deployment. However, the STG 45M would have PERFECTLY filled that gap by fixing the problems that made the STG 44 unsuitable as a Kar98k replacement. It's just like how the MP40 replaced the MP38 and the MG42 that replaced the MG34.

[@craigclemens986]

Who says it was unsuitable?

[@craigclemens986]

@Tranhoang Long so you’re backing off your original words.

[@trooperdgb9722]

@Tranhoang Long Not in strategic terms it wouldn't have. NO small arms have that sort of effect ... (except perhaps to SOME extent where 2 different levels of technology clash....such as in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 - where Prussia had the Dreyse breechloaders against the Austrian Lorenz muzzleloading rifles.. and even there the better training of the Prussians was probably more important than their superior equipment)

[@trooperdgb9722]

@Tranhoang Long You are overestimating the effect of the Infantry's personal weapons on the outcome of major battles, at least those after about 1900. Artillery, Air power and Machine guns were (and still are) what really counted.... and you seem to forget how many Soviet troops carried Submachine guns... The US Army was universally equipped with semi auto rifles.. (far more effective in almost all circumstances than a full auto shoulder fired rifle) and yet they still struggled against the predominantly bolt action rifle equipped Wehrmacht. Why? Because the German machine guns and artillery were so good...

[@heinerheise703]

@@trooperdgb9722 German infantry tactics were heavyly based on getting the MG into fire position, being protected by the guys with K98ks.^^

[@Saffi____]

I would question its use in Fury because the rifle isnt small so trying ro use it as a tank commander would be problematic. This is why submachine guns were preferred due to its smaller size.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

One of the points I've made - is that the BAR - as an Automatic Rifle - was the predecessor of the Assault Rifles. It was designed as an Assault Weapon that the maneuver element could take into the enemy position with them but unlike an SMG could also be used at range. The Assault Rifles - were designed to do that same job - but as later developments were lighter with lighter ammunition so you could carry more of it. Sadly - the BAR was miss used by the American Army as a Magazine Fed Light Machine Gun - which it was NOT - and now - you see all these comparisons between BAR's - which were Automatic Rifles - and things like Bren Guns - which WERE Magazine Fed Light Machine Guns. Eventually - the American Combat Troops used the BAR as intended - as an Assault Weapon - with the Marines having 3 per squad and the Army having an extra 6 per platoon (allowing them to have a total of 2 per squad). You don't ever see BARs compared to Assault Rifles though - you always see them compared to Magazine Fed LMG's. It is the Historians Job - to stand knee deep in a river of ignorance and try to bail it out with a thimble ... .

[@TDR85]

Fury was a great movie, but it is just that.. a movie. Most people thought War Daddy was using an AK47 because they had no idea what an stg44 is.

[@rolfagten857]

Hi Johnny well edited video! But also seen in the East German movies "The Adventures of Werner Holt" (1966) and "Meine Stunde Null" (1970). But this one was also featured in "The dirty Dozen the next mission" (1985) in the train scene.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Ah shoot I knew I forgot the Dirty Dozen. Thanks for adding a few for me to add to my collection 🙏

[@Sven-ql3ch]

AK47 wasnt inspired by STG at all, Kalashnikov made a project of his gun before STG or MKB appeared on front. American weapons have much more in common with STG than AK

[@Kruppt808]

working in construction the last 25 years, i worked with a General Contractor for a big Rug company. He was a retired Airforce trooper, with the 82nd or 101st, which ever jumped in Italy. He jumped in Korea as well and what we call Hamburger Hill. One of my younger guys was skeptical that this soft spoken older gentleman supposedly did all this amazing historic stuff. So we were talking at lunch one day, an AC repair guy was agreeing with my guy that this older person(in his 70s) probably was a liar. He didn't get mad, i told him they are just young and dumb, you don't have justify or prove anything. I know what he did because of the stories he told me, to detailed and matched with actual history, he rolled up his pants leg, showed them AK bullet holes going through his legs, he got those jumping in Vietnam on Hamburger Hill...... they went dead silent and never so much as glanced at him again.

[@FusionCoreHoarder]

Regarding the usage of enemy weapons, Soviet scouts in WW2 used MP40s in mission that required them to go behind German lines. Because in the event that they got into a firefight, the familiar weapon sound would not (hopefully) cause a huge alarm

[@rdjhardy]

Stg-44's were used in British films and telly in the 60s and 70s as stand ins for AK-47s with were not easily available.

[@billyponsonby]

Silhouette and identification by weapon carried meant picking up such a distinctive weapon was hazardous to a US infantryman’s health.

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

Exactly. It's almost the first thing someone will look at to identify a friendly vs enemy target.

[@jmantime]

The STG-44 was an evolution of the Vollmer M35 and Czech ZK-412 assault rare rifle concepts.

[@peterkerr4019]

Hi Johnny, in the historically accurate (as much as possible, that is) Vietnam movie Danger Close an enemy of the Australian troops is seen with an STG-44. Some of these weapons would have been brought over by the French after WW2, but many were also supplied by Russia who had warehouses of captured enemy weapons & ammunition.

[@joehenderson8967]

There’s a captured mp40 in a museum where I live that was used by the guy who captured it, he’s from around the area I live

[@wabapoiss5905]

cool that you used some footage from the estonian movie 1944 again,

[@michaelcalland801]

Regarding the use of enemy weapons… I’ve read that German soldiers at Stalingrad preferred using the PPSh-41 over their own MP 40s & would often pick them up & use them in close quarters situations.

[@RailfanDownunder]

During the 1941 siege of Tobruk, Australian troops formed 'The Bush Artillery' using captured Italian field pieces (often without sights) to supplement the perimeter artillery - manned often as not by ostensibly noncombatant troops

[@wulfengel]

Mad Jack Churchill, cheers for mentioning him, a Madlad through and through. Jerry didn't want to shoot him because they thought he was mad and pitied him, at least thats the account of one German prisoner on a commando raid, and the time he got all his outnumbered soldiers to scream "commando" in unison and it caused the Germans who outnumbered them something like 3:1 to surrender thinking they were surrounded. xD It's great because through his madness he, I guess, prevented a few deaths. He also shot someone successfully with a longbow and managed to walk off a landing craft playing bagpipes without getting shredded by an mg42, he is the Commando of all commandos and he did it for fun and got disappointed when he heard Germany surrendered, because he wasn't finished yet. Rule Britannia

[@williamromine5715]

Are you ever finished with a bagpipe? I do love the sound of the pipe. And what better to build up the moral of troops in battle?

[@jonnoMoto]

When you talk about firing an unfamiliar weapon amongst friendlies I half expected a clip from generation kill where "captain america" gets torn a new one for using an ak

[@JohnnyJohnsonEsq]

lol damn that would have been good

[@bugrayavuzbaykiz2990]

Another good video btw Jin roh was good anime-movie for me