Estonian volunteers relax on a train at the base of their Lahti L-39 Anti Aircraft gun somewhere in Finland. The soldiers are private Endel Põllaste (left) and corporal Ants Käppa (right) who’s wearing a Suunto M34 Marssikompassi.
The Lahti L-39 is a Finnish 20 mm anti-tank rifle used during the Second World War. It had excellent accuracy, penetration and range, but its size made transportation difficult. It was nicknamed "Norsupyssy" ("Elephant Gun") because of its size and power.
Although the weapon was not able to penetrate newer Soviet tanks like the T-34 and KV-1, it still proved to be quite effective against bunker loopholes/embrasures, long range targets, and even aircraft. Other good targets were snipers, and several weak spots on tanks, such as open top hatches, especially with phosphorus ammunition. It was even able to damage tank turrets and pin them to stop traversal of the cannon.
The gun was also widely used in the 'Cold Charlie' counter-sniper technique, where the Finns would use a mannequin posing as an officer sloppily covering himself. Soviet snipers would fire upon the mannequin, and the Finns would then return fire at the Soviet snipers with the Lahti L-39. www.facebook.com/worldwarincolor/photos/a.39316942…
EstoniaANTICOMMUNIST
Finland, June 18th, 1944.
Estonian volunteers relax on a train at the base of their Lahti L-39 Anti Aircraft gun somewhere in Finland. The soldiers are private Endel Põllaste (left) and corporal Ants Käppa (right) who’s wearing a Suunto M34 Marssikompassi.
The Lahti L-39 is a Finnish 20 mm anti-tank rifle used during the Second World War. It had excellent accuracy, penetration and range, but its size made transportation difficult. It was nicknamed "Norsupyssy" ("Elephant Gun") because of its size and power.
Although the weapon was not able to penetrate newer Soviet tanks like the T-34 and KV-1, it still proved to be quite effective against bunker loopholes/embrasures, long range targets, and even aircraft. Other good targets were snipers, and several weak spots on tanks, such as open top hatches, especially with phosphorus ammunition. It was even able to damage tank turrets and pin them to stop traversal of the cannon.
The gun was also widely used in the 'Cold Charlie' counter-sniper technique, where the Finns would use a mannequin posing as an officer sloppily covering himself. Soviet snipers would fire upon the mannequin, and the Finns would then return fire at the Soviet snipers with the Lahti L-39.
www.facebook.com/worldwarincolor/photos/a.39316942…
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