The German FG42 Paratroop Rifle (Book Collector Grade Pubns, 1990)

The FG 42 parachute rifle, of which three improved models were produced, was one of the most extraordinary infantry handguns of the Second World War.

Its designer, Louis Stange of Rheinmetall-Borsig, had succeeded in developing a rifle for the powerful infantry cartridge that, while light, could also fire targeted shots.

No other self-loading rifle was capable of this.

The story of the FG 42's development is no less extraordinary.

It was not designed under the direction of the Army Weapons Office, which was solely responsible for the development of infantry handguns, but under the responsibility of the Reich Aviation Ministry's Shipborne Weapons Department.

This was only possible because of the Luftwaffe's special position in the structure of the Wehrmacht, a position it owed to its Commander-in-Chief, the Reich Minister of Aviation and Hitler's crown prince, Hermann Göring.

Thanks to the freedom of maneuver Göring enjoyed with Hitler right up to the end of the war, he was able to successfully defend the plans of his military branch against the objections of the Wehrmacht High Command, the Army and the Speer Ministry.