Comments on: They waited until a companion was hit

By: Kirk

Kirk — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 02:51:12 +0000

Specifically, the “burp gun” was what the average GI called the PPSh-41 in colloquial terms. The Soviets called it the “Papasha”, or “daddy”.

In WWII, the term would typically refer to the German submachineguns, whose higher rate of fire than American ones got them the “burp gun” nickname. Korean war, it was the PPSh-41. Which had a really, really high rate of fire–You’d empty a stick magazine with a trigger pull, and the 71-round drum was only good for a few bursts.

Typically, of course, the majority of the rounds would go anywhere but where the gunner was wanting them to.

By: Isegoria

Isegoria — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 17:20:00 +0000

A “burp” gun is a submachine gun.

By: Bruce Purcell

Bruce Purcell — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 06:35:39 +0000

Heck, Joe Haldeman was issued a useless M-16 in Vietnam, don’t know what else he could do but grab a good one from someone who was down.

By: The Dividualist

The Dividualist — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 20:20:02 +0000

The heck is a “burp” gun?

By: Ezra

Ezra — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 14:59:50 +0000

Four ranks in line attacking simultaneously. First rank throwing grenades. Second rank firing “burp” guns. Third rank with rifles. Fourth rank picking up the weapons of those that had fallen.

Probably a commissar in the rear with pistol shooting any shirkers or malingerers.