Day of Defeat Weapons
Allied Weapons
Garand Rifle
Operation: Semiautomatic
Caliber: .30-06 Rifle
Capacity: 8 round clip
Weight: 9.5 lbs
Damage: Heavy
Accuracy: Good
Recoil: Heavy
The first self-loading (semiauto) rifle to enter a nation's service as the stanard issue rifle was the M1 Garand. Production began in 1936, and the Garand proved to be reliable, tough, and effective. While German infantry doctrine revolved around the machinegun, American doctrine counted on the rifle.
Game Tips: The distinctive 'ping' sound of a Garand clip being ejected can be heard by nearby players - a dead giveaway to the enemy that you're out of ammo.
Thompson Submachine Gun
Operation: Automatic
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 30 round box magazine
Weight: 11 lbs
Damage: Moderate
Accuracy: Medium
Recoil: Moderate
The Thompson Submachine Gun, also known as the "Tommygun", was made in a wide variety of forms - sold in both the civilian and military market. When the US Army was rearmed in the late 1930's, the Thompson was eventually accepted, entering service in 1938.
Several changes were made to the weapon to alleviate the cost of manufacturing, and the Thompson M1 was born.
Game Tips: The Tommygun can be devestating at short range - aim low and fire in long bursts - the recoil will drag your fire upwards across your target.
Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)
Operation: Automatic
Caliber: .30-06 Rifle
Capacity: 20 round box magazine
Weight: 18.5 lbs
Damage: Heavy
Accuracy: Good
Recoil: Heavy
Designed by John Browning during World War I, the Browning Automatic Rifle saw limited service in that conflict. It's major use came during World War II when American squads needed heavy, automatic fire on the move. Not quite a rifle, and not quite a light machinegun, the BAR served as an interesting, effective hybrid of the two.
Game Tips: The BAR's heavy recoil and low magazine capacity will make long range automatic fire useless. Fire in 2-3 shot bursts for the best effectiveness.
M1 Carbine
Operation: Semiautomatic
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Capacity: 15 round box magazine
Weight: 5 lbs
Damage: Light
Accuracy: Good
Recoil: Light
The most widespread American weapon of World War II was not a rifle, handgun, or even a submachinegun; rather, it was a combination of all three: the M1 Carbine. In 1938, the army requested a light weapon for use by officers, NCO's, drivers, machinegunners, signallers and others who would find a rifle an akward hindrance. By 1941, the M1 Carbine entered service, and by war's end, nearly 6 million were produced.
Game Tips: The .30 Carbine round is not the same round used in other .30 caliber weapons - it is shorter, and much weaker. Most enemies will require several hits to be taken out.
Springfield '03 Sniper Rifle
Operation: Bolt-action
Caliber: .30-06 Rifle
Capacity: 5 round stripper clip
Weight: 9.38 lbs
Damage: Heavy
Accuracy: Very Good
Recoil: Heavy
The Springfield rifle was the standard issue rifle of American forces all throughout World War I and up until 1938. During World War II, however, leftover springfields were delegated to other roles, including a sniper rifle.
Game Tips: Crouching and laying on the ground will help eliminate the "sway" encountered while zoomed in. Standing and firing is very difficult with this weapon.
.30 Caliber Air-Cooled Machinegun
Operation: Belt-fed, automatic
Caliber: .30-06 Rifle
Capacity: 150 round belt
Weight: 32.5 lbs (with bipod)
Damage: Heavy
Deployed Accuracy: Good
Undeployed Accuracy: Poor
Deployed Recoil: Light
Undeployed Recoil: Heavy
Another weapon developed by John Browning, also known simply as the '30 cal', saw widespread use throughout World War II as both a vehicle mount and infantry weapon. Surprisignly light for the capabilities bestowed, the 30 cal is a tough and reliable weapon, and thousands are still in service around the world today.
Game Tips: The 30 cal has a reasonable rate of fire and a large supply of ammo - making sustained suppressive fire very useful with this weapon.
MG Useage: Machineguns are nearly useless when not deployed. Go 'prone' and hit 'secondary fire' to deploy your bipod. (Or, find an 'MG nest' to deploy the bipod while standing.)
Colt 1911 Pistol
Operation: Semiautomatic
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7 round box magainze
Weight: 2.43 lbs
Damage: Moderate
Accuracy: Poor
Recoil: Moderate
In 1907, a series of trials was carried out to find a handgun to replace the existing .38 caliber service revolvers. The eventual winner of the 1907 trials was a square, solid-looking automatic developed by John Browning. Four years later this handgun entered service as the Colt M1911, and it was to become one of the most successful and popular military pistols of modern times.
Game Tips: Single shots with a pistol are uneffective. Firing in quick succession is your only reasonable chance of overcoming an opponent with his primary weapon.
US Issue Knife
Damage: Moderate
Standard issue knife to all US WWII servicemen, used as a utility knife for all situations, and as a 'last resort' self defense weapon.
Game Tips: A knife will usually only kill in one hit if it is to the head - so aim high.
Fragmentation Grenade
Damage: Heavy
US Army standard "pineapple" fragmentation grenade. Issued in varying numbers to combat troops for assault, defense, and special purpose.
Game Tips: Enemy grenades can be caught and thrown back. When you see an enemy grenade on the ground (or in the air, if you're really good!), hit the 'use' key to catch it and the 'fire' key to throw it back. Be quick, though - grenades only have a 5 second fuse.
Axis Weapons
Mauser Karbiner 98k
Operation: Bolt-action
Caliber: 8mm Mauser
Capacity: 5 round stripper clip
Weight: 8.5 lbs
Rifle Damage: Heavy
Bayonette Damage: Moderate
Accuracy: Great
Recoil: Heavy
The Karbiner series of rifles were issued to most German infantrymen throughout World War I and II. It proved reliable through both wars: delivering heavy rounds at long ranges, with great accuracy. An attachable bayonet was also included as standard issue.
Game Tips: In addition to the K98's great accuracy at long ranges, the bayonette can be a very effective weapon in close quarters - hit the 'secondary fire' key to use it.
MP40 Machine Pistol
Operation: Automatic
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Capacity: 31 round box magazine
Weight: 8.7 lbs
Damage: Moderate
Accuracy: Medium
Recoil: Moderate
Since the early 30's, work had been underway to form a true submachinegun - looking forward to the new 'Lightning War' doctrine of high mobility and maximum local superiority. Introduced in 1938, at a time when all the world's submachineguns were unnecessarily heavy and expensive - the new MP38 Maschinenpistole (and subsequent MP40) revolutionized conventional ideas of what a sub-machine gun should be.
Game Tips: Like the Tommygun, the MP40 is one of the few guns that can be used effectively on the run - although accuracy is poor while moving, the MP40's volume of fire will usually keep it effective.
MP44 Assault Rifle
Operation: Automatic
Caliber: 8mm Kurz
Capacity: 30 round "banana clip"
Weight: 11.5 lbs
Damage: Moderate
Accuracy: Medium
Recoil: Moderate
The MP44 assault rifle was easily one of the biggest achievements in history for the modern infantryman. The first ever of its kind in that it used a shortened rifle cartridge - more powerful than standard pistol ammo, but not so powerful as to become uncontrollable in sustained fire. The MP44, if production had continued, would have replaced every rifle and submachinegun in the German Army.
Game Tips: The MP44 is a good weapon all-around. It's accuracy is slightly better than the SMG's, so can be used at both long and short range.
Mauser Karbiner 98k Sniper Rifle
Operation: Bolt-action
Caliber: 8mm Mauser
Capacity: 5 round stripper clip
Weight: 11 lbs
Damage: Heavy
Accuracy: Great
Recoil: Heavy
The standard german infantryman's weapon was easily adapted as a sniper rifle with a simple "High Turret" scope attachment. This versatility was one of the reason's the K98's service life was so long.
Game Tips: Crouching and laying on the ground will help eliminate the "sway" encountered while zoomed in. Standing and firing is very difficult with this weapon.
MG34 Machine Gun
Operation: Belt-fed, automatic
Caliber: 8mm Mauser
Capacity: 75 round 'assault' drum
Weight: 26.6 lbs
Damage: Heavy
Deployed Accuracy: Good
Undeployed Accuracy: Poor
Deployed Recoil: Light
Undeployed Recoil: Heavy
The MG34 was a truly revolutionary development - it gave the German infantryman the world's first machine gun that was fully capable of providing a high volume of sustained firepower without sacrificing speed of movement and tactical flexibility. Today every military power in the world employs machine guns that have evolved from the basic configuration and principles of the MG34.
Game Tips: The MG34 has the best accuracy of all the MG's - it will retain some effectiveness undeployed and on the move, although a deployed position is still recommended.
MG Useage: Machineguns are nearly useless when not deployed. Go 'prone' and hit 'secondary fire' to deploy your bipod. (Or, find an 'MG nest' to deploy the bipod while standing.)
MG42 Machine Gun
Operation: Belt-fed, automatic
Caliber: 8mm Mauser
Capacity: 250 round belt
Weight: 25.3 lbs
Damage: Heavy
Deployed Accuracy: Good
Undeployed Accuracy: Very poor
Deployed Recoil: Light
Undeployed Recoil: Extreme
Hurried into development to overcome problems with the MG34, the radical new MG42 established a reputation for reliability and combat effectiveness despite its crude appearance. It's revolutionary yet simple design soldiers on even today with the German Bundeswehr and other European armies, in a form virtually identical to the very first production models.
Game Tips: The MG42 has the highest rate of fire of any weapon in the game - over 1200 rounds per minute! Because of this, it will chew through ammo fairly quickly - it can even overheat it's barrel if you don't control your fire.
MG Useage: Machineguns are nearly useless when not deployed. Go 'prone' and hit 'secondary fire' to deploy your bipod. (Or, find an 'MG nest' to deploy the bipod while standing.)
P08 Luger Pistol
Operation: Semiautomatic
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Capacity: 8 round box magazine
Weight: 1.93 lbs
Damage: Moderate
Accuracy: Poor
Recoil: Light
The Luger Pistol is easily one of the most infamous pistols on earth. The 9mm parabellum cartridge first came about in 1902 and was adopted by the German Navy in 1904. By 1908, it was the standard German service pistol of all military branches.
Game Tips: Single shots with a pistol are uneffective. Firing in quick succession is your only reasonable chance of overcoming an opponent with his primary weapon.
"Spade" Entrenchment Tool
Damage: Heavy
Most soldiers in any army were issued "entrenching tools" - compact, light shovels that aided in the construction of foxholes, fortifications, etc. It was found through combat experience that the German entrenching tool - a "spade" - was much more effective in close quarters combat than a standard knife or bayonet.
Game Tips: The Spade does slightly more damage than the other hand-to-hand weapons - either a hit to the body or head will take out an opponent.
SS Knife
Damage: Moderate
A rare "showpiece" knife that was sometimes used in combat if the situation was desperate enough.
Game Tips: A knife will usually only kill in one hit if it is to the head - so aim high.
Stielhandgranate 24
Damage: Heavy
Basic German hand grenade - also called a 'stick grenade' or 'potato masher'. Although the stick allowed these grenades to be thrown farther than most others, it also added extra weight to the grenade and made them very cumbersome to carry in large numbers.
Game Tips: Enemy grenades can be caught and thrown back. When you see an enemy grenade on the ground (or in the air, if you're really good!), hit the 'use' key to catch it and the 'fire' key to throw it back. Be quick, though - grenades only have a 5 second fuse.