Brief Operational History

The RPG-2 anti-tank rocket launcher was derived from the German Panzerfaust.  It was a dramatic improvement over the Panzerfaust.  Even though the PG-2 projectile was very similar to the German weapon, it had improved range, better armor penetration, and was more accurate.  It was rapidly adopted by the Soviet armed forces in the early 1950's.

Although the RPG-2 was never used in combat by Soviet forces, it was widely exported to allied communist nations such as China, North Korea, and North Vietnam.  Many of these weapons were also used in the Vietnam war.

The weapon remained in Soviet service well into the 1960's as it was replaced by the RPG-7.  I do not currently know where it was produced, and if any reader could tell me I would appreciate it.

Tactical Use and Limitations

The RPG-2 is a primitive rocket launching system.  Its primary weaknesses are its short range (150 meters) and low warhead yield.  These weaknesses are due largely to technology passing it by.  Even though it cannot penetrate most modern armors, it is still seen as a valued weapon by the Chinese and North Koreans.

In the 1950's it was effective against the vehicles of its time, and was a large improvement over the anti-tank rifles it replaced.  It also offered a way to project the power of anti-tank grenades over a much longer range.

In combat the weapon had a crew of two, even though one man could fire the weapon himself.  Each crew man would carry a special pouch containing three PG-2 rounds.  The assistant gunner would watch out for enemy infantry while the gunner would engage the target.

Method of Operation

The RPG-2 is a simple weapon to use.  The rocket is first loaded into the weapon, by sliding it into position.  The operator should be careful to ensure that it is loaded properly.  The rocket is to be aligned with a small groove in the launcher to ensure that the striker will align with the primer of the rocket.  When the trigger is pulled, a striker in the trigger assembly is released that hits a primer on the bottom side of the rocket.  This ignites the propelling charge which then burns for about two seconds as it carries the rocket out to its maximum range.

Deployment Chronology

Here you can see what weapons the RPG-2 rocket launcher replaced and what weapons eventually replaced it.  You can find out more about each weapon by clicking on the links below.

Sources Cited

Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you.  We hope you can find them as useful as we have. 

• FM 100-2-3, The Soviet Army by Headquarters US Army, Washington DC, 1984
• The Poor Man's RPG, by George Dmitrieff, published by Desert Publications, El Dorado Arizona, 1996..