The Panzerschreck training

The Wehrmacht always tried to give their personnel the best possible training before soldiers (and especially specialists) were sent to the front. Very often shooting practice was done with sub-caliber weapons to keep the cost of ammunition as low as possible. In the case of the Panzerfaust, at least 3 different models of training devices were envisaged and drawings distributed through the "Von der Front für die Front". They were fabricated by the units themselves. These training aids would even simulate the firing of a live rocket, just with the help of a 7.92x57 Platzpatrone 33. These training aids were manufactured using a spent Faust tube. In the case of the Panzerschreck such a device was not possible, as the weapon was reusable. But the Heereswaffenamt was clearly aware of the need for training aids.

On 26 November 1944 the "Progress report" from the Wa.Prüf des Heereswaffenamt stated:

Die kurzfristig angelaufene Entwicklung des Übungsgeräts auf der Basis des Übungsschießgeräts 34 steht vor dem Abschluß. Die Massenfertigung wird vorbereitet. (The short time development of the exercise device based on the Übungsschießgeräts 34 will soon be completed. Mass production is being prepared.)

The above statement was somewhat optimistic. On 10 December 1944 the "Progress report" stated:

Muster des Übungsschiessgeräts soll ab 15. 12 fertig sein. Fertigung wird durch WuG2 und Mun 4 vorbereitet.
(Patterns for the practice shooting device must be completed by 15. 12. Production is prepared by WuG2 and Mun 4.)

On 24 December 1944 the "Progress report" stated some progress:

Muster des Übungsschiessgerät liegt vor. Versuchsschießen und Vorführung sollen noch vor Weihnacht stattfinden.
(A model design for the practice shooting device is available. Test firings and demonstrations will take place before Christmas.)

Apart from these reports, no evidence shows that the device was ever manufactured. No surviving specimen of this Übungsschiessgerät is known. Not even a prototype or a set of the drawings has survived.
With this in mind, the following picture is very exciting to study!

This picture is dated 10 October 1944, and was taken by Kriegsberichter Schwahn. The text on the rear (as written by the Propaganda-Kompanie) states:
"Während einer kurzen Ruhepause, die die Grenadiere der Ersatzbrigade "Grossdeutschland" im Verlaufe einer Felddienstübung einlegten, benutzte die wissbegierige Dorfjugend die Gelegenheit, sich einmal alles "ganz genau" anzusehen.- Hier betrachten die Jungen interessiert den "Panzerschreck", die gefürchtete deutsche Panzernahbekämpfungs-Waffe [Raketen-Panzer-Büchse]." Scherl-Bilderdienst (Schwahn) 10.10.44
(During a field exercise, the grenadiers of the replacement brigade "Grossdeutschland" take a short rest. The inquisitive village children take the opportunity to study everything very carefully. Here the boys look interested at the "Panzerschreck", the dreaded German close range anti-tank weapon (Raketen-Panzer-Büchse). Scherl-Photoservice (Schwahn) 10.10.44)

At first glance, the "weapon" pictured above appears to be a Panzerschreck, but a closer look will reveal that it is just a training aid! It's not the Übungsschiessgerät discussed above, as the drawings for that one weren't finished until 2 1/2 months after this photo was taken. Unfortunately, this is the only picture that is known that shows this training aid, and it is partly covered by the kids. The below picture is cleaned up to allow to focus on the details.

Blue square; the contact box and the grenade catch are missing entirely. This suggests that this device was not used for loading practice at all. A rear sling swivel has been added, but there is no sling. The device has some kind of shield, but it doesn't resemble the original shield. This one looks more like a open box. Red square; it has a lid, closed with a square clasp of some sort. A bolt handle appears to be positioned in front of the closing clasp. This training device must have been locally made by the unit's Waffenmeister. Probably based on the same thoughts that were behind the Panzerfaust training aids. Maybe a device for shooting Platzpatronen 33 was concealed under the cover. The original photo-text was clearly incorrect.

Update!
A good friend recently bought these pictures on Ebay. They show a mock-up Panzerschreck with a K98-type bolt action inside. The contraption seems to be missing the bolt. The measuring tape in inches and the fact that they are stamped "Confidential" on the back leads me to believe that they are results from studies of captured enemy equipment. This device is not identical to the one pictured above, but so similar that I tend to believe that there must have been a "Von der Front für die Front" issue that described how to make them, much like the instructions for the Panzerfaust trainer.

Picture reprinted here by courtesy of William Bogdan
The resemblance to a real Panzerschreck is very good. There are two "rings" of screws holding the centering pieces that hold the rifle barrel. An opening has been cut in the tubing to allow the operation of the bolt handle. Although the Stoßgenerator appears to be present it is just a mock-up. The firing rod will in fact engage the trigger and sear of the rifle mechanism directly.

Picture reprinted here by courtesy of William Bogdan
This model appears to have been made without a covering lid, in contrast to the one pictured with the Grossdeutschland Grenadiers.

Update II!
My friend Bogdan has once again found some interesting information in his archives. The following pictures appeared on Ebay some years ago and show some pages from a H.Dv (Heeres Dienst Vorschrift). Unfortunately, it is impossible to get a clear enough view of the number to positively identify it. But from what I can see combined with a list of published manuals I am pretty sure that the pages comes from

H.Dv 298/20c Ausbildung und Einsatz der Panzergrenadiere (Panzergrenadier-Kompanie) Panzer-Nahbekämpfung 1944

The pages are marked "Anlage 2" (appendix 2 to main body).

They show building plans for a field-conversion that turns a Panzerschreck into a Panzerschreck training device. The actual Panzerschreck is severely modified in the process and cannot be used as a weapon when the contraption is removed again without serious repairs. A inner tube was mounted inside two wooden disks in the actual Panzerschreck. The Stoßgenerator was removed and the firing rod was made longer. A (damaged) K98k type bolt action rifle is soldered to a larger tube that would fit perfectly inside the reduced bore of the Panzerschreck. A wooden dummy projectile is inserted into the tube of the K98k, and the whole projectile/K98k mechanism is then acting as a "live round". It is loaded into the Panzerschreck like a normal round, and is arrested in position by a modified catch. It even has a dummy wire and wooden handle to attach to the contact box. Pulling the trigger will release the firing rod that will in turn strike the trigger of the K98k mechanism. The K98k mechanism is loaded with a blank (Platzpatrone 33) that will produce a "bang" and gases, that will in turn propel the wooden round that will leave the Panzerschreck. A certain amount of recoil will also appear, not matching the real McCoy, which would be recoilless. These plans made it possible for a skilled Waffenmeister to turn a damaged/unserviceable Panzerschreck into a training device. Not to be confused with the earlier mentioned plans to manufacture a practice shooting device.

Loading practice with the Panzerschreck
Apart from hitting the target the first time, ability to hit it again as fast as possible was judged as critical. The loading sequence had to be drilled over and over again to perfection to achieve this. The training tool for this purpose was the 8,8cm R. Pz B. Gr 4329 Ex. It was a standard grenade filled with tare to simulate the weight, and it had no rocket motor installed.

Elderly men of the Volksturm during loading practice with a 8,8cm R. Pz B. Gr 4329 Ex grenade. The picture is clearly staged. No instructor would line up his pupils like this during class.

Shooting practice with the Panzerschreck
A "cold" grenade was also developed. It had a "live" rocket, but a dummy warhead. It was the 8,8cm R. Pz B. Gr 4320 Bl. (Blind). It was marked with "4320 Bl" in black on two opposing sides of the warhead according to the instructions. But the only example I have found had only "Bl" painted in white on one side. Weight was the same as the 4322, so it must have had some kind of filling to compensate for the missing explosives. It was used for target practice only, and would of course be cheaper to manufacture than the 4322.

This picture shows the safety perimeter/set up for target practice, shooting the Panzerschreck. The target was placed within 200 meters, but the safety zone was 600 meters. The accompanying text states that the allowed elevation had to be "within the norm of shooting at a target at 200 meters". At an elevation of 45 degrees the rocket could go out to a distance of 1000 meters.

A fine day at the range! Instructional demonstration with a very large crowd of spectators. Early issue weapon being demonstrated in France, spring 1944. Note the lack of finger protection.

Instruction with the Panzerschreck
The following document was found in a file for a NCO course conducted in 1944. The candidates were briefly trained in all kinds of infantry weapons, so it was not a complete "designated" course for the Panzerschreck, it was only a orientation, meant to give them insight. The lesson below is a combined one for two weapon systems. I have translated the schedule part that is about the Panzerschreck. Note that the time available was divided on the two different systems.

Instruction at Panzerschreck and Pak:

Classes:
A) Panzerschreck:
The tank destroyer unit: organization and use
Ammunition (including the characteristics of grenades with rocket propellant)

Practical handling
a) Panzerschreck:
Parts of the Panzerschreck, loading and safety.
Aiming (including explanation of range marks and leading allowances)
Going into action (including activities of the shooters).

Lessons: 1 hour
Practical handling: 4 hours

Instructional materials for the Panzerschreck
All the printed matter, especially the manuals, for the Panzerschreck were part of the educational "package". In addition a series of 54 Dias frames was manufactured. It was called "Panzernahkampfwaffen" Teil 1: Panzerschreck. Reihe 149a. (Part 2 was for the Panzerfaust and part 3 was for the Gewehrgranatgerät). Accompanying the Dias pictures was a text booklet used by the instructor.

The keen observer will notice that I have the correct booklet, but the wrong Dias series. This is the 149b Panzerfaust series, and not the 149a.
But hey! Beggers can't be choosers...

Assorted pictures from the Dias series "Panzernahkampfwaffen" Teil 1: Panzerschreck. Reihe 149a.

If a light projector was unsuitable, like close to the front, a box of 20 booklets could be used instead. Every third soldier held a booklet so that the men on his left and right could watch the booklet simultaneously.

The "Merkblatt 77/2 8,8 cm R-Panzerbüchse 54 (Ofenrohr) Richtlinien für Ausbildung und Einsatz from 04 November 1943 regulated the education of the troops in the tactical use of the Panzerschreck.

I have translated the section E. of the manual and retyped it below.

The Panzerschreck training device