MG42: "the greatest single battle implement ever devised by man"?

Question:The Garand??? No way!! It was okay if the rifleman was an experienced marksman. But consider the MG42: twenty (beltfed) to thirty (drumfed) rounds per second (twice the Browning rate of fire); hard-hitting 7.92mm, quick change barrels, superb reliability, the inspiration for the US M-60. Ten Germans with an MG42 could fire fifty rounds before the target understood they were underfire and instantaneouly relocate. The Jap Nambu LMG might have been a close second (6.5x50 cartridge a little light). I suggest that the remarkable defense of the Germans at Normandy, especially when the Hitler Jugend SS Div almost all by themselves held back the whole Allied invasion, was probably because the MG42 was so good.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: The Garand??? No way!! It was okay if the rifleman was an experienced marksman. But consider the MG42: twenty (beltfed) to thirty (drumfed) rounds per second (twice the Browning rate of fire); hard-hitting 7.92mm, quick change barrels, superb reliability, the inspiration for the US M-60. Ten Germans with an MG42 could fire fifty rounds before the target understood they were underfire and instantaneouly relocate. The Jap Nambu LMG might have been a close second (6.5x50 cartridge a little light). I suggest that the remarkable defense of the Germans at Normandy, especially when the Hitler Jugend SS Div almost all by themselves held back the whole Allied invasion, was probably because the MG42 was so good.

As far as purpose designed for light infantry - yes ; it was legendary and equal in most feared weapon second only to the 88mm in being dreaded by tank crews . An interesting point , the U.S.military even had training films to help alleviate the fear the infantryman had of it because of the sound associated with it . Almost like the Stalin Organ in creating a high state of anxiety .
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that might be part of it but also because he had the advantage most of the time inorder to get to the germans they had to be climbing hi hills and had great cover. all the germans had to do is shoot downward. But then again they had the help of the mg42. I guess its a great wepon.

I've seen a US Army training film from WW2 that admits Allied troops ran from the battlefield upon hearing the sound of an MG42.So much for Tom Brokaw's greatest generation.

The Garand was an excellent shoulder arm for the US. It was arguably superior to any standard issue rifle of the war. While the MG42 was an excellent machine gun it was still a support weapon, not the standard issue fire arm.

As to your assertion about the 12th SS holding back the entire invasion, it's simply not true. The tactics and the terrain allowed the Germans to delay the Allies. The 12th SS was not alone in that defense.

And if you really dislike that quote also remember it's source. It was George S. Patton who said it. And he wasn't likely to praise the enemy was he?

It just goes to show that weapons by themselves will not win wars. Something all Americans should take to heart.