ZG-1229 VAMPIR (Black Searchlight)

[panzerplatten]

Just watched a documentary on snipers during WWII, the effectiveness of Russian snipers during Stalingrad, and the lessons learned by German snipers put to use during Normandy and after, also the development of stealth tactics, and development of IR technology, I know the allies were also developing IR devices, but was this the first to be used in combat?
http://www.armasight.com/night-vision-ww2.html
Regards
Mark.

[Ingsoc75]

The ZG1229 (Zielgerät 1229) was an active infrared device that was small enough to be mounted on a small arm (specifically the MP43/44/StG44 assault rifle). It did go into production but there is some speculation if it actually saw combat towards the end of the war.

The idea that it was used by night snipers is most likely a myth. If it was used it was used as panzergrenadier supporting role for the SPERBER night fighting concept.

A few photos of it are on the web (just do a search for ZG1229) but I have yet to find a photo of it actually being used in the field.

As for surviving models of the ZG1229 itself, the WTS museum in Koblenz is the only one that has one that I know of.

[Michael Kenny]

Not quite sure which weapon you are talking about but IR was not a German 'first'.
The German attempts to use IR on tanks was a failure and the Allies had a stockpile of IR detectors ready for use in NW Europe. Any German using IR would have been quickly found and eliminated.
The only combat tested night vision weapon in WW2 was American.

[poky]

which weapons was that, M1 carbine with night sight or where there others too? It was in use in Korean war I know that, was it also used in Europa or just in PTO?

[Ingsoc75]

The M1 IR solution was only used in the PTO during the final months of the war AFAIK.