Strike Witches

Strike Witches(2008-2010)

Strike Witches is a mixed-media project originally created by Humikane Shimada via a series of magazine illustration columns. It was later adapted into two light novel series, two manga series, an anime OVA, and a televised anime series. The story revolves around teenage girls who are essentially anthropomorphizations of military planes. The OVA preview episode was released on January 1, 2007. The televised anime series later premiered on July 3, 2008, concluding September 18. Official confirmation of a second season of the anime was announced on February 27, 2009, and the second season ended September 22, 2010.

The following weapons were used in the anime series Strike Witches:

Pistols

Walther PPK/S

A Walther PPK is issued to Miyafuji when she first arrives in Britannia. She refuses it, however, stating a dislike for firearms. Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke carries one on her person, and is notably seen using it to threaten Sakamoto. It can be assumed that most, if not all, of the witches were issued a PPK upon their arrival at the base.

Walther PPK - .380 ACP

The PPK lies on top of a box containing Yoshika's personal effects. Note the Walther logo, and that the safety is on.

Yoshika returns the PPK, stating that she dislikes guns.

Minna draws her PPK.

Minna aims her PPK.

A closeup of the PPK's barrel, note the Walther logo.

Beretta M1934

A Beretta M1934 is used in the movie by Heinrike Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein. The pistol features the insignia of her unit, the 506th Joint Fighter Wing, inlaid into the grip in place of the Beretta logo.

Beretta M1934 - .380 ACP

Heinrike checks her Beretta M1934.

Nambu Type 14

A Nambu Type 14 Pistol is used in Season 2 Episode 2 by Mio's assistant, Hijikata, to help her test the abilities of her shield.

Early Nambu Type 14 - 8x22mm Nambu

Mio's assistant fires the Nambu.

Submachine Guns

Sten

Sten Mk. II submachine guns are used by Britannian troops who replace the Strike Witches with the Warlock unit. They use shoulder straps pulled tight rather than the stock, presumably to allow better accuracy when hip-fired.

Sten Mk II submachine gun 9x19mm Parabellum

Britannian soldiers and their STENs. The man in the officer's uniform is based on real-life RAF commander Trafford Leigh-Mallory.

Note that the Stens are VERY badly proportioned, to the extent of appearing like assault rifles.

Also note the soldiers gripping their Stens by the magazines - effectively asking for them to jam in the event they need to actually shoot someone.

Britannian soldiers encircle the witches. This positioning would more than likely lead to them hitting each other were they to fire.

Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke, showing admirable calm despite being held at gunpoint by Britannian troops.

A soldier confiscates Sakamoto's katana, STEN slung over his shoulder.

MP40

An MP40 is used in the movie by Erica Hartmann and Karlsland Army soldiers.

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MP40 Sub Machine Gun

Karlsland Army soldier holding an MP40.

Erica unfolds the stock on her MP40

Rifles

Boys Anti-Tank Rifle

Lynette Bishop uses a Boys Antitank Rifle MKI* with the bipod removed in her role as the squad's designated marksman.

Boys Anti-Tank Rifle - .55 Boys (13.9x99B)

Lynette takes a shot with her Boys, while Sanya holds her custom Fliegerhammer.

Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)

A Browning Automatic Rifle is carried by Charlotte Yeager. Charlotte actually dislikes the gun for the most part, citing the relatively small ammo capacity, even with the custom 40 round magazines she uses. She also dislikes the fixed barrel, which she can't replace if the gun overheats (though she admits somewhat sarcastically that this is unlikely due to the ammo capacity.) The one aspect Charlotte does like about the BAR is its durability, stating it can be used even if one doesn't take much care of it.

Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06

Charlotte (on the left) with her BAR.

Charlotte fires her BAR...while upside-down.

A beautiful shot of Charlotte's BAR. Also, note Lucchini with the M1919.

Charlotte carries her BAR while Erica carries its nemesis, the MG-42.

Machine Guns

MG42

The MG42 is carried by most members of the 501st JFW. Due to her strength ability, Gertrud Barkhorn prefers using two MG-42s at once, often with devastating effect. Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen prefers the MG-42 to her heavier Suomi KP/-31 SMG, and Minna likes the "balance of power and stability." Erica prefers it to her MP40 sidearm because "it shoots fast and rarely stops working." All Strike Witches MG-42s are modified to use 75 round MG-34 type double-drum magazines.

MG42 with sling and bipod collapsed - 7.92mm Mauser

Minna and Erica Hartmann with their MG-42s, whereas Charlotte Yeager carries her BAR.

The witches prepare for battle. Note Barkhorn wielding two MG-42s akimbo.

Erica opens fire with her MG-42.

Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen, using an MG-42 in battle.

Erica lays down fire with the MG-42.

Barkhorn with her dual MG-42s.

BREN

A Bren gun is carried by Perrine Clostermann. She states that she would prefer to use a Chatellerault M1924/29, but is unable to obtain one. Instead, she uses the BREN, which is similar to the Chatellerault in many aspects but is presumably easier to obtain in Britannia.

Bren - .303 British

Perrine with her BREN gun.

Browning M1919A6 Machine Gun

A Browning M1919A6 machine gun is carried by Francesca Lucchini. It was given to her by Shirley after she misplaced the Romagnan weapons she brought to Britannia with her. Francesca states that she likes the gun because of the high rate of fire, durability, and high ammo capacity.

Browning M1919A6 .30-06

Lucchini (right) and Eila dodge incoming fire.

Lucchini returns fire with her Browning M1919A6 machine gun

Another beautifully clear shot, this time of Lucchini's M1919A6. Note the ammo box and shoulder stock.

Type 99-1 Cannon

The Japanese Type 99-1 cannon in flexible mount configuration appears to be the standard armament for Fuso Empire Witches, with its use by Mio Sakamoto, Yoshika Miyafuji and Shizuka Hattori, among others. It has been modified to utilize a conventional pistol grip more suitable for dismounted use. The use of this weapon in aerial combat is something of a historical irony, since the Type 99 cannon was part of the main armament of A6M "Zero" fighters in World War II.

Type 99-1 cannon 20mm

Yoshika demonstrates good trigger discipline with her Type 99-1.

The Type 99-1 rests in a specially made cradle inside the hangar.

Mio Sakamoto fires her Type 99-1.

Yoshika aims her Type 99-1.

Shizuka dodges incoming fire armed with her Type 99-1.

Browning M1919A4

A Browning M1919A4 is used in the movie by Liberion Army soldeirs.

Browning M1919A4, fitted with bolt latch - .30-06

A Liberion Army soldier fires his Browning M1919A4 at Bastogne.

MG34

An MG34 is used by Hanna Justina Marseille as her primary weapon.

MG34 7.92x57mm Mauser with front and rear sights folded down

Hanna and Erica open fire. Notice that Hanna uses the bipod on her weapon as a foregrip.

A closeup on the MG34's barrel.

Hanna holds the MG34.

Hanna and Erica face off.

Browning AN/M2

The Britannian Hurricanes seen attacking the Neuroi in the Season 1 prologue are fitted with Browning .303 Mk II machine guns.

Browning .303 Mk II - .303 British

Britannain Hurricanes armed with Browning .303 MkIIs.

MG151/20

Heidemarie W. Schnaufer carries an MG 151/20 cannon as her weapon during the movie.

Mauser MG 151/20 - 20x82mm.

Heidemarie with her MG 151/20 during the movie's finale.

Launchers

"Fliegerhammer"

Carried by Sanya V. Litvyak. It is loosely based on the M202 FLASH, though it is named after the Fliegerfaust / Luftfaust, a WW2 prototype anti-aircraft rocket launcher designed by Nazi Germany. Sanya is able to channel her magic into the weapon, thereby making the rockets more powerful. The Fliegerhammer is also capable of something resembling automatic fire, in that the operator can fire one rocket after another simply by holding down the trigger.

M202 FLASH - 66mm

Sanya prepares to fire the Fliegerhammer. Underestimating a cute girl with a 9 shot rocket launcher is likely one of the last mistakes you'll ever make.

Panzerfaust 30

Gertrud Barkhorn is seen carrying a pair of Panzerfaust 30s in the movie.

Panzerfaust 30 - 44mm with 140mm warhead

Barkhorn with a pair of Panzerfaust 30s slung across her back.