Strike Witches

Strike Witches (2008)

Set in an alternate timeline World War II, Strike Witches focuses on Witches, elite pilots with innate magical ability, who fly Striker Units and fight against the alien Neuroi who have attacked Earth and devastated most of Europe. The existence of magic makes the world inherently different, however most events and history are largely similar until the Great War. During the World War, powerful aliens attacked humanity, interrupting the war; although they were defeated, interruption of the war had lasting effects. Nazi-ism never formed in the Empire of Karlsland (based on Germany), the Bolshevik Revolution never occurred in Orussia (based on Russia), Ostmark (based on Austria-Hungary) still exists in full; also of note is that the Italian unification never occurred, leaving the Duchy of Romagna and Duchy of Venezia both on the Apennine Peninsula. Earth's geography differs slightly as well, notably the coastline of North America, but as a whole the world can be defined as "alternate timeline Earth"; for a world map, see the Luminous Witches Talk Page.

In 1937, the Neuroi attacked the Empire of Fuso (based on Japan), but thanks largely to the next generation of striker units and the witches flying them, the Neuroi were repulsed. In 1939, several Neuroi hives formed over Europe, obliterating cities, killing thousands, and forcing humanity to retreat. Much like the real world Fall of Europe in 1939/40, humanity's last free bastion in Europe became the Commonwealth of Britannia (based on Britain), a safe haven only because Neuroi are averse to crossing bodies of water. Given this context, humanity's countries are not at war with each other, but united to defend against the Neuroi, and as such witches and other military members from all nations work and fight alongside one another.

The story of Strike Witches picks up in early 1944, when Yoshika Miyafuji, due to her extremely strong magical ability, is recruited to by Squadron Leader Mio Sakamoto of the Imperial Fuso Navy to become a witch. The first season introduces the world and setting of the series, and follows Yoshika's struggles to become a witch in the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, known as the Strike Witches. The 501st JFW's base is located in Folkestone Harbour, which in the real world was an important strategic port, especially notable for its involvement in the Dunkirk evacuation. All witches in the series are based on real world WWII fighter pilots, those details noted for each character as they come up on this page.

In chronological order, Strike Witches runs parallel to Luminous Witches and is followed by Brave Witches, both of which are set before Strike Witches 2.

Warning: Some descriptions and images are potential spoilers for the series, read at your own risk.

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

Pistols

Walther PPK

A Walther PPK is issued to Sergeant Yoshika Miyafuji (inspired by Japanese ace Kaneyoshi Mutou) when she first arrives in Britannia, however she refuses the pistol, stating a dislike for guns. To explain Yoshika's mindset, Yoshika's father, Ichiro Miyafuji (inspired by Jiro Horikoshi, chief designer of many WWII Japanese aircraft) worked on and perfected the striker units the witches use, but he was killed in an accident in his lab in the late '30s, and as such Yoshika, a young civilian in Fuso away from the war, always saw the conflict as little more than a terrible, far away thing that stole her father from her. Yoshika accepts Mio's offer to come to Europe on the condition that she simply wants to help people, however Yoshika fairly quickly learns that to help the most people, one must fight the Neuroi. Although she initially turned down the PPK, official artwork shows Yoshika using a Mauser M712 machine pistol as her sidearm sometime before the end of the first season.

Wing Commander Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke of Karlsland (inspired by German ace Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke) uses an identical PPK, which she either keeps on her person or pulled out for the occasion she is seen using it. It's possible it's issued to all new witches of the 501st, but it's not seen otherwise.

Walther PPK - .380 ACP

The PPK lies on top of a box containing Yoshika Miyafuji's personal effects. Note the Walther logo, and that the safety is on. (Ep.3)

Yoshika returns the PPK, stating that she dislikes guns. (Ep.3)

Minna Wilcke draws her PPK on an old friend. (Ep.8)

Mio almost doesn't even seem surprised. (Ep.8)

Minna could pass for a Bond girl in that dress. (Ep.8)

A close-up of the PPK's muzzle, with the Walther logo. (Ep.9)

Minna begs Mio not to leave. (Ep.9)

Yoshika fires her M712 left-handed while still holding her Type 99, as Mio slices a section off a Neuroi with her katana. Note the pair are using Miyabishi A6M3a Reisen striker units, putting this fight before the end of the first season. (Art)

Submachine Guns

Sten Mk II

Sten Mk II submachine guns are used by Britannian troops under the command of Air Chief Marshall Trevor Maloney, ordering the 501st JFW be disbanded, intent on replacing witches with his new mechanized Warlock aircraft/mech. Maloney and his actions are directly inspired by Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, and Leigh-Mallory's similar political moves during the Battle of Britain.

Sten Mk II - 9x19mm Parabellum

Britannian soldiers hold their Stens behind Maloney. The 501st's base is inspired by the island of Mont Saint-Michel, though it sits just off the coast of Folkestone, on the opposite side of the English Channel from the real world island. (Ep.10)

The soldiers gripping their Stens by the magazines, effectively asking for them to jam in the event they need to actually shoot someone. (Ep.10)

Britannian soldiers encircle half of the Strike Witches. This positioning would more than likely lead to them hitting each other were they to fire, especially given witches have shields. Ep.10)

Minna shows admirable calmness, despite being held at gunpoint by Britannian troops. (Ep.11)

The injured and presently wheelchair-bound Mio surrenders her katana to a Britannian soldier, with a Sten slung over his shoulder. (Ep.11)

Rifles

Boys Mk I*

Flight Sergeant Lynette Bishop of Britannia uses a Boys Mk I* with the bipod removed in her role as the 501st's designated marksman. Lynette, along with her older sister Wilma, are inspired by the children of WWI Canadian ace Billy Bishop, William and Margaret Bishop, both of whom served in WWII, William as a Spitfire pilot. While Lynette is purely Britannian, in a reversal of the Bishop sisters' inspiration Wilma enlisted and serves in the Faraway Land Air Force (Canada, but name inspired by Newfoundland). Wilma does not appear in the anime, but is the protagonist of the One-Winged Witches manga, which follows the Isle of Wight Detachment Group.

Boys Mk I* - .55 Boys

Boys Mk I* design artwork

Lynette Bishop fires her Boys in the opening battle. (Ep.1)

A view through the sights as Lynette practices at base. (Ep.3)

Lynette rechambers her Boys, something she can do very fast. (Ep.3)

Lynette scores an extremely long range hit, impressing both Yoshika and Mio; the latter is using her magic eye to actually be able to see the target. (Ep.3)

A view down the Boys' sights... from the other end. (Ep.3)

A stitched image of Lynette aiming her rifle. (Ep.3)

Looking down the massive barrel, note the offset sights. (Ep.3)

Yoshika supports Lynette, physically and emotionally, as they team up to take down a Neuroi. Yes, Yoshika is holding and firing her Type 99 one-handed. (Ep.3)

Lynette cycles her Boys extremely rapidly, sending a wall of lead at the oncoming Neuroi. (Ep.3)

Lynette glomps Yoshika after a battle above Pas-de-Calais, showcasing the incredibly long barrel of the Boys, as well as her Ultramarine Spitfire Mk IX striker unit. (Ep.8)

An ecstatic Lynette after their apparent victory. (Ep.12)

Stuck in a narrow hallway and unable to properly dodge, Lynette's rifle takes a Neuroi beam to the barrel, slicing off the end. (Ep.12)

Machine Guns

Bren Mk 1 (M)

A Bren Mk 1 (M) is carried by Flying Officer Pierrette-Henriette "Perrine" Clostermann (inspired by French ace Pierre Henri Clostermann) of Gallia (France). She would prefer to use an FM 24/29, but uses the much more common (in Britannia) Bren due to Gallia being occupied by the Neuroi. The gun's bipod has been removed due to being entirely unnecessary for an airborne witch, and its sling is attached in an unusual manner; the front end is attached to where the bipod legs used to connect, while the rear is attached to where the rear grip used to exist on the previous Mk 1 version of the Bren. This method of attaching the sling is consistently depicted this way in all later Witches series content as well.

Bren Mk 1 (M) - .303 British

Bren Mk 1 (M) design artwork; note the detailed cross-section of the rear sight aperture

Pierrette Clostermann with her Bren in the opening credits. (OP)

Perrine makes her debut in the opening battle. (Ep.1)

Perrine covers a downed and injured Gertrud Barkhorn with her shield. (Ep.4)

Perrine and Eila fly through a rainstorm; note the navigation lights on Perrine's Armurier VG.39 striker unit. (Ep.6)

Perrine charges into a large group of small Neuroi to use her special Tonnerre (Thunder) ability, unleashing a devastating blast of lightning. It also has the unfortunate side effect of making her hair a frizzy mess, and being Gallian nobility, that just won't do. (Ep.8)

The stainless steel flash hider of Perrine's Bren gleams as she challenges Yoshika to a duel. (Ep.10)

Speeding over the Britannian countryside, Perrine searches for Yoshika. (Ep.10)

Lynette, Yoshika, and Perrine prepare to make the final assault, with Francesca having just cleared them a path. (Ep.12)

Perrine simultaneously fires her Bren and uses her shield. (Ep.12)

Realizing her machine gun is no use against a metal bulkhead, Perrine discards her empty Bren. (Ep.12)

Browning M1918A2

The Browning Automatic Rifle, with its bipod removed (this is a trend), is the preferred weapon of Flight Lieutenant Charlotte Elwyn "Shirley" Yeager of the United States of Liberion. Naturally, Charlotte is inspired by American ace (and later test pilot) Charles Elwood "Chuck" Yeager, while the USL is inspired by the United States of America. Shirley, ever the mechanic and tinkerer, isn't especially impressed with her BAR, but appreciates its durability despite its other drawbacks.

Browning M1918A2 - .30-06 Springfield

M1918A2 design artwork

Charlotte Yeager with her BAR, as the Strike Witches are introduced. (Ep.1)

"Well, if you were directly above it, how could you see it?" "Because I was inverted." (Ep.1)

An absolutely gorgeous shot of Shirley's custom-tuned North Liberion P-51D Mustang striker unit, and her BAR strapped to her back as she chases an extremely fast Neuroi that resembles an SR-71. (Ep.5)

Charlotte and Francesca train against Yoshika and Perrine in a mock battle. Note that (as with most strikers based on aircraft with inline engines) the P-51 striker's "airplane" element is "backwards", with the fuselage cutoff behind the cockpit for the witch's legs to enter. The wings, air intakes, exhaust (etc) are all turned back around to face the correct way, while the propeller stays where it "should be" on the fuselage. Strikers based on aircraft with radial engines (as used by Yoshika and Mio) face the opposite way, keeping the entire fuselage, moving the propeller and exhaust to just before the tail, and having the witch's legs enter where the engine would be. (Ep.9)

Charlotte looks back in surprise as Yoshika gets the drop on her. Note the training-version BAR, with all its metal parts coloured orange to denote that it fires paint rounds. (Ep.9)

An unloaded training M1918A2 sits on a gun rack. (Ep.9)

Charlotte, Francesca, and the Karlsland trio look at the absolutely massive Neuroi hive over Gallia. (Ep.10)

Charlotte and company join up with Yoshika during the final battle. Witches' legs do not actually fit inside their strikers, but rather phase into a pocket dimension / "hammerspace", as the majority of space inside striker units houses their piston-driven, magic-fuelled engines. The ability to store witches' legs in a pocket dimension was the major breakthrough by Yoshika's father; striker units before this required separate magic engines worn as backpacks, which were drastically more bulky and inefficient. (Ep.12)

Browning M1919A6

The Browning M1919A6 is carried by Pilot Officer Francesca Lucchini (inspired by Italian ace Franco Lucchini) of Romagna. It was given to her by Charlotte, her best friend and combat partner, after Francesca misplaced the Romagnan weapons she had brought to Britannia with her. Francesca states that she likes the gun because of its high rate of fire, durability, and high ammo capacity. To allow witches to use it while flying, the M1919A6 has been modified with a fixed ammo box, with a handle on top she sometimes uses to hold the gun in a hipfire position.

Browning M1919A6 - .30-06 Springfield

M1919A6 design artwork

A top view of the Browning as Francesca Lucchini fights alongside the rest of the group in the opening credits. (OP)

Francesca heads into battle with the rest of the 501st. (Ep.1)

A beautiful shot of Francesca's M1919A6; note the shoulder stock and pistol grip of the A6, and the custom ammo box. This also gives a good look at her Farotto G.55 Centauro striker unit. (Ep.1)

Francesca uses a practice-version M1919A6 in a mock battle. (Ep.9)

Francesca takes aim at Yoshika... (Ep.9)

...before Yoshika pulls some quick aerobatics and gets behind her. This is an excellent look at how the custom ammo box works; the shelf underneath is permanently attached to the gun, while the box inside it with the handle on top is removable, and held in place by that metal catch on the side. (Ep.9)

Francesca and company observe the Gallia Neuroi hive. (Ep.10)

Francesca lets loose her signature move: Stacking a whole bunch of shields together and plowing through stuff. It's super effective. (Ep.12)

MG 42

The MG 42 is used by the members of the 501st from Karlsland and Suomus (Finland). While Minna and Flying Officer Erica Hartmann (inspired by German ace Erich Hartmann) use a single gun, Flight Lieutenant Gertrud Barkhorn (inspired by German ace Gerhard Barkhorn) prefers dual wielding MG 42s thanks to her increased strength ability (on top of all witches having more strength as a baseline). Flying Officer Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen (inspired by Finnish ace Eino Ilmari Juutilainen) of Suomus also uses the MG 42. Eila's magical trait of short-term precognition allows her to effortlessly dodge enemy fire, to the degree that she's never used a magic shield, the staple of every other witch's combat abilities; this trait is inspired by her namesake having never been hit by enemy fire, despite being the highest scoring non-German ace in history.

All witches' MG 42s in the series are modified to use a stylized version of the 75-round Patronentrommel 34 drum magazine from the MG 34; given the slightly different design it presumably has its own designation in-universe, perhaps "Patronentrommel 42", though that's speculation. Use of a magazine rather than a belt is likely because it's far easier for an airborne witch to simply swap a magazine than deal with replacing a belt in mid-air; this sort of fictional-but-entirely-plausible weapon design appears for several notable weapons in the World Witches universe. Additionally, along with lacking a bipod like most witch weapons, the World Witches MG 42 features only four holes in the gun's muzzle booster (as opposed to twelve), its muzzle flash reflecting this throughout the series.

MG 42 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

MG 42 design artwork; the text at top-left describes operation of the magazine release, comparing it to the tab on an aluminum drink can

Minna fires her MG 42 in the opening credits; Charlotte, Francesca, and Eila are also visible. (OP)

Erica Hartmann opens fire with her MG 42. (Ep.1)

Gertrud Barkhorn fires her signature dual MG 42s. (Ep.1)

A close-up of Gertrud's right-hand MG 42 as she gets more than a bit too aggressive and careless... (Ep.4)

...and gets it sliced in half by a Neuroi beam. The remaining ammo promptly explodes, sending the severely injured Gertrud crashing to the ground. She's lucky she didn't lose a finger... or everything else, for that matter. (Ep.4)

Inspired by Yoshika's determination to save everyone, a mostly-healed Trude replaces her lost MG 42 with Yoshika's Type 99 and flies off to end the fight. The upper part of her Flak-Wolf Fw 190 D-6 Würger striker unit can be seen as well; the D-6 is an A-6 modified with an inline engine as a prototype of the Dora variant. (Ep.4)

The Strike Witches fly through a rainy day to meet their returning comrades. (Ep.6)

Eila Juutilainen fires her MG 42 to protect Sanya, who lost one of her striker halves in an ambush by a "singing" Neuroi. Eila herself uses a Messerscharf Bf 109 G-2. (Ep.6)

A close-up of Eila's war face. (Ep.6)

A still-frame of Erica posing in front of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords she is supposed to be awarded later that day, for having shot down 250 Neuroi. (Ep.7)

In a flashback to June, 1941, Minna flies over the ruined Calais near the end of the evacuation. This is a goof, as the MG 42 didn't yet exist in 1941; the Erica Hartmann 1941 manga, which covers events leading up to the evacuation, corrects this and depicts Karlsland witches as using MG 34s at this time. (Ep.8)

Back in the present, Minna covers Mio so she can use her magic eye to find the Neuroi's core, every Neuroi's one weak point. This also provides a nice view of the paint scheme of Minna's Messerscharf Bf 109 G-2/R6. (Ep.8)

Minna fires at the fleeing Neuroi. (Ep.8)

Back in June, 1941, Minna says goodbye to Kurt Flachfeld, her boyfriend and childhood neighbour. Kurt enlisted in the Army and worked in the maintenance division of Minna's squadron, so they could spend more time together. This would ultimately keep them apart forever, as Kurt remained behind to help evacuate the base in Calais, but never made it out himself. Minna's forbidding of witches to interact with male personal, and intense, panic-inducing aversion to the possibility of losing anyone close to her are rooted in this loss. (Ep.8)

Erica and Gertrud inform Minna none of the base's personnel made it over to Britannia, and are forced to restrain her when she attempts to go back. In a cruel reversal of Dunkirk, Minna looks across the channel from Britannia desperately saying that it's just right there, they can see it. (Ep.8)

An unloaded training-version MG 42 sits on a gun rack. (Ep.9)

Gertrud and Erica get ready to kick names and take ass in the final battle. (Ep.12)

Erica performs her signature move, Sturm (Storm), involving rapid aileron rolls that produce a tornado-like effect, which can tear clean through any Neuroi. Although out of frame, Erica's Messerscharf Bf 109 G-6 striker features the same tulip-pattern paint scheme as her namesake's aircraft. (Ep.12)

Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai

A fictional iteration of the Type 99 aircraft cannon in its flexible mount configuration is the standard armament for Fuso Empire witches. This iconic World Witches series weapon is a fictional iteration of a real world weapon, much like the iteration of the MG 42 that can use MG 34 drum magazines, and the M1919A6's fixed ammo box, but on a more substantial scale. It is used by both Yoshika Miyafuji and Mio Sakamoto (inspired by Japanese ace Saburou Sakai).

There are two versions of the real world Type 99 cannon, the Mark 1 and the Mark 2; the Mark 1 uses a 20x72mmRB round, while the Mark 2 was the same design scaled up to use a 20x101mmRB round. To further complicate matters, these two related guns also had their own variants, resulting in designations like "Type 99 Mark 1 Model 3" or "Type 99 Mark 2 Model 5". One variant of the Type 99 Mark 1 was outfitted for use in flexible mounts, giving it AA sights, a handguard, flash suppressor, stock pad, large ejection chute on top, and (crude) pistol grip.

Back in the World Witches universe, the need for witches to have an effective primary weapon arose, and so the Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai, or Type 99 Mark 2 Model 2 Kai, was developed. Either translation is acceptable; the former is the official World Witches translation, the latter is the same designation using the established Western terms for the Type 99 family.

While the "Type 99-2" designation should mean it's based on the larger Mark 2 in 20x101mmRB, the gun's proportions and size are very clearly that of the smaller Mark 1. The Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai takes the infantry-rifle-like traits of the flexible mount Type 99 Mark 1 variant and improves them. The notable improvements from the flexible mount design are a more traditionally-shaped receiver, deletion of the top ejection chute in favour of a traditional side-mounted ejection port, and a traditional pistol grip assembly; in short, it was developed into a practical rifle-style weapon, albeit a very large and heavy one. In addition to the physical/mechanical improvements, while the original Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai prototypes were in the original 20x101mmRB cartridge (despite visually being based on the Mark 1), tests showed it was a bit too powerful to be practical, even for witches. As such, it was rechambered for the 13.2x96mm Hotchkiss cartridge, also used in the Type 3 aircraft machine gun.

Additionally, on the design sketch of the Type 99 seen below there is a line of text inside a box, pointing to the rear end of the long tube on the left side of the receiver; this text translates to "load the first bullet by pressing this button", meaning that's the charging "button". However, the charging button isn't actually used on-screen until Strike Witches: The Movie.

Type 99 Mark 1, flexible configuration - 20x72mmRB

Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai (13.2x96mm Hotchkiss) design artwork; the text at lower-centre indicates the location of the charging button

Yoshika demonstrates good trigger discipline with her Type 99 in the opening credits. (OP)

Mio's Type 99 deploys out of the side of the striker launch unit. (Ep.1)

Mio fires her Type 99 over the aircraft carrier Akagi and a sinking Kagerou-class destroyer. (Ep.2)

Having brought a Type 99 for Mio to use, Mio tells Yoshika she should use it herself if she really wants to save people. Coming in low, right up against the Neuroi itself, Yoshika lines up to take out its core. (Ep.2)

Gertrud lets loose with her remaining MG 42 and Yoshika's Type 99. (Ep.4)

As Yoshika provides a powerful shield for the trio, Sanya takes her Type 99 to help Eila silence their foe. (Ep.6)

Sanya looking this intense is a rare sight to behold. (Ep.6)

Mio searches for a Neuroi's core with her magic eye, while holding her Type 99. (Ep.8)

A close-up of Yoshika's Type 99 dumping brass. (Ep.8)

The Fuso witches unload into the last straggler. (Ep.8)

Yoshika takes out Francesca and Charlotte during a training match. (Ep.9)

A training Type 99 and MG 42 sit on a weapon rack behind Yoshika, giving a perfect size comparison. At roughly 1435mm/56.5" here, this is exactly the size the witches' actually-Mark-1-based Type 99 should be, matching the real flexible mount Mark 1. (Ep.9)

Yoshika switches her Type 99 from Safe to Fire. Although the colours are reversed from what one may expect, the kanji here do in fact fairly literally translate to "Safe" (red) and "Fire" (white). (Ep.9)

Not waiting to hear the situation explained, Mio recklessly charges in, despite her weakening magic power leaving her barely able to raise a shield... (Ep.9)

...shield failing, Mio attempts to block the Neuroi beams with her Type 99, which results in its ammo detonating, destroying the gun and hospitalizing Mio. (Ep.9)

Ready for the final fight, Yoshika takes off. (Ep.12)

While taking fire on takeoff Yoshika drops her gun, and Mio catches it, in this stitched image. (Ep.12)

After which Perrine uses it to distract the enemy and make it temporarily retreat, in another stitched shot. (Ep.12)

Now back in her possession, Yoshika uses the Type 99 to great effect while fighting all alone. (Ep.12)

Flying through a cramped corridor, Yoshika's Type 99 meets the same fate as Lynette's rifle. Perrine is not pleased. (Ep.12)

Launchers

Fliegerhammer

The Fliegerhammer is a fictional multi-barrel rocket launcher used by Flying Officer Aleksandra Vladimirovna "Sanya" Litvyak (inspired by Russian ace Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak) of Orussia. The Fliegerhammer, or "Flyer/Plane Hammer", was designed by Erica Hartmann's twin sister and genius engineer Ursula Hartmann (named for Erich Hartmann's wife, Ursula Paetsch), and inspired by (both in-universe and from a writing standpoint) the Fliegerfaust. Like the Fliegerfaust, the Fliegerhammer is a nine-barrel, unguided rocket launcher, though Sanya and some other witches are able to guide or partially guide the rockets with their magic. The launcher's large, boxy shape is also reminiscent of the more modern M202 FLASH.

The Fliegerhammer is capable of firing in two modes, either single rockets sequentially, in which case the rockets launch by row top-to-bottom, within rows right-to-left, or in a volley fire setting where four rockets fire in a "+" shape, followed a fraction of a second later by the remaining five in a "×" shape; the design artwork below lists the delay as "4 to 6 frames" (as it's animation reference material) which equates to a roughly 0.2 second delay before the second salvo. The fire mode is controlled by a selector switch on the pistol grip; the vertical position is volley fire, the rearward position is single fire. The rear offhand grip and shoulder rest fold flush with the body of the weapon when not in use. The Fliegerhammer is reusable, with rockets loaded by inserting them into the rear.

Fliegerfaust (replica) with 9-rocket clip - 20mm

Fliegerhammer design artwork; the text at top-left describes the launch order in volley fire (white tubes first)

Aleksandra Litvyak aims her Fliegerhammer in the opening credits... (OP)

...and fires a volley. (OP)

Sanya escorts the 501st's Ju 52 transport, carrying Minna, Mio, and Yoshika back to base. Sanya uses a MiG-60 striker unit, a semi-fictional design from Humikane Shimada's previous works which is a blend of the MiG-3 and Yak-1. (Ep.6)

Sensing a Neuroi nearby, Sanya flips the selector from volley fire to single fire. (Ep.6)

Firing spaced out single shots into the clouds, she probes for hits. (Ep.6)

As a Night Witch, Sanya possesses a magic antenna that allows her to detect things like radio signals or Neuroi over incredible distances. The visual design of her antenna is based on the Lichtenstein Radar fitted to many German night fighters. (Ep.6)

After being ambushed by a Neuroi that seems fixated on her (as a night witch) specifically, Sanya loses her left-side striker, and so Eila takes the Fliegerhammer. (Ep.6)

Always wanting to protect her precious Sanya, Eila asks her to track the malicious mimic. (Ep.6)

With Sanya using stars and constellations as points of reference, Eila fires the Fliegerhammer, landing several hits and ultimately exposing its core. (Ep.6)

Eila lets the last of the rockets fly. This scene would be given a continuation and further context fourteen real world years later, with the seventh episode of Luminous Witches. (Ep.6)

A very sleepy Sanya returns from night patrol. (Ep.9)

Eila uses her prediction ability to give targeting advice to Sanya. (Ep.12)

Vehicle-Mounted Weapons

Browning .303 Mk II*

Several Britannian Hurricane Mk Is are seen attacking a Neuroi hive in the prologue, each armed with eight Browning .303 Mk II* machine guns.

Browning .303 Mk II* - .303 British

Britannian Hurricanes approach the enormous cloud that conceals a Neuroi hive. (Ep.1)

The fighters fire their guns at the ominous cloud. Though mirrored, the further Hurricane is marked QV-A, with "QV" indicating it belongs to No. 19 Squadron RAF and "A" making it the first aircraft in its squadron (followed by QV-B, QV-C, etc). (Ep.1)

Bottom view of a Hurricane Mk I firing its Browning .303 Mk II*s. (Ep.1)

Type 97

The A5M4 fighters aboard Akagi are armed with a pair of Type 97 aircraft machine guns each.

Type 97 aircraft machine gun - 7.7x56mmR

Akagi's complement of A5Ms scramble to take off. (Ep.1)

A trio of A5M4s form up with Mio Sakamoto. (Ep.2)

Mio orders the A5Ms to spread out and provide cover as she searches for the flying-wing Neuroi's core. (Ep.2)

Naval Weapons

In addition to Akagi, the Imperial Fuso Navy fleet that carries Mio and Yoshika to Britannia also consists of eight Kagerou-class destroyers. Specifically, these are the ships of 16th Destroyer Division (Yukikaze, Amatsukaze, Hatsukaze, Tokitsukaze) and 17th Destroyer Division (Urakaze, Isokaze, Hamakaze, Tanikaze). The carrier is fitted with six 20cm/50 3rd Year Type cannons in casemate mounts, six twin 12cm/45 Type 10 anti-air cannons and fourteen twin 25mm Type 96 anti-air cannons along either side of the flight deck, and a pair of single 7.7mm Type 92 machine guns fore and aft of the bridge. The destroyers are equipped with four 12.7cm/50 3rd Year Type cannons in two twin turrets as their primary armament, as well as twenty-nine 25mm Type 96 AA guns, fourteen in single mounts and fifteen in five triple mounts.

Akagi and six of the destroyers at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, as Yoshika and her friend Michiko first lay eyes on them. (Ep.1)

The carrier and her escorts depart Yokosuka, in this stitched image. (Ep.1)

Akagi at sunrise, with Hatsukaze and Hamakaze. (Ep.1)

Mio and Yoshika on a walkway above Akagi's three port-side 20cm cannons, fitted in casemate mounts in the lower hull. Destroyer Tanikaze can be seen in front of the carrier. (Ep.1)

Mio flies past Tokitsukaze during a demonstration flight. Six of the single 25mm cannons are on either side of the rear 12.7cm turret, and two of the 25mm triple mounts can be seen pointing outward on elevated platforms near the centre of the ship. (Ep.1)

Moments later Mio banks left, bringing six more destroyers into view. From left to right they are Hamakaze, Hatsukaze, Isokaze, Tanikaze, Yukikaze, and Urakaze. (Ep.1)

Hamakaze opens the battle with a volley from one of her 12.7cm turrets. (Ep.1)

Two ships from DesDiv17 move in to cover their carrier; given their position they are most likely Urakaze and Hamakaze. (Ep.1)

A close-up of Amatsukaze's mid-section, giving an excellent view of her two rear 25mm triple mounts (a third 12.7cm turret used to occupy that position) as well as a single 25mm gun between the two quadruple torpedo launchers. (Ep.1)

A view from onboard Hatsukaze, looking towards Yukikaze and Tanikaze, as the Neuroi attacks the fleet. A trio of single 25mm cannons can be seen beside the bridge. (Ep.1)

An excellent profile view of Yukikaze firing all her weapons; this also provides a look at the 25mm triple mount in front of the bridge. Note the "16", as well as her name written in katakana; in this context it should be read right-to-left. (Ep.2)

The Neuroi is destroyed. Of the eight Kagerou-class destroyers, at least two survived (with possibly more off-screen to the left) and one was confirmed sunk (seen in the Type 99 section above). One of the surviving ships would later make a cameo in Yokosuka at the beginning of Strike Witches 2. (Ep.2)

Assorted ships in Calais, evacuating as many people as possible from continental Europe in June, 1941. (Ep.8)

A Type 92 machine gun forward of Akagi's bridge; another is mounted behind the bridge as well. (Ep.11)

Two of Akagi's twin 12cm AA cannons open fire on an unexpected threat. (Ep.11)

The carrier's twin 25mm guns also open fire, to little effect. (Ep.11)

A stitched full profile shot of Akagi, AA guns lighting up the sky as she starts to take damage. (Ep.11)

A close-up of her 20cm casemate cannons. This was a popular setup in the first couple decades of the 20th century, but was generally considered antiquated by WWII. (Ep.11)

Warlock

The Warlock, a flying mech that Air Chief Marshall Trevor Maloney intends to replace the Strike Witches with, is armed with four autocannons in its nose, as well as Neuroi-style beam weapons.

The Warlock makes its entrance. (Ep.10)

The four cannons firing. (Ep.10)

Maloney stands in front of his creation, now in mech mode. (Ep.10)

The Viper Warlock back in flight mode. (Ep.11)