German WWII GG/P-40 HEAT RG...relics on Crete?

[JWilly48519]

This early HEAT rifle grenade was developed by the Luftwaffe weapons bureau for Fallshirmjaeger use.



Some sources say that it was first fielded in small numbers during the May 1941 Crete airborne assault. Have relics been reported as found on Crete? Does anyone know which units there were issued it, or on which of the primary battlefields there it might have been utilized?

A later version of this ordnance supposedly existed, with an extended nose cap to cause detonation at a more efficient standoff distance.



Any info on where relics of this one might be findable? Or other info available on it?

[GGG]

Well, the first production of 500 launchers started in March 1941 (400 by Mauser and 100 by WASAG). To speed up the production the little "front-sight" on the launchers was fixed and not foldable. The production of the launcher sights should start later.

On 9. May 1941 the first 450 launchers were given to to the Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1 under Oberst Bernhard Ramcke. Unfortunately the documents do not tell anything about the sights, but I guess that it has been complete sets (launcher+sight).

The invasion of Kreta began on 20. May 1941 .... maybe the GGP/40 was used there. But I couldn't find any information about the use in combat.

The end of the GGP/40 came on 10. April 1942. There was a test-shooting of the GGP/40 and the Bergmann rifle-grenade (officially called "Grosse Gewehr-Panzergranate"). The GGP/40 failed even in the most improved version.

Best wishes
Michael