During WW2, the PIAT or Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank, was originally invented as a mortar for the UK’s Home Guard to be used in case of a German invasion. As the threat of invasion receded the weapon was converted into an anti-tank weapon by adding iron aiming sights and an anti-tank warhead. The result was a handheld weapon that could penetrate three or four inches of steel armor at a range of 300 yards or less.
The PIAT, weighing at 32lbs, was powered by a 200-lb. mainspring that was cocked by standing on the weapon and pulling back the spring with both hands. Once the trigger was pulled, the spring drove a plunger into the 3.26-inch diameter, 2.5-lb. anti-tank round, flinging it forward. The plunger also set off a blank cartridge seated in the round; becoming a giant tank-killing BB gun.
PIAT HEAT round would fly at 83 meters per second, making it slower than paintballs. It had several advantages over other infantry AT weapons of the period; it had greatly increased penetration power, no back-blast which might reveal the position of the user or accidentally injure friendly soldiers around the user, and simple construction.
Tactical training emphasized that it was best utilized with surprise and concealment on the side of the PIAT team, and where possible enemy armoured vehicles should be engaged from the flank or rear. Due to the short engagement distances and the power of the bomb, the crew could be in the bomb blast zone so hard cover was desirable; on open training grounds this might be a slit trench.
Six Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of the British and other Commonwealth armed forces for actions using the PIAT.
The PIAT remained in service until the early 1950s, when it was replaced initially by the ENERGA anti-tank rifle grenade and then the American M20 "Super Bazooka".
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