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2023 - Volume 6 - Number 2

The Lightning Gun: How the Blyskawica Submachine Gun Revolutionized Warfare

Nathaniel Marchese * ORCID: 0009-0009-2122-1746
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, UNITED STATES

Open Journal for Studies in History, 2023, 6(2), 47-56 * https://doi.org/10.32591/coas.ojsh.0602.02047m
Received: 18 April 2023 ▪ Revised: 20 July 2023 ▪ Accepted: 11 August 2023

LICENCE: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

ARTICLE (Full Text - PDF)

ABSTRACT:
This article explores how the impact of the Blyskawica submachine gun on the military world. Developed by the polish resistance during World War II, the weapon was a technological innovation that had a significant impact on firearms and military tactics. Its unique design and sound had a powerful psychological impact on its users and enemies, boosting morale and instilling fear in equal measure. The weapon’s lightweight design and short barrel made it effective in close-quarter combat, while its ability to suppress enemy fire helped to shape the development of military tactics. The Blyskawica submachine gun became a symbol of resistance and freedom, playing a significant role in boosting the morale of the Polish people during the war. This weapon also stacks up pretty well to some of the biggest names in the submachine gun world in the World War II era.

KEY WORDS: World War II, Polish history, military history, weapons history, firearms.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Nathaniel Marchese, Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, UNITED STATES.

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