Strike Witches

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 moe 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 is currently running.

The following guns can be seen in the anime Strike Witches:

Strike Witches (2008-present)

STEN

Sten Mk. II submachine guns are used by British 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

British soldiers and their STENs. The man in the officer's uniform is based on real-life RAF commander Lord Hugh Dowding.

British soldiers encircle the witches.

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

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

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.

File:Ppk.jpg

Minna draws her PPK.

Minna aims her PPK.

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

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_M31, 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 7.92 x 57mm Mauser (8mm 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.

Boys Anti-Tank Rifle

Carried by Lynette Bishop in her role as the squad's designated marksman. While she uses a Boys Mk. I, she has switched the muzzle brake to that of a Mk. II, which according to her makes it easier to use.

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. Shirley 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 Shirley does like about the BAR is it's durability, stating it can be used even if one doesn't take much care of it.

Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06

Shirley (on the left) with her BAR.

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

A beautful shot of Shirley's BAR. Also, note Luchinni with the M1919.

Shirley carries her BAR while Erica carries it's nemesis, the MG-42.

M1919A6

A Browning M1919 A6 is carried by Francesca Lucchini. It was given to her by Shirley after she misplaced the Italian 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 and Eila dodge incoming fire.

Another beautifully clear shot, this time of Lucchini's M1919. Note the box magazine and shoulder stock.

Type 99-1 Cannon

The Japanese Type 99-1 cannon in flexible mount configuration is used by both Sakamoto Mio and Yoshika Miyafuji. It has been modified to utilize a conventional pistol grip more suitable for dismounted use.

Type 99-1 20mm cannon.

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.

Fliegerhammer (modified Fliegerfaust)

Carried by Sanya V. Litvyak. It is based on the design of a Fliegerfaust, with the 9 round capacity of a Fliegerfaust B. 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.

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.

[1] Wikipedia page for the real life Fliegerfaust, similar to Sanya's Fliegerhammer.

Nambu Type 14

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

Nambu Type 14 8x22mm Nambu

Mio's assistant fires the Nambu.

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.