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PIAT
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{{Other uses}} {{Good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox weapon | name = Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank | image = PIAT cropped.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = PIAT at the [[Army Flying Museum]] | origin = United Kingdom | type = Anti-tank weapon <!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = yes | is_explosive = Yes | is_UK = yes <!-- Service history -->| service = 1943–1971 | used_by = [[British Empire]] & [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] | wars = {{plainlist| *[[Second World War]] *[[Indonesian National Revolution]] *[[First Indochina War]] *[[Malayan Emergency]] *[[1948 Arab–Israeli War]] *[[Korean War]]}} <!-- Production history -->| designer = [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] [[Millis Jefferis]] | design_date = 1942 | manufacturer = [[Imperial Chemical Industries]] Ltd., various others. | unit_cost = | production_date = August 1942<ref name="Hogg44"/> | number = 115,000<ref name="Khan2"/> | variants = <!-- General specifications --> | spec_label = | weight = {{convert |32|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="Khan2"/> | length = {{convert |39|in|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="Khan2"/> | part_length = | width = | height = | diameter = | crew = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> | cartridge = | caliber = {{convert |83|mm|in|abbr=on}} | action = [[Spigot mortar]] | rate = | velocity = {{convert |250|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="Khan2"/> | range = {{convert |115|yd|m|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="War Office Manual">{{Citation |publisher=The War Office, Army Council |title=Small Arms Training P.I.A.T |date=June 1943 |page=1}}.</ref> | max_range = {{convert |350|yd|m|-1|abbr=on}}<ref name="War Office Manual"/> | feed = | sights = [[Aperture sight]] <!-- Explosive specifications -->| filling = [[Shaped charge]]<ref>French, p. 89</ref> | detonation = Impact | yield = }} The '''Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank''' ('''PIAT''') Mk I was a British man-portable [[anti-tank]] weapon developed during the [[Second World War]]. The PIAT was designed in 1942 in response to the [[British Army]]'s need for a more effective infantry anti-tank weapon and entered service in 1943. The PIAT was based on the [[spigot mortar]] system, and projected (launched) a 2.5 pound (1.1 kg) [[shaped charge]] bomb using a cartridge in the tail of the projectile.<ref>{{cite book|title=Commandos and Rangers of World War II |first=James |last=Ladd |date= 1 January 1979 |isbn= 9781131235172 |page= 241}}</ref> It possessed an effective range of approximately {{convert|115|yd|m|0}}<ref name="War Office Manual"/> in a [[direct fire]] anti-tank role, and {{convert|350|yd|m|-1}}<ref name="War Office Manual"/> in an [[indirect fire]] role. The PIAT had several advantages over other infantry anti-tank weapons of the period: it had greatly increased penetration power over the previous anti-tank rifles, it had no back-blast which might reveal the position of the user or accidentally injure friendly soldiers around the user, and it was simple in construction. However, the device also had some disadvantages: powerful recoil, a difficulty in cocking the weapon, and early problems with ammunition reliability. The PIAT was first used during the [[Tunisian campaign]] in 1943, and remained in use with British and other Commonwealth forces until the early 1950s. PIATs were supplied to or obtained by other nations and forces, including the [[Soviet Union]] (through [[Lend Lease]]), the [[French resistance]], the [[Polish Underground State|Polish Underground]], and the Israeli [[Haganah]] (which used PIATs during the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]]). Six members of the British and other Commonwealth armed forces received [[Victoria Cross]]es for their use of the PIAT in combat.<ref name="Moss1">Moss, p.4</ref>
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