The Rocket Propelled Grenade is probably one of the most recognized infantry weapons of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century. Sadly, this is not because of its use by the military, but by its use by various para-military, insurgent, and terrorist groups. Not a week goes by when there isn't a photo of someone shouldering or operating one of these weapons appearing in the newspaper or on the television news.

Yet the RPG was initially developed by the Soviets as an anti-tank weapon, similar to the American bazooka and the German panzerfaust. The Soviet army never really developed such a weapon during WWII, relying on US made bazookas and captured German panzerfaust weapons. Post war it was decided to develop their own, but early attempts resulted in a weapon that had poor hitting power and was heavy.

It was the development of shaped charges as much as anything that helped lead the development of a useful, lightweight, shoulder fired weapon. The first really successful weapon was the RPG-2 that was deployed to Soviet and Warsaw Pact armies in the mid-1950s. Here was a simple to use and nearly indestructible weapon that could easily be operated by the average Soviet soldier with minimal training.

Good as it was, the RPG-7 was even better and soon followed. Though there are more modern versions, including several that are one-shot throw-away weapons, it is the RPG-7 that is the one most seen and most used. The book cover image of a Lebanese soldier shows this particular weapon. It is inexpensive to buy and rounds are often as cheap at $10 each, making it inexpensive to operate as well.

Over the years, there have been a number of different warheads developed for it and it has been used more as an anti-personnel weapon than anti-tank. The RPG-7 has been used to destroy anything from aircraft to trucks, to groups of people. You'll find it anywhere there is conflict from Central America, to Africa, to Asia and the Middle East. Many consider it to be the most effective infantry weapon ever developed.

In this book on the RPG, author Gordon Rottman looks at the design and development of the weapon and its initial use in the Middle East and Vietnam. Then there is a greater look at how it has been used in conflicts since then as well as a section on how to defend both vehicles and structures against it. If you have seen photos of AFVs covered with a metal exterior framework, then that is to protect those vehicles from the effects of RPGs.

It is a fascinating look at the weapon of choice of terrorism and extremism around the world. One that is presented here for the first time in English and one that I can highly recommend.

October 2010

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