Information AboutZb Vz.26 |
The ZB vz.26 was a Czechoslovakian Light Machine Gun developed in the 1920s, and would go on to enter service with several countries. It would see its major use during World War II , and spawned the related ZB 1930. DEVELOPMENT Development on the ZB-26 began in 1923 after the Czechoslovakian Brno arms factory came into existence. A designer by the name of Vaclav Holek was charged by the Czechoslovakian army to produce a new light machine gun. He was assisted by his brother Emmanuel, as well as 2 expatriate Poles; Marek and Podrabsky. Holek was a genius designer; he quickly set to work and within a year, the quartet created a prototype automatic that would later be known as the ZB-26. The Czechoslovakian army quickly adopted it and many other countries emulated its design. SERVICE The ZB-26 would see service with the Czechoslovakian infantry, as well as being the primary or secondary armament on many later model Skoda armored vehicles. The gun possessed a bipod and could also be mounted on a tripod for better support fire if needed. The Wermacht would soon adopt the ZB-26, renaming it the MG-26; it was used in the same role as the MG34 . In its most famous incarnation, the ZB-26 was modified by the British and entered service as the Bren , which proved itself crucial in the war effort. Many more would import or produce the design under license including the USSR, China, Yugoslavia, Lithuania, and many others. VARIANTS Although the ZB-26 had few variants, some weapons were closely based on it:
Several more designations appear depending on the adoptive army, though generally the gun retains its 'ZB-26' initials in one or another form. SEE ALSO |
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