Zielgerät 1229

The ''ZG 1229 Vampir'' 1229 (ZG 1229), also known by its code name ''Vampir'', was an active infrared device developed for the ''Wehrmacht'' for the Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle during World War II, intended primarily for night use. The ZG 1229 was designed by Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft (AEG) and Forschungsanstalt der Deutschen Reichspost (RPF). It was produced by Ernst Leitz GmbH and approximately 310 units were built. A grenadier carrying it was known as a ''Nachtjäger'' (night-hunter).

Design

The ZG 1229 Vampir weighed and was fitted with lugs on the StG 44 at C.G. Haenel in Suhl, the weapons production facility. As well as the sight and infrared spotlight, there was a wooden-cased battery for the light weighing , and a second battery fitted inside a gas mask container to power the image converter. This was all strapped to a ''Tragegestell 39'' (pack frame 1939). The searchlight consisted of a conventional tungsten light source shining through a filter permitting only infrared light. The sensor operated in the near-infrared (light) spectrum rather than in the thermal infrared (heat) spectrum and was, therefore, not sensitive to body heat.

The image given was described as being of great brilliance and good contrast. Standing men could be discerned up to , especially when moving. However, reports indicate that ZG 1229 units were extremely delicate and considered too cumbersome for attack situations.

Use

Successful tests of the infrared sighting device for hand fire arms were made by the Panzergrenadiere during February and March of 1945. (According to other reports — the army trials never took place.)

Deployment of StG 44s with ZG 1229 sights began only in the last months of the war, and most researchers agree that there is no reliable information considering combat use of the sights of this type.

Nevertheless, Waldemar Trojca quotes Eastern Front veterans who claimed to have encountered German snipers using night sights on small arms:

However, here he contradicts his own statement that the ZG 1229 was first used in combat in February 1945. In addition, the short target detection range would have made the use of this sight by snipers and machine gunners extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Similar infrared gear ( FG 1250) was fitted to the machine guns of Pz.Kpfw. V ''Panther'' tanks and Sd.Kfz. 251 ''Falke'' armored personnel carriers.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Zielgerat 1229
World War II German electronics
World War II military equipment of Germany
Firearm sights
Infrared imaging
Night vision devices