ZB vz. 37

Description

Designed by legendary designer Václav Holek, the Czechoslovakia produced ZB vz. 37 entered Czech military service in 1937 as a replacement to the ageing Schwarzlose M7 of World War One origin.

As well as being used as the standard issue infantry support weapon, it was also utilized as a defensive weapon for their LT35/38 light tanks. The Second Sino-Japanese War saw large numbers being shipped to Chinese force, where it was used to great effect against the invading Japanese forces until the wars end in 1945. The British government also saw great potential in its design and under license created its own version, called the Besa, of which 60,000 would be made (many saw service in Dunkirk and were ultimately left to the Germans).

With occupation of Czechoslovakia, the Germans had taken over the Zbrojovka Brno factories and continued production under their own designation of the MG 37(t). Like the VZ 26. It was primarily issued to troops of the Waffen-SS, who at the early stages of the war had a very limited budget in comparison to the Wehrmacht and often had source it’s own equipment.

After the war, Czech forces continued to use the ZB until the mid 1950’s, however by then, weapon technology had advanced considerably since its initial design (helped along by the war) and it was soon withdrawn from service.