Sturmgewehr

German automatic rifle developed 1942–43 around a 7.92 mm short cartridge. Popular and efficient, it became the forerunner of a new generation of rifles which equipped the world's armies after World War II.

Battle experience showed that soldiers rarely fired at targets more than about 400 m/1,300 ft away, so there was no reason to have a rifle and cartridge capable of firing 2,000 m/6,500 ft.

A lighter cartridge led to a lighter rifle and meant troops could carry more ammunition.