you favorite WWII weapon?

Wow, so many things for me to choose from, and so many great answers already. The German 88 turned out to be one of their (of many) great inventions. It turned out to be not only a deadly anti-aircraft weapon, but an main gun on a tank that even set the standard for today's tanks.

Then you have to look at the atomic bomb, including it's development, and the short amount of time it was completed in. Had to be completed in only 19 months, and this is back when little to nothing was known about nuclear energy. Some scientist even thought creating a nuclear chain reaction would destroy the world because they were unsure if could stop itself.

Germany had the tanks, we had the numbers. Jeesh, I could go on and on. So, my favorite WWII weapon would have to be the American Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines as well as ALL the American people who stepped in to help the war effort by working in factories, rationing food etc..

Lancaster. A heavy bomber that could deliver a huge load. Controversial, yes but war brought it on. And it fought the enemy when there was no other front apart from Africa.

Related to the Lanc, Tallboy and Grandslam. Incredible devices that penetrated the hardened U Boat pens and missile sites. And sank ships. It brought down tunnels and viaducts where ordinary bombs failed. The Grand slamb, 22,000lbs. Creating a camouflet effect and removing anything for foundation to stand on.

I would add the Spit. The plane saw out the war and just got better with every version. It also saw action of carriers in its sea version. Germans would bring out a good plane, Rolls Royce brought out a better engine and upped the anti with the same plane.

Bit morbid I know but amazing either way.

Edited to add. Top of all that should be the young lads that flew in those and other bombers. Very brave men.

Whoever said the P51 was the best turboprop aircraft, why not read this:

a) It was only effective due to a RR Merlin engine

b) It was easily outmaneuvered by German and British fighter planes

c) It was legendary because it had long range and was good on an anti-armour role, I would go with a Messershmit (spelt wrong prob), a Hurricane or a Spitfire over a P51 any day for a dogfight.

When I was in the Army, there were only three weapons that we used that were also in WW2, the M2 Caliber .50 machinegun (which is still an awesome weapon), the M1911A1 Caliber .45 Pistol, and the M3A1 Caliber .45 Submachinegun (the Greasegun). They are all three great weapons but the Greasegun was so fun to shoot. Loading the magazines wasn't fun since their springs are extremely tight, but shooting them was a real blast. So, I would have to go with the M3A1 Greasegun.

Being what you would probably call a tree-hugger, I can't imagine having a favorite weapon; however, if we are talking about the most effective WWII weapon, I'd say the atom bomb.

Atomic bomb. I realise it is the most destructive of weapons and I would be happy if there was never another exploded, even in testing. But watched from above as the pressure wave drives the clouds as the mushroom clouds rises I think is beautiful. I worked in the Imperial War Museum in London and they did a selection of movies of the bomb testings and some of the footage of the actual explosions is as beautiful as it is frightening.

Artillery would be German 88 based on design and excellent multipurpose function, small arm would be the Stg44 (first true assault rifle), machine gun would be the MG-44, aircraft is a tie between the FW-190 and the F4U Corsair, tank would be the Panther or Russian T34/85.

Although there are a lot of nice, and expensive weapons suggested here, the best weapon was a Soldier, or Marine, with a rifle and bayonet. After all the bombing and shooting was done, he had to go in and dig the enemy out of the foxholes and trenches.

Due to its longevity - First flew before the war and was still in service in Korea.

Its versatility - Flew in every variant from fighter to recce, to carrier, to fighter bomber

Its looks - Still awesome to see and hear today

Its combat success - Adolf Galland the Luftwaffes top ace said that a squadron of these were what he wanted most.

Its influence - The P51 was inspired by this aircraft

It has to be the SPITFIRE...

Without a doubt, it is the atom bomb.It brought a quick end to the war and saved countless lives.So sorry for the innocent Japanese, but THEY started it.

Other than that,the Springfield Garrand rifle is still a respectable weapon.Too bad that it wasn't fitted with a bottom-feed magizine with more capacity.

Land mines and boobie traps should always be considered as a war crime,after all, we are a civilized people...Right??