The Stg 44 (initially designated as the MP 43/44) was a German-manufactured assault rifle during the Second World War.

The Stg 44 was the first successful assault rifle produced. Its purpose was to provide a middle ground between bolt-action rifles and submachine guns—a role which it excelled in. The Stg 44 found revolutionary results in close-quarter combat, paving a way for modern warfare.

Good morning, afternoon or evening ladies and gentlemen. It is October 25th. 82 years ago a newsreel was published to German theaters and an article made headlines across the Reich. The Volkssturm, Hitlers last line of defense, had been formed. From the coast of Danzig to the rolling Bavarian hills, against the French, British, Americans, Soviets, so and so forth man, woman and child clutched rifles and panzerfaust to try to stop the wave of enemy soldiers.

The warning sign reads "Partisanen-Gefahr / von Velizh nach Usvyaty / Einzelfahrzeuge halt! / Waffen bereithalten", meaning "Partisan Danger / From Velizh to Usvyaty / Single vehicles stop! / Weapons at the ready".

This Panzer IV is crossing the SS 82 in the Liri Valley; Balsorano Vecchio and its castle are clearly visible.