While it seems as if the Panzer Divisions of the Wehrmacht have received most renown, the Infantry Divisions were far more numerous. Often, the only tank an infantryman might encounter would be that of the enemy. That being the case, the infantryman was most interested in any weapon that might help to defeat his armored foe. The heavy, crew served anti-tank guns were part of the solution but a weapon of "last resort" was still required.

At the beginning of the Second World War, the German infantryman was reasonably served by his anti-tank rifles, the 7.92mm Panzerbuchse models 38 and 39. Both of these were capable of penetrating 30mm of armor plate at 100 meters. These fired a solid shot and depended on sheer force to do the job. However, tank development progressed rapidly and as the armor thickened, the anti-tank rifles became less successful.

Nevertheless, the anti-tank rifle remained in service while the search for a more adequate replacement continued. In the meantime, the German infantryman had to rely on expedient measures to defend against enemy armor. Anti-tank mines were the obvious alternative and expedient explosives were made by securing six grenade heads around a single stick grenade. In 1942, a hollow charge, magnetic mine (Hafthohlladung 3) was introduced. Their effectiveness very much depended on the courage of the soldier who was trying to place them.