A limited number of PIAT anti-tank grenade launchers were shipped to the USSR in 1944, but it was unclear if any of the weapons ever made it to the front line. Turns out they have, although they name they were given by Soviet troops makes tracing their path difficult. However, these weapons were found in one unit: the 252nd Independent Special Purpose Motorized Battalion. On December 2nd, 1944, the battalion reports 18 "rocket powered guns" in its possession. The battalion fought from August of 1944 to to May 9th 1945 and had little good to say about its weapons.
"In the period of aforementioned battles the battalion was generally used as a mobile group, which paid off. In combat since August of 1944 American anti-tank "PIAT" guns operating on the HEAT principle fared poorly and were used rarely due to a number of drawbacks, such as:
- The PIAT gun can only be used to fire from cover, which resulted in an injury to the gunner from a projectile fragment.
- The PIAT's maximum range is 100 meters, the minimum range is 60 meters.
- The projectile fired by the PIAT has to impact the target at a straight angle, as it has a capsule detonator. If the projectile hits not at a straight angle, it does not detonate.
- The PIAT gun is heavy (16 kg).
- The gun is largely designed for defense, which is not the battalion's purpose.