This Walt Disney film taught World War II soldiers how to use an anti-tank rifle
Before Lady met Tramp and Captain Jack Sparrow was dependent on rum, Walt Disney Productions' humble beginnings included informational videos.
Amazingly, one of these educational videos was a theatrical short on how to effectively operate a high-caliber rifle used to take down tanks.
Developed in 1942, "Stop That Tank!" was a 22 minute instructional film produced by Walt Disney Productions in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada.
In it, a cartoon rendition of a prancing Adolf Hitler breaks the monotony of the forthcoming chore: sitting through another instructional film that the soldiers would soon be watching. Afterwards, Disney's signature vintage mix of using actual characters, cartoons, and a narrator, provide detailed instructions on the proper techniques of using the rifle - such as loading, aiming, firing, and cleaning.
The rifle mentioned in the film happened to be a Mk.1 "Boys Anti-Tank Rifle" that was originally manufactured in Britain. Weighing in at 36 pounds, this monstrous .55 caliber rifle .55 - slightly reminiscent of Barrett's M82 - stood at 63.5 inches tall and had a 36 inch barrel.
Here's what the film's animation looked like:
Watch the entire video below:
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