German Nebelwerfer

In a gun emplacement on the Eastern Front, August 1942. / Photos by Ernst Franck

 

Schweres Wurfgerät 41 (28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41 für 28 cm Wurfkörper Spreng / 32 cm Wurfkörper Flamm).

The Nebelwerfer were German grenade launchers developed during the First World War. They were later developed into rocket launchers and were a common weapon of World War II.

Schweres Wurfgerät 40/41:
The heavy throwing device 40 (wood) and the heavy throwing device 41 (steel) could fire both the 28 cm explosive device and the 32 cm flameproof device. In the case of the throwing device 40, four wooden packing boxes weighing 30 kg were housed on a 52 kg frame. It was replaced in 1941 by the heavy throwing device 41 (steel), in which four rockets were housed in a 20 kg steel packing box on a 110 kg steel frame.

28-cm-WK-Spr:
The 28 cm WK Spr was the propellant for the 15 cm launcher grenade 41 with an over-caliber warhead with a wall thickness of 1 mm. With a length of 1260 mm and a total weight of 82 kg, the warhead designed for pressure (gas strike) carried 50 kg of explosives. Because of the small propellant charge, only a range of around 1900 m was achieved and the spread was considerable. Since it was an area weapon, however, the spread could be accepted. The great effect earned the weapon the name "Stuka on foot", because of the starting noise it was also called "Howling Cow".

32-cm-WK-Flamm:
The 32 cm WK flame had the same propellant charge, the warhead with a maximum diameter of 33.7 cm carried 50 liters of flame oil and a dismantling charge of 1.6 kg. With a length of 1300 mm and a total weight of 79 kg, a range of around 2200 m was achieved. One hit set fire to an area of ​​around 200 m² (for example, a square of around 14 × 14 meters). It was customary to mix a rocket salvo so that the ratio of high explosive ammunition to flame ammunition was five to one. For example, the SdKfz 251/1 Ausf. B with a throwing frame usually carried five 28 cm WK Spr and a 32 cm throwing body Flamm in individual throwing frames attached to the side.

28/32-cm-Nebelwerfer 41:
The 28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41 was a trailer solution for the projectiles of the heavy throwing device that were already in use and could be shot down from the trailer. There was no longer any need to load the launcher frame with the heavy bullets and a quick change of position could be made after the shot. For greater stabilization, the trailer received a folding support with a spur plate. Straightening with straightening attachment 35 was carried out for the height with a ratchet and for the side with a crank. With retractable inserts, it was also possible to shoot with the 28 cm bullet with this system. The projectiles were ignited electrically by incandescent fuse 40 without delay. The shooting took place at least 3 minutes after another. Reloading took about 5 minutes and only the top three frames were loaded at a short distance. Introduced in 1941, but due to its short range (approx. 2,000 m), the weapon was rarely used.

 

 

Source :
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