Nebelwerfer
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| Nebelwerfer[1] | |
|---|---|
 Six-barreled Nebelwerfer 41 |
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| Type | Rocket artillery |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1940 - 1945 |
| Used by | Nazi Germany |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Variants | Nebelwerfer 41, Nebelwerfer 42, Werfergranate 21 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 540.0 kg |
| Length | 1.3 meters |
| Crew | four |
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| Caliber | 150 mm |
| Barrels | 6 |
| Maximum range | 6800 meters |
The Nebelwerfer (German for "smoke launcher", a code name to obscure the real nature of the weapon) was a World War II German towed rocket artillery launcher, developed in the 1930s and used against ground targets. The loud screeching noise of the incoming rockets led American soldiers in the Sicily campaign to nickname the gun the "Screaming Meemie", and "Moaning Minnie". The Nebelwerfer was the first modern multiple rocket launcher.
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[edit] Variants
There were two ground-based variants and one air-to-air adaptation:
The Nebelwerfer 41 was equipped with six barrels, each firing a 34 kg (75 lb.) 150 mm (5.9 in.) Wurfgranate 41 ("rocket shell 41") rocket out to a range of approximately 6800 meters (7437 yards). The later Nebelwerfer 42 had five 210 mm (8.3 in.) barrels and could fire its 114 kg (250 lb.) Wurfgranate 42 rockets out to a range of approximately 8000 meters (8749 yards). This variant was equipped with removable internal rails to allow the use of the 150 mm rocket. Both types were towed pieces which were mounted on the modified carriages of a light pre-war anti-tank gun.
After the crew had loaded and aimed the launcher, they would take cover a few meters away and fire the rockets in succession with an electric switch . After firing, however, a long streak of smoke could be seen from far away, making the Nebelwerfer an excellent target for counter-artillery fire. It was therefore necessary to relocate the Nebelwerfer as soon as possible after firing.
One way to make up for the Nebelwerfer's shortcomings in mobility was to mount the rocket launching tubes on a motorized tractor, as was the case with the Maultier 42 Panzerwerfer, a lightly armored half-tracked mount for the weapon. Later in the war cruder (and larger-calibre) light metal or even wooden launch racks were devised, in order to deal with the increased frontline requests for the weapon and the growing scarcity of raw materials. The racks could be transported via truck and set up by a small crew which would then swiftly leave the launch site after firing.
The concentrated impact and blast effects of the Nebelwerfer rockets were extremely effective (both physically and psychologically) against infantry and soft-skinned vehicles. However, tanks and other armored vehicles were relatively immune to its effects unless the rare direct hit was scored.
| Werfergranate 21 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Air-to-air rocket |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1943 |
| Specifications | |
| Diameter | 21 centimeters |
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| Warhead | 40.8 kg |
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| Engine | 18.4 kg diglicol solid fuel |
| Operational range |
1200 meters |
| Launch platform |
Messerschmitt Bf 109, Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Messerschmitt Bf 110 |
The Werfergranate 21 (WGr21) was an unguided air-to-air rocket version of the projectile used in the Nebelwerfer 42 and was first used in the defense of Schweinfurt on 17 August 1943.[2] The WGr21 was mounted on Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters (one launch tube under each wing) and on Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighters (two launch tubes under each wing) and was the first air-to-air rocket used by the Luftwaffe.[2] The rockets were used to disrupt Allied bomber formations in order to enable more effective German fighter attacks against the scattered Allied aircraft.[3] However, the high drag caused by the launchers reduced the speed and maneuverability of the launching aircraft, which could be lethal if Allied fighters were encountered.
[edit] See also
 Front view of a Nebelwerfer 41. |
 Rear view of a Nebelwerfer 41. |
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[edit] References
- ^ Table data are for Nebelwerfer 41 version
- ^ a b Rockets of Bf 109. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.
- ^ Dornberger, Walter (1952 -- US translation V-2 Viking Press:New York, 1954). V2--Der Schuss ins Weltall. Esslingan: Bechtle Verlag, p262. NOTE: Dornberger claims the Nebelwerfer was used against 1944 raids on Schweinfurt.
[edit] External links
