21 cm Nebelwerfer 42
The 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 (21 cm NbW 42) was a German multiple rocket launcher used in the Second World War. It served with units of the Nebeltruppen, the German equivalent of the American Chemical Corps. Just as the Chemical Corps had responsibility for poison gas and smoke weapons that were used instead to deliver high-explosives during the war so did the Nebeltruppen. The name "Nebelwerfer" is best translated as "Smoke Mortar". It saw service from 1942–45 in all theaters except Norway. It was adapted for aerial combat by the Luftwaffe in 1943.
| 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 | |
|---|---|
A 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 being manoeuvred into position in France, 1944 | |
| Type | Rocket artillery |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1942–1951 |
| Used by | Nazi Germany, France |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Donauwörth Machine Factory |
| No. built | 2626 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Empty: 550 kg (1,210 lb) Loaded: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb) |
| Length | 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) |
| Barrel length | 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) |
| Width | 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) |
| Height | 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Shell | 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in) |
| Shell weight | 109.55 kg (241.5 lb) |
| Caliber | 21 cm (8.3 in) |
| Barrels | 5 |
| Carriage | split-trail |
| Elevation | -5° to +45° |
| Traverse | 24° |
| Muzzle velocity | 320 m/s (1,000 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 7,850 m (8,580 yd) |
| Filling | HE |
| Filling weight | 10.17 kg (22.4 lb) |
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