12 cm Granatwerfer 42

• Name — 12 cm Granatwerfer 42 • Origin — Nazi Germany • Type — Mortar • Is Ranged — yes • Is Artillery — yes • Used By — Nazi Germany • Wars — Second World War • Design Date — 1942 • Unit Cost — 1,200 Reichsmark • Production Date — 1943–1945 • Number — 8,461 • Weight — 280 kg • Part Length — 1.865 m L/15.5 • Cartridge — 15.6 kg bomb • Caliber — 120 mm • Rate — 8-10 rpm • Velocity — 280 m/s • Max Range — 6 km • Elevation — 45° to 85° • Traverse — 8° to 17° variable with elevation

Developed in 1942, the 12 cm (about 4.7 in) GrW 42 was an attempt to give German infantry units a close support weapon with greater performance than the mortars used in general service at the time. This weapon was very similar to the M1938 mortar used by Soviet forces on the Eastern Front, which in turn was an improved version of the French 120 mm Brandt Mle 1935 mortar. The 120 mm Brandt m35 was used in limited quantities during the Battle of France and exported to the USSR and other nations before the country's capitulation in 1940. The Soviet PM 38 120 mm mortar, was captured in large quantities during the war in the East and pressed into service by the Germans and other Axis nations before the introduction of similar nationally produced 12 cm mortar designs. In German use, the captured Soviet mortar was given the designation 12 cm Granatwerfer 378 (r).