30 cm Raketenwerfer 56
The 30 cm Raketenwerfer 56 was a German multiple rocket launcher used in the Second World War. It served with units of the Nebeltruppen, the German equivalent of the U.S. Army's 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.
30 cm Raketenwerfer 56
Hubert Śmietanka · CC BY-SA 2.5
- Name
- 30 cm Raketenwerfer 56
- Field
- rocket artillery
- Period
- 1942
- Region
- Nazi Germany
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Documentary summary
The 30 cm Raketenwerfer 56 was a German multiple rocket launcher used in the Second World War. It served with units of the Nebeltruppen, the German equivalent of the U.S. Army's 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.
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wikidata · Q4634556 · wikipedia · 30 cm Raketenwerfer 56
In this article
Overview
Overview
The name "Nebelwerfer" is best translated as "Smoke Mortar". 694 saw service from 1944 to 1945 in all theaters except Norway.
The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 Abandoned German half-tracked rocket launchers in a forest near Celle, 13 April 1945.
Laing (Sgt), No 5 Army Film Photographic Unit · http: 50/media-50047/large.jpg This photograph BU 3430 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums.
German multiple rocket launcher cal. 30 cm known as Raketenwerfer 56 (Polish Army Museum in Warsaw)
Cyborian
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — 30 cm Raketenwerfer 56 • Origin — Nazi Germany • Type — Rocket artillery • Is Explosive — yes • Is Artillery — yes • Service — 1944–45 • Used By — Nazi Germany • Wars — World War II • Design Date — 1942–44 • Number — 694 • Weight — 1004 kg (empty) • Cartridge Weight — 127 kg • Caliber — 301 mm • Barrels — 6 • Velocity — 230 m/s • Max Range — 4550 m • Elevation — -3° to +45° • Traverse — 22° 30' • Filling — HE • Filling Weight — 45 kg
Organization and use
Organization and use
The 30 cm Raketenwerfer 56 was organized into batteries of six launchers with three batteries per battalion. These battalions were concentrated in independent Werfer-Regiments and Brigades. It saw service on the Eastern Front, Italian Campaign and the defense of France and Germany from 1944 to 1945.
Chronology
Dated record
Chronology
Explore 1942
The full dated record · 3 entries
1942
30 cm Raketenwerfer 56 first recorded.
1942
30 cm Raketenwerfer 56 is recorded from 1942.
1942
30 cm Raketenwerfer 56 was established or created in 1942.
Description
The 30 cm Raketenwerfer 56 was a six-barreled rocket launcher mounted on the carriage of the 5 cm PaK 38 anti-tank gun. Its 30 cm Wurfkörper 42 Spreng (Explosive missile) rocket was spin-stabilized and electrically fired. The rockets had a prominent exhaust trail that kicked up a lot of debris, so the crew had to seek shelter before firing. This meant that they were easily located and had to displace quickly to avoid counter-battery fire. The rockets were fired one at a time, in a timed ripple, but the launcher had no capability to fire single rockets. 15 cm Wurfgranate 41 rockets could be fired using liner rails. When not in use the rails were strapped to the top of the launcher. The same rocket was used in the 30 cm Nebelwerfer 42 launcher.
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q4634556: 30 cm Raketenwerfer 56
Unverified · Wikidata
reference work
- “30 cm Raketenwerfer 56”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
References
Citations
References
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authority record
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Connections
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Broader subject
1- rocket artilleryTerminology
Established from a fact already recorded on a verified source.
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