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Allied intelligence diagram of a 10 cm NbW 40

The Nebelwerfer (transl. "fog launcher") was a World War II German series of weapons. They were initially developed by and assigned to the Army's Nebeltruppen. Initially, two different mortars were fielded before they were replaced by a variety of rocket launchers ranging in size from 15 to 32 centimetres (5.9 to 12.6 in). The thin walls of the rockets had the great advantage of allowing much larger quantities of gases, fluids or high explosives to be delivered than artillery or even mortar shells of the same weight. With the exception of the Balkans Campaign, Nebelwerfer were used in every campaign of the German Army during World War II. A version of the 21 cm (8.3 in) calibre system was adapted for air-to-air use against Allied bombers.

Name

The Nebelwerfer's name, which translates as "fog launcher",^[1]^[2]^[3] had previously been given to a smoke-generating Nebelwerfer 35, and was later used for the 10 cm Nebelwerfer 40, which could deliver shells with chemical munitions, as well as high-explosive shells. The same name was then used for later rocket launcher systems. The name Nebelwerfer did remain in use for both systems, which was possibly not originally intended.^[1]^[2] The loud, shrill howling noise of the incoming rockets led Allied soldiers in the Sicily campaign to give it the nicknames "Screaming Mimi" and "Moaning Minnie".^[4]

Rudolf Nebel, a German aviator and rocket builder whose last name translates as "fog", is sometimes incorrectly named as the inventor of the Nebelwerfer artillery. Nebel did, however, develop a powder-based rocket system with the same name that he used as a fighter pilot during World War I,^[5] downing two British planes.^[6]

Weapons

10 cm Nebelwerfer 35

The lower muzzle velocity of a mortar meant that its shell walls could be thinner than those of artillery shells, and it could carry a larger payload than artillery shells of the same weight. This made it an attractive delivery system for poison gases. The U.S. Army's Chemical Warfare Service developed their 4.2-inch chemical mortar for precisely that reason and the Nebeltruppen shared that reasoning. Its first weapon was also a mortar, the 10 cm Nebelwerfer 35, which was designed in 1934.^[7]

10 cm Nebelwerfer 40

Almost from the beginning, the army wanted more range than the 10 cm NbW 35's 3,000 metres (3,300 yd), but troop trials of two prototypes did not take place until May 1940. Neither was entirely satisfactory, but the best features of both were incorporated into the 10 cm Nebelwerfer 40. This was a very advanced breech-loading weapon with a recoil mechanism and an integral wheeled carriage. It had twice the range of its predecessor, but was eight times the weight and cost nearly ten times as much: 1,500 ℛ︁ℳ︁ vs 14,000 ℛ︁ℳ︁.^[7]

15 cm Nebelwerfer 41

Rocket development had begun during the 1920s and reached fruition in the late thirties. This offered the opportunity for the Nebeltruppen to deliver large quantities of poison gas or smoke simultaneously. The first weapon to be delivered to the troops was the 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 in 1940, after the Battle of France, a purpose-designed rocket with gas, smoke and high-explosive warheads. It, like virtually all German rocket designs, was spin-stabilized to increase accuracy. One very unusual feature was that the rocket motor was in the front, the exhaust venturi being about two-thirds down the body from the nose, with the intent to optimize the blast effect of the rocket as the warhead would still be above the ground when it detonated. This proved to greatly complicate manufacture for not much extra effect and it was not copied on later rocket designs. It was fired from a six-tube launcher mounted on a towed carriage adapted from that used by the 3.7 cm PaK 36 and had a range of 6,900 metres (7,500 yd).^[8] Almost five and a half million 15 cm rockets and 6,000 launchers were manufactured over the course of the war.^[9]

28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41

The 28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41 rockets were introduced in 1941, before Operation Barbarossa. They used the same motor, but carried different warheads. The 28 centimetres (11 in) rocket had a HE warhead, while the 32 centimetres (13 in) rockets were incendiary. The maximum range for either rocket was only 2,200 metres (2,400 yd), a severe tactical drawback. Both could be fired from their wooden packing cases or a special wooden (schweres Wurfgerät 40 – heavy missile device) or tubular metal (schweres Wurfgerät 41 (sW.G. 41)) frame. Later, a towed launcher was developed that could take six rockets. Both rockets used the same launchers, but special liner rails had to be used for the 28 centimetres (11 in) rockets. A vehicular launch frame, the schwere Wurfrahmen 40 (sWu.R. 40), was also designed to improve the mobility of the heavy rockets. These were normally mounted on the sides of Sd.Kfz. 251 half-tracks, but they were also adapted for several different captured French tracked vehicles. The sWuR 40 was nicknamed the Stuka-zu-Fuß ("Stuka on Foot").^[10] Over six hundred thousand rockets and 700 launchers, excluding the sW.G. and sWu.R. firing frames, were made during the war. In total, 345 launchers were built from 1941.^[9]

21 cm Nebelwerfer 42

The 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 rocket, which was introduced in 1942, had a longer range (7,850 metres (8,580 yd)) and a simpler design than the smaller 15 cm rocket. It was only made with high-explosive warheads and was fired from a five-tube launcher that used the same carriage as the smaller weapon. Liner rails were used to allow it to fire the smaller 15 cm rocket. It was also adapted for use by the Luftwaffe to break up Allied bomber formations in 1943 as the Werfer-Granate 21.^[10] Over four hundred thousand rockets and 1,400 launchers were completed.^[9]

30 cm Nebelwerfer 42

The last German-designed rocket to be introduced was the 30 cm Nebelwerfer 42 in 1943. This was intended to replace the 28 and 32 cm rockets, which had too short a range. Advances in propellant chemistry also reduced its smoke signature. It could be fired from all of the same platforms as the older rockets and many of the older launchers were converted to be used with the newer rocket by installing adapter rails, although it also had its own purpose-designed launcher, the 30 cm Raketenwerfer 56.^[10] Fewer than two hundred thousand rockets and 700 launchers were built during the war.^[9]

8 cm Raketen-Vielfachwerfer

The Waffen-SS decided to copy the Soviet 82-millimetre (3.2 in) M-8 Katyusha rocket launcher as the 24-rail 8 cm Raketen-Vielfachwerfer. Its fin-stabilized rockets were cheaper and easier to manufacture than the German spin-stabilized designs and used cheaper launch rails. It was also capable of using the considerable stocks of captured Soviet rockets. Separate production lines were set up under party control as the army refused to convert any of its existing factories, but not many actually appear to have been made.^[10] Production quantities are unknown, but photographic evidence shows the launcher mounted on lightly armored versions of the Sd.Kfz. 4 "Maultier"^[11] and captured French SOMUA MCG half-track.^[12]

Panzerwerfer

To improve the mobility of the Nebelwerfer units, a ten-tube 15 centimetres (5.9 in) launcher was mounted on a lightly armored Sd.Kfz. 4 "Maultier" half-track chassis as the 15 cm Panzerwerfer 42 auf Selbstfahrlafette Sd.Kfz. 4/1 (based on the Opel "Maultier", or "Mule", half-track). Three hundred of these were produced, split evenly between launchers and ammunition carriers (which were identical except for the launcher).^[13] These were superseded in production by the 15 cm Panzerwerfer 42 auf Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (Panzerwerfer auf SWS), which had improved cross-country mobility and had greater ammunition storage than the "Maultier".^[11] The exact number built of the latter weapon is unknown, but evidence suggests that fewer than 100 were completed before the end of the war.^[9]

Air-to-air adaptation (Werfer-Granate 21 rocket)

The Werfergranate 21 (Wfr. Gr. 21), also called the 21 cm BR (BR believed to be the abbreviation for "Bordrakete" in official Luftwaffe manuals)^[14] 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.^[15] The Wfr. Gr. 21 was mounted on Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters (one launch tube under each wing) and on the Messerschmitt Bf 110 and Messerschmitt Me 410 heavy fighters (two launch tubes under each wing) and was the first air-to-air rocket used by the Luftwaffe.^[15] Photographic evidence indicates that the Hungarians fitted three tubes under each wing of some of their twin-engined Me 210 Ca-1 heavy fighters.^[16] The rockets were used to break up Allied bomber combat box formations in order to enable more effective German fighter attacks against the scattered Allied aircraft.^[17] However, the high drag caused by the launchers reduced the speed and maneuverability of the launching aircraft, a handicap that could prove fatal if Allied fighters were encountered. Also, the launch tube's underwing mounting setup, which usually aimed the projectile at about 15° upwards from level flight to counter the considerable ballistic drop of the projectile in flight after launch, added to the drag problem.

One experimental fitment trial program of up to 33 of the 21 cm (8.3 in) rockets, meant to be fired from a single aircraft in an upwards direction (much like the Schräge Musik upward firing autocannon on German Nachtjäger night fighters) was proposed for the Heinkel He 177A as the Grosszerstörer, mounted in the central fuselage and flying below American combat box bomber formations to down them, but the quintet of He 177A-5 airframes set aside for the Grosszerstörer program only flew as experimental airframes, seeing no active combat deployment.

Use in combat

After the crew had loaded and aimed the launcher, they had to take cover 10 to 15 metres (11 to 16 yd) away to avoid the exhaust flames, and would fire the rockets with an electric switch. After firing, however, a long streak of smoke was visible from a considerable distance, leaving the Nebelwerfer vulnerable to counter-battery fire. It was therefore necessary to relocate the launcher and crew as soon as possible after firing.^[18]

Organization

Generally, mortars of the Nebeltruppen were organized into batteries of six or eight mortars, three batteries per battalion. The towed rocket launchers had six launchers per battery, three batteries per battalion. Usually, three battalions formed a regiment. Midway through the war brigades were formed, each with two regiments. A regiment was sometimes reinforced with a Panzerwerfer battery of six to eight vehicles. From 1942, their designations changed from "Nebelwerfer" to simply "Werfer".^[19]^[20]

As part of its general expansion, the Waffen-SS began to form its own Werfer units in 1943, although they never formed any unit larger than a battalion. These were organized much the same as their Army counterparts.^[21]

Organizational history

The 1st, 2nd and 5th Nebelwerfer Battalions, each equipped with 24 10 cm Nbw 35 mortars in three batteries, were ready when the Germans invaded Poland in September 1939. The 1st and 2nd Battalions participated in that campaign, while the 5th remained in Western Germany.^[22] One battery of Artillery Regiment 222 was converted to 10 cm NbW 35s and participated in the Norwegian Campaign.^[23] By May 1940, five more battalions had been formed, all equipped with 10 cm NbW 35 mortars, filling out the sequence from one to eight, but only the first five were combat ready when the Battle of France began on 10 May 1940.^[24]

The first 15 cm NbW 41 rocket launchers were delivered in July 1940, forming three new regiments, the 51st, 52nd and 53rd Nebelwerfer Regiments, each with three battalions. The 54th Regiment was formed from the 1st and 7th Nebelwerfer Battalions.^[25] The Nebel-Lehr Regiment was formed from the Nebeltruppen school in Celle on 29 April 1941 with two battalions, one each with 10 cm NbW 35 mortars and 15 cm NbW 41 rockets. The independent Nebelwerfer Battalions retained their mortars with the exception of the 8th, which received rockets before Operation Barbarossa. The only way of differentiating those units equipped with mortars during this period from those with rockets being the "d." or "do." suffix added to the designations of the rocket-equipped units. Beginning in November 1941, the eight Decontamination Battalions were fully equipped with 28/32 cm NbW 41 rockets (some had sW.G. 40 and 41 launching frames earlier) and reorganized into three Heavy Werfer Regiments.^[19]

During early 1942, the 10th Mountain Werfer Battalion was formed from the 104th Decontamination Battalion and sent to 20th Mountain Army in Finland. In late 1943, Werfer-Battalion 11 was organized from two batteries already in Finland, including the battery from Artillery Regiment 222 that participated in the invasion of Norway. A new Panzerwerfer battery was sent from Germany to be its third battery at the same time. Both battalions retreated into Northern Norway after the Finnish armistice in September 1944 after the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive.^[26]

The 9th Nebelwerfer Battalion was given rockets, redesignated as the first battalion of Werfer-Regiment 71 and sent to North Africa late that year. Most of the second battalion were sent to Tunisia in early 1943, where it surrendered in May. The remainder of the regiment fought in Sicily and mainland Italy for the rest of the war.^[27]

Panzerwerfer batteries began to reinforce the Werfer Regiments beginning in mid-1943 and the regiments were paired into brigades beginning in early 1944. In late 1944, the brigades were redesignated as Volks-Werfer Brigades although no organizational changes occurred. A total of fifteen Werfer and Volks-Werfer Brigades were formed, plus one Positional Werfer Brigade (Stellungs-Werfer Brigade) during the war.^[28]

Images of Nebelwerfers

30 cm Nebelwerfer 42 rocket
30 cm Nebelwerfer rocket in flight
Loading a 15 cm NbW 41 in Italy
Loading 30 cm rockets
Unloading 28/32 cm rockets
A 28/32 cm rocket in flight during the Warsaw Uprising, with piles of spent cases on the right
A 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 on display next to its Allied rival, the Land Mattress

Comparable systems

Katyusha
T34 Calliope
T40/M17 Whizbang, firing 7.2-Inch Demolition Rockets (United States)
Land Mattress

Notes

^ ^a ^b Zetterling, Niklas; Frankson, Anders (7 May 2013). "Cutt Off". The Drive on Moscow, 1941: Operation Taifun And Germany's First Great Crisis Of World War II (1 ed.). Casemate Publishers. p. 109. ISBN 978-1480406629. In the German army, the rocket artillery was called 'Nebelwerfer' which means 'fog launcher'. There was already an older weapons system with that name, which was used to project artificial fog on the battlefield. Two different kinds of mortars had been developed for this purpose, the Nebelwerfer 35 and the 10cm Nebelwerfer 40. To disguise the new weapon, it was given the same name as the system already in use. This was probably not intended to be any more than temporary, but the name would linger.
^ ^a ^b Bergström, Christer (3 November 2014). "Glossary and Guide to Abbreviations". The Ardennes, 1944-1945: Hitler's Winter Offensive. Casemate. p. 12. ISBN 978-1612002774. Nebelwerfer (fog launcher), German rocket artillery.
^ Mongáin, Colm Ó (6 April 2022). "The weapons used, feared and threatened in Ukraine war". RTÉ. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
^ "Germany's Rocket and Recoilless Weapons". Intelligence Bulletin. March 1945. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
^ 125. Geburtstag von Rudolf Nebel: Pionier der Raketentechnik Deutschlandfunk
^ Grosz, Peter M. (1996). Halberstadt Fighters - Classics of WWI Aviation, Volume 1. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK: Albatros Publications. p. 10. ISBN 0-948414-86-3.
^ ^a ^b Gander and Chamberlain, p. 298
^ Gander and Chamberlain, p. 321
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "German Weapon and Ammunition Production 1 Sep 39-1 Apr 45". Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Gander and Chamberlain, p. 322
^ ^a ^b Chamberlain and Ellis, p. 188
^ Chamberlain and Ellis, pp. 224–225
^ Chamberlain and Ellis, p. 180
^ "Sonderwaffenanlage: 21 cm BR" (PDF). 10 September 1944. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Rockets of Bf 109". Archived from the original on 8 June 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
^ Petrick, Peter; Stocker, Werner (2007). Messerschmitt Me 210/Me 410 Hornet. Hinckley, England: Midland. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-85780-271-9.
^ Dornberger, Walter (1952). V2--Der Schuss ins Weltall. Esslingan: Bechtle Verlag. p. 262. Dornberger claims the Nebelwerfer was used against 1944 raids on Schweinfurt.
^ Gander and Chamberlain, pp. 321-22
^ ^a ^b Jentz, Thomas L. (2009). Leichter Zugkraftwagen 1 t: (Sd.Kfz. 10) Ausf.A and B and Variants: Development and Employment from 1935 to 1945. Panzer Tracts. Vol. 22–1. Boyds, MD: Panzer Tracts. pp. 38–40. ISBN 978-0-9815382-5-9.
^ "Army Nebelwerfer Units". Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
^ "Independent Nebelwerfer Units of the Waffen-SS". Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
^ Niehorster, Leo W. G. (2004). Higher Headquarters - GHQ - Units - Static Units (1.09.39). German World War II Organizational Series. Vol. 1/III. Milton Keyes, Buckinghamshire: Military Press. p. 40. ISBN 0-85420-249-8.
^ Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe, p. 366
^ Niehorster, Leo W. G. (1990). Mechanized GHQ Units and Waffen-SS Formations (10th May 1940). German World War II Organizational Series. Vol. 2/II. Hannover: Niehorster. p. 33.
^ Niehorster, Leo W. G. (1992). Mechanized GHQ Units and Waffen-SS Formations (22 June 1941). German World War II Organizational Series. Vol. 3/II. Hannover: Niehorster. pp. 32–33.
^ Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe, pp. 362–71
^ Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe, pp. 261-312
^ "Die Werfer-Brigaden der Wehrmacht" (in German). Retrieved 27 May 2009.

References

Baschin, J.; Block, M.; Nelson, J. & Tippmann, H. (2013). Nebel-, Panzer- und Vielfachwacher (in English and German). Vol. 30. Neumünster: Nuts & Bolts Verlag.
Chamberlain, Peter; Doyle, Hilary L. (1993). Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two: A Complete Illustrated Directory of German Battle Tanks, Armoured Cars, Self-propelled Guns, and Semi-tracked Vehicles, 1933–1945 (Revised ed.). London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 1-85409-214-6.
Englemann, Joachim; Scheibert, Horst (1974). Deutsche Artillerie 1934-1945: Eine Dokumentation in Text, Skizzen und Bildern: Ausrüstung, Gliderung, Ausbildung, Führung, Einsatz. Limburg/Lahn, Germany: C. A. Starke.
Gander, Terry; Chamberlain, Peter (1979). Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces 1939-1945. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-15090-3.
Kameradschaft der ABC-Abwehr, Nebel- und Werfertruppen e.V. (2001). Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe (Regimentsbögen). Kameradschaft der ABC-Abwehr, Nebel- und Werfertruppen e.V.

External links

[Zetterling_NW-1] Zetterling, Niklas; Frankson, Anders (7 May 2013). "Cutt Off". The Drive on Moscow, 1941: Operation Taifun And Germany's First Great Crisis Of World War II (1 ed.). Casemate Publishers. p. 109. ISBN 978-1480406629. In the German army, the rocket artillery was called 'Nebelwerfer' which means 'fog launcher'. There was already an older weapons system with that name, which was used to project artificial fog on the battlefield. Two different kinds of mortars had been developed for this purpose, the Nebelwerfer 35 and the 10cm Nebelwerfer 40. To disguise the new weapon, it was given the same name as the system already in use. This was probably not intended to be any more than temporary, but the name would linger.

[Bergstrom_NW-2] Bergström, Christer (3 November 2014). "Glossary and Guide to Abbreviations". The Ardennes, 1944-1945: Hitler's Winter Offensive. Casemate. p. 12. ISBN 978-1612002774. Nebelwerfer (fog launcher), German rocket artillery.

[Mongáin_2022_n777-3] Mongáin, Colm Ó (6 April 2022). "The weapons used, feared and threatened in Ukraine war". RTÉ. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

[4] "Germany's Rocket and Recoilless Weapons". Intelligence Bulletin. March 1945. Retrieved 24 May 2009.

[5] 125. Geburtstag von Rudolf Nebel: Pionier der Raketentechnik Deutschlandfunk

[6] Grosz, Peter M. (1996). Halberstadt Fighters - Classics of WWI Aviation, Volume 1. Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK: Albatros Publications. p. 10. ISBN 0-948414-86-3.

[gc-7] Gander and Chamberlain, p. 298

[8] Gander and Chamberlain, p. 321

[p-9] "German Weapon and Ammunition Production 1 Sep 39-1 Apr 45". Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2009.

[c-10] Gander and Chamberlain, p. 322

[c2-11] Chamberlain and Ellis, p. 188

[12] Chamberlain and Ellis, pp. 224–225

[13] Chamberlain and Ellis, p. 180

[14] "Sonderwaffenanlage: 21 cm BR" (PDF). 10 September 1944. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2023.

[adlertag-15] "Rockets of Bf 109". Archived from the original on 8 June 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.

[16] Petrick, Peter; Stocker, Werner (2007). Messerschmitt Me 210/Me 410 Hornet. Hinckley, England: Midland. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-85780-271-9.

[Dornberger-17] Dornberger, Walter (1952). V2--Der Schuss ins Weltall. Esslingan: Bechtle Verlag. p. 262. Dornberger claims the Nebelwerfer was used against 1944 raids on Schweinfurt.

[18] Gander and Chamberlain, pp. 321-22

[j-19] Jentz, Thomas L. (2009). Leichter Zugkraftwagen 1 t: (Sd.Kfz. 10) Ausf.A and B and Variants: Development and Employment from 1935 to 1945. Panzer Tracts. Vol. 22–1. Boyds, MD: Panzer Tracts. pp. 38–40. ISBN 978-0-9815382-5-9.

[20] "Army Nebelwerfer Units". Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2009.

[21] "Independent Nebelwerfer Units of the Waffen-SS". Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2009.

[22] Niehorster, Leo W. G. (2004). Higher Headquarters - GHQ - Units - Static Units (1.09.39). German World War II Organizational Series. Vol. 1/III. Milton Keyes, Buckinghamshire: Military Press. p. 40. ISBN 0-85420-249-8.

[23] Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe, p. 366

[24] Niehorster, Leo W. G. (1990). Mechanized GHQ Units and Waffen-SS Formations (10th May 1940). German World War II Organizational Series. Vol. 2/II. Hannover: Niehorster. p. 33.

[25] Niehorster, Leo W. G. (1992). Mechanized GHQ Units and Waffen-SS Formations (22 June 1941). German World War II Organizational Series. Vol. 3/II. Hannover: Niehorster. pp. 32–33.

[26] Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe, pp. 362–71

[27] Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe, pp. 261-312

[28] "Die Werfer-Brigaden der Wehrmacht" (in German). Retrieved 27 May 2009.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Italic title}}
+{{Short description|German rocket artillery}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
 [[File:10cmNbW40.jpg|right|thumb|Allied intelligence diagram of a 10 cm NbW 40]]
-The '''Nebelwerfer''' (smoke mortar<ref>[http://dict.leo.org/ende?lp=ende&lang=de&searchLoc=0&cmpType=relaxed&sectHdr=on&spellToler=on&chinese=both&pinyin=diacritic&search=nebelwerfer&relink=on LEO online dictionary]</ref>) was a [[World War II]] [[Nazi Germany|German]] series of weapons. They were initially developed by and assigned to the [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Wehrmacht]]'s "smoke troops" (''Nebeltruppen''). This weapon was given its name as a [[disinformation]] strategy designed to fool observers from the [[League of Nations]], who were observing any possible infraction of the [[Treaty of Versailles]], into thinking that it was merely a device for creating a [[smoke screen]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} They were primarily intended to deliver poison gas and smoke shells{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}, although a [[high-explosive]] shell was developed for the ''Nebelwerfer'' from the beginning. Initially, two different mortars were fielded before they were replaced by a variety of rocket launchers ranging in size from {{convert|15|to|32|cm|in}}. The thin walls of the rockets had the great advantage of allowing much larger quantities of gases, fluids or [[high explosive]]s to be delivered than artillery or even mortar shells of the same weight. With the exception of the [[Balkans Campaign (World War II)|Balkans Campaign]], ''Nebelwerfer'' were used in every campaign of the German Army during World War II. A version of the 21&nbsp;cm calibre system was adapted [[Werfer-Granate 21|for air-to-air use]] against Allied bombers.
+The '''{{lang|de|Nebelwerfer}}''' ({{translation|"fog launcher"}}) was a [[World War II]] [[Nazi Germany|German]] series of weapons. They were initially developed by and assigned to the [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Army]]'s {{lang|de|Nebeltruppen}}. Initially, two different mortars were fielded before they were replaced by a variety of rocket launchers ranging in size from {{convert|15|to|32|cm|in}}. The thin walls of the rockets had the great advantage of allowing much larger quantities of gases, fluids or [[high explosive]]s to be delivered than artillery or even mortar shells of the same weight. With the exception of the [[Balkans Campaign (World War II)|Balkans Campaign]], {{lang|de|Nebelwerfer}} were used in every campaign of the German Army during World War II. A version of the {{convert|21|cm|abbr=on}} calibre system was adapted [[Werfer-Granate 21|for air-to-air use]] against Allied bombers.
+== Name ==
+The {{lang|de|Nebelwerfer}}{{'}}s name, which translates as "fog launcher",<ref name="Zetterling_NW">{{cite book |last=Zetterling |first1=Niklas |last2=Frankson |first2= Anders |title=The Drive on Moscow, 1941: Operation Taifun And Germany's First Great Crisis Of World War II |chapter=Cutt Off |edition=1 |publisher=Casemate Publishers |date=7 May 2013 |page=109 |isbn=978-1480406629 |quote=In the German army, the rocket artillery was called 'Nebelwerfer' which means 'fog launcher'. There was already an older weapons system with that name, which was used to project artificial fog on the battlefield. Two different kinds of mortars had been developed for this purpose, the Nebelwerfer 35 and the 10cm Nebelwerfer 40. To disguise the new weapon, it was given the same name as the system already in use. This was probably not intended to be any more than temporary, but the name would linger.}}</ref><ref name="Bergstrom_NW">{{cite book |last=Bergström |first1= Christer |title=The Ardennes, 1944-1945: Hitler's Winter Offensive |chapter=Glossary and Guide to Abbreviations |publisher=Casemate |date=3 November 2014 |pages=12 |isbn= 978-1612002774 |quote=Nebelwerfer (fog launcher), German rocket artillery. }}</ref><ref name="Mongáin 2022 n777">{{cite web | last=Mongáin | first=Colm Ó | title=The weapons used, feared and threatened in Ukraine war | website=RTÉ | date=2022-04-06 | url=https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2022/0406/1290608-weapons-explainer/ | access-date=2023-07-18}}</ref> had previously been given to a smoke-generating {{lang|de|Nebelwerfer}} 35, and was later used for the [[10 cm Nebelwerfer 40|10 cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 40]], which could deliver shells with chemical munitions, as well as high-explosive shells. The same name was then used for later rocket launcher systems. The name {{lang|de|Nebelwerfer}} did remain in use for both systems, which was possibly not originally intended.<ref name="Zetterling_NW"></ref><ref name="Bergstrom_NW"></ref> The loud, shrill howling noise of the incoming rockets led Allied soldiers in the [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily campaign]] to give it the nicknames "Screaming Mimi" and "Moaning Minnie".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/rocket/index.html|title=Germany's Rocket and Recoilless Weapons|date=March 1945|work=Intelligence Bulletin|access-date=2009-05-24}}</ref>
+[[Rudolf Nebel]], a German [[aviator]] and rocket builder whose last name translates as "fog", is sometimes incorrectly named as the inventor of the {{lang|de|Nebelwerfer}} artillery. Nebel did, however, develop a powder-based rocket system with the same name that he used as a fighter pilot during [[World War I]],<ref>[https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/125-geburtstag-von-rudolf-nebel-pionier-der-raketentechnik.871.de.html?dram:article_id=443945 125. Geburtstag von Rudolf Nebel: Pionier der Raketentechnik] Deutschlandfunk</ref> downing two British planes.<ref>{{cite book |last=Grosz |first=Peter M. |title=Halberstadt Fighters - Classics of WWI Aviation, Volume 1 |url= |year=1996 |publisher=Albatros Publications |location=Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK |isbn=0-948414-86-3 |page=10}}</ref>
 ==Weapons==
-===10 cm Nebelwerfer 35===
+===10 cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 35===
 {{Main|10 cm Nebelwerfer 35}}
-The lower muzzle velocity of a mortar meant that its shell walls could be thinner than those of artillery shells, and it could carry a larger payload than artillery shells of the same weight. This made it an attractive delivery system for poison gases. The U.S. Army's [[Chemical Corps (United States Army)|Chemical Warfare Service]] developed their [[M2 4.2 inch mortar|4.2 inch chemical mortar]] for precisely that reason and the ''Nebeltruppen'' shared that reasoning. Its first weapon was also a [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]], the [[10 cm Nebelwerfer 35]], which was designed in 1934.<ref name=gc>Gander and Chamberlain, p. 298</ref>
+The lower muzzle velocity of a mortar meant that its shell walls could be thinner than those of artillery shells, and it could carry a larger payload than artillery shells of the same weight. This made it an attractive delivery system for poison gases. The U.S. Army's [[Chemical Corps (United States Army)|Chemical Warfare Service]] developed their [[M2 4.2-inch mortar|4.2-inch chemical mortar]] for precisely that reason and the ''Nebeltruppen'' shared that reasoning. Its first weapon was also a [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]], the [[10 cm Nebelwerfer 35]], which was designed in 1934.<ref name=gc>Gander and Chamberlain, p. 298</ref>
-===10 cm Nebelwerfer 40===
+===10 cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 40===
 {{Main|10 cm Nebelwerfer 40}}
-Almost from the beginning, the army wanted more range than the 10&nbsp;cm NbW 35's {{convert|3000|m|yd}}, but troop trials of two prototypes did not take place until May 1940. Neither was entirely satisfactory, but the best features of both were incorporated into the 10&nbsp;cm Nebelwerfer 40. This was a very advanced [[breech-loading weapon]] with a recoil mechanism and an integral wheeled carriage. It had twice the range of its predecessor, but was eight times the weight and cost nearly ten times as much: 1,500 [[German Reichsmark|RM]] vs 14,000 RM.<ref name="gc"/>
+Almost from the beginning, the army wanted more range than the 10&nbsp;cm NbW 35's {{convert|3000|m|yd}}, but troop trials of two prototypes did not take place until May 1940. Neither was entirely satisfactory, but the best features of both were incorporated into the 10&nbsp;cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 40. This was a very advanced [[breech-loading weapon]] with a recoil mechanism and an integral wheeled carriage. It had twice the range of its predecessor, but was eight times the weight and cost nearly ten times as much: {{Reichsmark|1,500|link=yes}} vs {{Reichsmark|14,000}}.<ref name="gc"/>
-===15 cm Nebelwerfer 41===
+===15 cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 41===
 {{Main|15 cm Nebelwerfer 41}}
-Rocket development had begun during the 1920s and reached fruition in the late thirties. This offered the opportunity for the ''Nebeltruppen'' to deliver large quantities of [[poison gas]] or smoke simultaneously. The first weapon to be delivered to the troops was the 15&nbsp;cm Nebelwerfer 41 in 1940, after the [[Battle of France]], a purpose-designed rocket with gas, smoke and high-explosive warheads. It, like virtually all German rocket designs, was spin-stabilized to increase accuracy. One very unusual feature was that the rocket motor was in the front, the exhaust venturi being about two-thirds down the body from the nose, with the intent to optimize the blast effect of the rocket as the warhead would still be above the ground when it detonated. This proved to greatly complicate manufacture for not much extra effect and it was not copied on later rocket designs. It was fired from a six-tube launcher mounted on a towed carriage adapted from that used by the [[3.7 cm PaK 36]] and had a range of {{convert|6900|m|yd}}.<ref>Gander and Chamberlain, p. 321</ref> Almost five and a half million 15&nbsp;cm rockets and 6,000 launchers were manufactured over the course of the war.<ref name=p>{{cite web|url=http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/GermWeapProd.html|title=German Weapon and Ammunition Production 1 Sep 39-1 Apr 45|access-date=2009-05-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421033226/http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/GermWeapProd.html|archive-date=21 April 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
+Rocket development had begun during the 1920s and reached fruition in the late thirties. This offered the opportunity for the ''Nebeltruppen'' to deliver large quantities of [[poison gas]] or smoke simultaneously. The first weapon to be delivered to the troops was the 15&nbsp;cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 41 in 1940, after the [[Battle of France]], a purpose-designed rocket with gas, smoke and high-explosive warheads. It, like virtually all German rocket designs, was spin-stabilized to increase accuracy. One very unusual feature was that the rocket motor was in the front, the exhaust venturi being about two-thirds down the body from the nose, with the intent to optimize the blast effect of the rocket as the warhead would still be above the ground when it detonated. This proved to greatly complicate manufacture for not much extra effect and it was not copied on later rocket designs. It was fired from a six-tube launcher mounted on a towed carriage adapted from that used by the [[3.7 cm PaK 36]] and had a range of {{convert|6900|m|yd}}.<ref>Gander and Chamberlain, p. 321</ref> Almost five and a half million 15&nbsp;cm rockets and 6,000 launchers were manufactured over the course of the war.<ref name=p>{{cite web|url=http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/GermWeapProd.html|title=German Weapon and Ammunition Production 1 Sep 39-1 Apr 45|access-date=2009-05-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421033226/http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/GermWeapProd.html|archive-date=21 April 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
-===28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41===
+===28/32 cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 41===
-[[File:Mémorial du Souvenir 17 - Schweres Wurfgerät 41.jpg|thumb|Schweres Wurfgerät 41, [[Mémorial du Souvenir]], [[Dunkirk]]]]
+[[File:Mémorial du Souvenir 17 - Schweres Wurfgerät 41.jpg|thumb|''Schweres Wurfgerät'' 41, [[Mémorial du Souvenir]], [[Dunkirk]]]]
-[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-049-0176-26, Russland, Zugkraftwagen mit Nebelwerfern.jpg|thumb|right|[[28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41]] rocket launcher]]
+[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-049-0176-26, Russland, Zugkraftwagen mit Nebelwerfern.jpg|thumb|right|[[28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41|28/32 cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 41]] rocket launcher]]
 {{Main|28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41}}
-The 28/32&nbsp;cm Nebelwerfer 41 rockets were introduced in 1941, before [[Operation Barbarossa]]. They used the same motor, but carried different warheads. The {{convert|28|cm|in}} rocket had a [[Explosive material|HE]] warhead, while the {{convert|32|cm|in}} rockets were incendiary. The maximum range for either rocket was only {{convert|2200|m|yd}}, a severe tactical drawback. Both could be fired from their wooden packing cases or a special wooden (schweres Wurfgerät 40 – heavy missile device) or tubular metal (schweres Wurfgerät 41 (sW.G. 41)) frame. Later, a towed launcher was developed that could take six rockets. Both rockets used the same launchers, but special liner rails had to be used for the {{convert|28|cm|in}} rockets. A vehicular launch frame, the schwere [[Wurfrahmen 40]] (sWu.R. 40), was also designed to improve the mobility of the heavy rockets. These were normally mounted on the sides of [[Sd.Kfz. 251]] [[half-tracks]], but they were also adapted for several different captured French tracked vehicles. The sWuR 40 was nicknamed the ''Stuka-zu-Fuß'' ("[[Stuka]] on Foot").<ref name=c>Gander and Chamberlain, p. 322</ref> Over six hundred thousand rockets and 700 launchers, excluding the sW.G. and sWu.R. firing frames, were made during the war. In total, 345 launchers were built from 1941.<ref name="p"/>
+The 28/32&nbsp;cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 41 rockets were introduced in 1941, before [[Operation Barbarossa]]. They used the same motor, but carried different warheads. The {{convert|28|cm|in}} rocket had a [[Explosive material|HE]] warhead, while the {{convert|32|cm|in}} rockets were incendiary. The maximum range for either rocket was only {{convert|2200|m|yd}}, a severe tactical drawback. Both could be fired from their wooden packing cases or a special wooden (''schweres Wurfgerät'' 40 – heavy missile device) or tubular metal (''schweres Wurfgerät'' 41 (sW.G. 41)) frame. Later, a towed launcher was developed that could take six rockets. Both rockets used the same launchers, but special liner rails had to be used for the {{convert|28|cm|in}} rockets. A vehicular launch frame, the ''schwere'' [[Wurfrahmen 40|''Wurfrahmen'' 40]] (sWu.R. 40), was also designed to improve the mobility of the heavy rockets. These were normally mounted on the sides of [[Sd.Kfz. 251]] [[half-tracks]], but they were also adapted for several different captured French tracked vehicles. The sWuR 40 was nicknamed the ''Stuka-zu-Fuß'' ("[[Stuka]] on Foot").<ref name=c>Gander and Chamberlain, p. 322</ref> Over six hundred thousand rockets and 700 launchers, excluding the sW.G. and sWu.R. firing frames, were made during the war. In total, 345 launchers were built from 1941.<ref name="p"/>
-===21 cm Nebelwerfer 42===
+===21 cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 42===
-[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-787-0505-09A, Nordafrika, 21cm Nebelwerfer.jpg|thumb|left|[[21 cm Nebelwerfer 42]] launcher in [[North Africa]]]]
+[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-787-0505-09A, Nordafrika, 21cm Nebelwerfer.jpg|thumb|left|[[21 cm Nebelwerfer 42|21 cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 42]] launcher in [[North Africa]]]]
 {{Main|21 cm Nebelwerfer 42}}
-The 21&nbsp;cm Nebelwerfer 42 rocket, which was introduced in 1942, had a longer range ({{convert|7850|m|yd}}) and a simpler design than the smaller 15&nbsp;cm rocket. It was only made with high-explosive warheads and was fired from a five-tube launcher that used the same carriage as the smaller weapon. Liner rails were used to allow it to fire the smaller 15&nbsp;cm rocket. It was also adapted for use by the [[Luftwaffe]] to break up [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] bomber formations in 1943 as the [[Werfer-Granate 21]].<ref name="c"/> Over four hundred thousand rockets and 1,400 launchers were completed.<ref name="p"/>
+The 21&nbsp;cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 42 rocket, which was introduced in 1942, had a longer range ({{convert|7850|m|yd}}) and a simpler design than the smaller 15&nbsp;cm rocket. It was only made with high-explosive warheads and was fired from a five-tube launcher that used the same carriage as the smaller weapon. Liner rails were used to allow it to fire the smaller 15&nbsp;cm rocket. It was also adapted for use by the [[Luftwaffe]] to break up [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] bomber formations in 1943 as the [[Werfer-Granate 21|''Werfer-Granate'' 21]].<ref name="c"/> Over four hundred thousand rockets and 1,400 launchers were completed.<ref name="p"/>
-===30 cm Nebelwerfer 42===
+===30 cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 42===
 {{Main|30 cm Nebelwerfer 42}}
-The last German-designed rocket to be introduced was the 30&nbsp;cm Nebelwerfer 42 in 1943. This was intended to replace the 28 and 32&nbsp;cm rockets, which had too short a range. Advances in propellant chemistry also reduced its smoke signature. It could be fired from all of the same platforms as the older rockets and many of the older launchers were converted to be used with the newer rocket by installing adapter rails, although it also had its own purpose-designed launcher, the [[30 cm Raketenwerfer 56]].<ref name="c"/> Fewer than two hundred thousand rockets and 700 launchers were built during the war.<ref name="p"/>
+The last German-designed rocket to be introduced was the 30&nbsp;cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 42 in 1943. This was intended to replace the 28 and 32&nbsp;cm rockets, which had too short a range. Advances in propellant chemistry also reduced its smoke signature. It could be fired from all of the same platforms as the older rockets and many of the older launchers were converted to be used with the newer rocket by installing adapter rails, although it also had its own purpose-designed launcher, the [[30 cm Raketenwerfer 56|30 cm ''Raketenwerfer'' 56]].<ref name="c"/> Fewer than two hundred thousand rockets and 700 launchers were built during the war.<ref name="p"/>
-===8 cm Raketen-Vielfachwerfer===
+===8 cm ''Raketen-Vielfachwerfer''===
-[[File:RIAN archive 303890 A battery of Katyusha during the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War.jpg|thumb|A battery of Katyusha launchers fires at German forces during the [[Battle of Stalingrad]], 6 October 1942]]
+[[File:RIAN archive 303890 A battery of Katyusha during the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War.jpg|thumb|A battery of ''Katyusha'' launchers fires at German forces during the [[Battle of Stalingrad]], 6 October 1942]]
-[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-300-1863-30, Riva-Bella, Waffenvorführung Panzerwerfer.jpg|thumb|right|8 cm Raketen-Vielfachwerfer launcher mounted on a [[SOMUA MCG]]]]
+[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-300-1863-30, Riva-Bella, Waffenvorführung Panzerwerfer.jpg|thumb|right|8 cm ''Raketen-Vielfachwerfer'' launcher mounted on a [[SOMUA MCG]]]]
-The [[Waffen-SS]] decided to copy the Soviet {{convert|82|mm|in|adj=on}} M-8 [[Katyusha rocket launcher]] as the 24-rail [[8 cm Raketen-Vielfachwerfer]]. Its fin-stabilized rockets were cheaper and easier to manufacture than the German spin-stabilized designs and used cheaper launch rails. It was also capable of using the considerable stocks of captured Soviet rockets. Separate production lines were set up under party control as the army refused to convert any of its existing factories, but not many actually appear to have been made.<ref name="c"/> Production quantities are unknown, but photographic evidence shows the launcher mounted on lightly armored versions of the [[Sd.Kfz. 4]] "Maultier"<ref name=c2>Chamberlain and Ellis, p. 188</ref> and captured French [[SOMUA MCG]] half-track.<ref>Chamberlain and Ellis, pp. 224–225</ref>
+The [[Waffen-SS]] decided to copy the Soviet {{convert|82|mm|in|adj=on}} M-8 [[Katyusha rocket launcher|''Katyusha'' rocket launcher]] as the 24-rail [[8 cm Raketen-Vielfachwerfer|8 cm ''Raketen-Vielfachwerfer'']]. Its fin-stabilized rockets were cheaper and easier to manufacture than the German spin-stabilized designs and used cheaper launch rails. It was also capable of using the considerable stocks of captured Soviet rockets. Separate production lines were set up under party control as the army refused to convert any of its existing factories, but not many actually appear to have been made.<ref name="c"/> Production quantities are unknown, but photographic evidence shows the launcher mounted on lightly armored versions of the [[Sd.Kfz. 4]] "''Maultier''"<ref name=c2>Chamberlain and Ellis, p. 188</ref> and captured French [[SOMUA MCG]] half-track.<ref>Chamberlain and Ellis, pp. 224–225</ref>
 ===Panzerwerfer===
 {{Main|Panzerwerfer}}
-To improve the mobility of the Nebelwerfer units, a ten-tube {{convert|15|cm|in}} launcher was mounted on a lightly armored Sd.Kfz. 4 "Maultier" [[half-track]] chassis as the 15&nbsp;cm Panzerwerfer 42 auf Selbstfahrlafette [[Sd.Kfz. 4|Sd.Kfz. 4/1]] (based on the [[Opel]] "''Maultier''", or "Mule", half-track). Three hundred of these were produced, split evenly between launchers and ammunition carriers (which were identical except for the launcher).<ref>Chamberlain and Ellis, p. 180</ref> These were superseded in production by the 15&nbsp;cm Panzerwerfer 42 auf [[Schwere Wehrmachtschlepper|Schwerer Wehrmachtsschlepper]] (Panzerwerfer auf SWS), which had improved cross-country mobility and had greater ammunition storage than the "Maultier".<ref name="c2"/> The exact number built of the latter weapon is unknown, but evidence suggests that fewer than 100 were completed before the end of the war.<ref name="p"/>
+To improve the mobility of the ''Nebelwerfer'' units, a ten-tube {{convert|15|cm|in}} launcher was mounted on a lightly armored Sd.Kfz. 4 "''Maultier''" [[half-track]] chassis as the 15&nbsp;cm ''Panzerwerfer'' 42 ''auf Selbstfahrlafette'' [[Sd.Kfz. 4|Sd.Kfz. 4/1]] (based on the [[Opel]] "''Maultier''", or "Mule", half-track). Three hundred of these were produced, split evenly between launchers and ammunition carriers (which were identical except for the launcher).<ref>Chamberlain and Ellis, p. 180</ref> These were superseded in production by the 15&nbsp;cm ''Panzerwerfer'' 42 ''auf [[Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper]]'' (''Panzerwerfer auf'' SWS), which had improved cross-country mobility and had greater ammunition storage than the "''Maultier''".<ref name="c2"/> The exact number built of the latter weapon is unknown, but evidence suggests that fewer than 100 were completed before the end of the war.<ref name="p"/>
-===Air-to-air adaptation (Werfer-Granate 21 rocket)===
+===Air-to-air adaptation (''Werfer-Granate'' 21 rocket)===
 {{main|Werfer-Granate 21}}
-[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-674-7772-13A, Flugzeug Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Bewaffnung.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190|Fw 190]] being loaded with a ''Wfr.Gr. 21'' rocket]]
+[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-674-7772-13A, Flugzeug Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Bewaffnung.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190|Fw 190]] being loaded with a Wfr.Gr. 21 rocket]]
-The '''''Werfergranate'' 21''' (Wfr. Gr. 21), also called the '''21&nbsp;cm BR''' (BR believed to be the abbreviation for "''Bordrakete''" in official Luftwaffe manuals)[http://www.cockpitinstrumente.de/archiv/Dokumente/ABC/f/FockeWulf/Fw%20190/Fw%20190%20Sonderwaffenanlage%20Teil%208C.pdf] was an unguided [[air-to-air rocket]] version of the projectile used in the ''Nebelwerfer'' 42 and was first used in the [[Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission|defense of Schweinfurt]] on 17 August 1943.<ref name=adlertag>{{cite web|url=http://www.adlertag.de/waffen/rockets.htm|title=Rockets of Bf 109|access-date=2007-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608160153/http://www.adlertag.de/waffen/rockets.htm|archive-date=8 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''Wfr. Gr. 21'' was mounted on [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] and [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]] [[fighter aircraft|fighter]]s (one launch tube under each wing) and on the [[Messerschmitt Bf 110]] and [[Messerschmitt Me 410]] [[heavy fighter]]s (two launch tubes under each wing) and was the first air-to-air rocket used by the [[Luftwaffe]].<ref name=adlertag/> Photographic evidence indicates that the Hungarians fitted three tubes under each wing of some of their twin-engined [[Me 210]] Ca-1 heavy fighters.<ref>{{cite book|last=Petrick|first=Peter|author2=Stocker, Werner|title=Messerschmitt Me 210/Me 410 Hornet|publisher=Midland|location=Hinckley, England|year=2007|page=45|isbn=978-1-85780-271-9}}</ref> The rockets were used to break up [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[bomber]] [[combat box]] formations in order to enable more effective German fighter attacks against the scattered Allied aircraft.<ref name=Dornberger>{{cite book |last=Dornberger|first=Walter|author-link=Walter Dornberger|title=V2--Der Schuss ins Weltall|year=1952 <!-- -- US translation ''V-2'' Viking Press:New York, 1954 --> |publisher=Bechtle Verlag|location=Esslingan|page=262}} '''NOTE''': Dornberger claims the Nebelwerfer was used against 1944 raids on Schweinfurt.</ref> However, the high [[Drag (physics)|drag]] caused by the launchers reduced the speed and maneuverability of the launching aircraft, a handicap that could prove fatal if Allied fighters were encountered. Also, the launch tube's underwing mounting setup, which usually aimed the projectile at about 15° upwards from level flight to counter the considerable [[bullet drop|ballistic drop]] of the projectile in flight after launch, added to the drag problem.
+The '''''Werfergranate'' 21''' (Wfr. Gr. 21), also called the '''21&nbsp;cm BR''' (BR believed to be the abbreviation for "''Bordrakete''" in official Luftwaffe manuals)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cockpitinstrumente.de/archiv/Dokumente/ABC/f/FockeWulf/Fw%20190/Fw%20190%20Sonderwaffenanlage%20Teil%208C.pdf | title=Sonderwaffenanlage: 21 cm BR | date=September 10, 1944 | accessdate=July 19, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320071233/http://www.cockpitinstrumente.de/archiv/Dokumente/ABC/f/FockeWulf/Fw%20190/Fw%20190%20Sonderwaffenanlage%20Teil%208C.pdf|archive-date=March 20, 2009}}</ref> was an unguided [[air-to-air rocket]] version of the projectile used in the ''Nebelwerfer'' 42 and was first used in the [[Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission|defense of Schweinfurt]] on 17 August 1943.<ref name=adlertag>{{cite web|url=http://www.adlertag.de/waffen/rockets.htm|title=Rockets of Bf 109|access-date=2007-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608160153/http://www.adlertag.de/waffen/rockets.htm|archive-date=8 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''Wfr. Gr. 21'' was mounted on [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] and [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]] [[fighter aircraft|fighter]]s (one launch tube under each wing) and on the [[Messerschmitt Bf 110]] and [[Messerschmitt Me 410]] [[heavy fighter]]s (two launch tubes under each wing) and was the first air-to-air rocket used by the [[Luftwaffe]].<ref name=adlertag/> Photographic evidence indicates that the Hungarians fitted three tubes under each wing of some of their twin-engined [[Me 210]] Ca-1 heavy fighters.<ref>{{cite book|last=Petrick|first=Peter|author2=Stocker, Werner|title=Messerschmitt Me 210/Me 410 Hornet|publisher=Midland|location=Hinckley, England|year=2007|page=45|isbn=978-1-85780-271-9}}</ref> The rockets were used to break up [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[bomber]] [[combat box]] formations in order to enable more effective German fighter attacks against the scattered Allied aircraft.<ref name=Dornberger>{{cite book |last=Dornberger|first=Walter|author-link=Walter Dornberger|title=V2--Der Schuss ins Weltall|year=1952 <!-- -- US translation ''V-2'' Viking Press:New York, 1954 --> |publisher=Bechtle Verlag|location=Esslingan|page=262}} Dornberger claims the Nebelwerfer was used against 1944 raids on Schweinfurt.</ref> However, the high [[Drag (physics)|drag]] caused by the launchers reduced the speed and maneuverability of the launching aircraft, a handicap that could prove fatal if Allied fighters were encountered. Also, the launch tube's underwing mounting setup, which usually aimed the projectile at about 15° upwards from level flight to counter the considerable [[bullet drop|ballistic drop]] of the projectile in flight after launch, added to the drag problem.
-One experimental fitment trial program of up to 33 of the 21&nbsp;cm rockets, meant to be fired from a single aircraft in an upwards direction (much like the ''[[Schräge Musik]]'' upward firing autocannon on German ''Nachtjäger'' night fighters) was proposed for the [[Heinkel He 177#Experimental weapon loads|Heinkel He 177]]A as the ''Grosszerstörer'', mounted in the central fuselage and flying below American combat box bomber formations to down them, but the quintet of He 177A-5 airframes set aside for the ''Grosszerstörer'' program only flew as experimental airframes, seeing no active combat deployment.
+One experimental fitment trial program of up to 33 of the {{convert|21|cm|abbr=on}} rockets, meant to be fired from a single aircraft in an upwards direction (much like the ''[[Schräge Musik]]'' upward firing autocannon on German ''Nachtjäger'' night fighters) was proposed for the [[Heinkel He 177#Experimental weapon loads|Heinkel He 177]]A as the ''Grosszerstörer'', mounted in the central fuselage and flying below American combat box bomber formations to down them, but the quintet of He 177A-5 airframes set aside for the ''Grosszerstörer'' program only flew as experimental airframes, seeing no active combat deployment.
 ==Use in combat==
-After the crew had loaded and aimed the launcher, they had to take cover {{convert|10|to|15|m|yd}} away to avoid the exhaust flames, and would fire the rockets with an electric switch. After firing, however, a long streak of smoke was visible from a considerable distance, leaving the ''Nebelwerfer'' vulnerable to [[counter-battery fire]]. It was therefore necessary [[shoot-and-scoot|to relocate the launcher and crew]] as soon as possible after firing.<ref>Gander and Chamberlain, pp. 321-22</ref> The loud, shrill howling noise of the incoming rockets led Allied soldiers in the [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily campaign]] to give it the nicknames "Screaming Mimi" and "Moaning Minnie".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/rocket/index.html|title=Germany's Rocket and Recoilless Weapons|date=March 1945|work=Intelligence Bulletin|access-date=2009-05-24}}</ref>
+After the crew had loaded and aimed the launcher, they had to take cover {{convert|10|to|15|m|yd}} away to avoid the exhaust flames, and would fire the rockets with an electric switch. After firing, however, a long streak of smoke was visible from a considerable distance, leaving the ''Nebelwerfer'' vulnerable to [[counter-battery fire]]. It was therefore necessary [[shoot-and-scoot|to relocate the launcher and crew]] as soon as possible after firing.<ref>Gander and Chamberlain, pp. 321-22</ref>
 ==Organization==
-Generally, mortars of the ''Nebeltruppen'' were organized into batteries of six or eight mortars, three batteries per battalion. The towed rocket launchers had six launchers per battery, three batteries per battalion. Usually, three battalions formed a regiment. Midway through the war brigades were formed, each with two regiments. A regiment was sometimes reinforced with a ''Panzerwerfer'' battery of 6-8 vehicles. From 1942, their designations changed from ''Nebelwerfer'' to simply ''Werfer''.<ref name=j>{{cite book|last=Jentz|first=Thomas L.|title=Leichter Zugkraftwagen 1 t: (Sd.Kfz. 10) Ausf.A and B and Variants: Development and Employment from 1935 to 1945|publisher=Panzer Tracts|location=Boyds, MD|year=2009|series=Panzer Tracts|volume=22-1|pages=38–40|isbn=0-9815382-5-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/werfer.html|title=Army Nebelwerfer Units|access-date=2009-05-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206140050/http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/werfer.html|archive-date=6 February 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
+Generally, mortars of the ''Nebeltruppen'' were organized into batteries of six or eight mortars, three batteries per battalion. The towed rocket launchers had six launchers per battery, three batteries per battalion. Usually, three battalions formed a regiment. Midway through the war brigades were formed, each with two regiments. A regiment was sometimes reinforced with a ''Panzerwerfer'' battery of six to eight vehicles. From 1942, their designations changed from "''Nebelwerfer''" to simply "''Werfer''".<ref name=j>{{cite book|last=Jentz|first=Thomas L.|title=Leichter Zugkraftwagen 1 t: (Sd.Kfz. 10) Ausf.A and B and Variants: Development and Employment from 1935 to 1945|publisher=Panzer Tracts|location=Boyds, MD|year=2009|series=Panzer Tracts|volume=22-1|pages=38–40|isbn=978-0-9815382-5-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/werfer.html|title=Army Nebelwerfer Units|access-date=2009-05-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206140050/http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/werfer.html|archive-date=6 February 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
-As part of its general expansion, the [[Waffen-SS]] began to form its own ''Werfer'' units in 1943, although they never formed any unit bigger than a battalion. These were organized much the same as their Army counterparts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/ss-nebelwerfer.html|title=Independent Nebelwerfer Units of the Waffen-SS|access-date=2009-05-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207071639/http://www.sturmvogel.orbat.com/ss-nebelwerfer.html|archive-date=7 February 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
+As part of its general expansion, the [[Waffen-SS]] began to form its own ''Werfer'' units in 1943, although they never formed any unit larger than a battalion. These were organized much the same as their Army counterparts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/ss-nebelwerfer.html|title=Independent Nebelwerfer Units of the Waffen-SS|access-date=2009-05-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207071639/http://www.sturmvogel.orbat.com/ss-nebelwerfer.html|archive-date=7 February 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 ==Organizational history==
-The ''1st, 2nd and 5th Nebelwerfer Battalions'', each equipped with 24 ''10&nbsp;cm Nbw 35'' mortars in three batteries, were ready when the Germans [[Invasion of Poland|invaded Poland]] in September 1939. The ''1st and 2nd Battalions'' participated in that campaign, while the ''5th'' remained in Western Germany.<ref>{{cite book|last=Niehorster|first=Leo W. G.|title=Higher Headquarters - GHQ - Units - Static Units (1.09.39)|publisher=Military Press|location=Milton Keyes, Buckinghamshire|year=2004|series=German World War II Organizational Series|page=40|volume=1/III|isbn=0-85420-249-8}}</ref> One battery of ''Artillery Regiment 222'' was converted to ''10&nbsp;cm NbW 35s'' and participated in the Norwegian Campaign.<ref>Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe, p. 366</ref> By May 1940, five more battalions had been formed, all equipped with ''10&nbsp;cm NbW 35'' mortars, filling out the sequence from 1 to 8, but only the first five were combat ready when the [[Battle of France]] began on 10 May 1940.<ref>{{cite book|last=Niehorster|first=Leo W. G.|title=Mechanized GHQ Units and Waffen-SS Formations (10th May 1940)|publisher=Niehorster|location=Hannover|year=1990|series=German World War II Organizational Series|volume=2/II|page=33}}</ref>
+The 1st, 2nd and 5th ''Nebelwerfer'' Battalions, each equipped with 24 10&nbsp;cm Nbw 35 mortars in three batteries, were ready when the Germans [[Invasion of Poland|invaded Poland]] in September 1939. The 1st and 2nd Battalions participated in that campaign, while the 5th remained in Western Germany.<ref>{{cite book|last=Niehorster|first=Leo W. G.|title=Higher Headquarters - GHQ - Units - Static Units (1.09.39)|publisher=Military Press|location=Milton Keyes, Buckinghamshire|year=2004|series=German World War II Organizational Series|page=40|volume=1/III|isbn=0-85420-249-8}}</ref> One battery of Artillery Regiment 222 was converted to 10&nbsp;cm NbW 35s and participated in the Norwegian Campaign.<ref>''Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe'', p. 366</ref> By May 1940, five more battalions had been formed, all equipped with 10&nbsp;cm NbW 35 mortars, filling out the sequence from one to eight, but only the first five were combat ready when the [[Battle of France]] began on 10 May 1940.<ref>{{cite book|last=Niehorster|first=Leo W. G.|title=Mechanized GHQ Units and Waffen-SS Formations (10th May 1940)|publisher=Niehorster|location=Hannover|year=1990|series=German World War II Organizational Series|volume=2/II|page=33}}</ref>
-The first ''15&nbsp;cm NbW 41'' rocket launchers were delivered in July 1940, forming three new regiments, the ''51st'', ''52nd'' and ''53rd Nebelwerfer Regiments'', each with three battalions. The ''54th Regiment'' was formed from the ''1st'' and ''7th Nebelwerfer Battalions''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Niehorster|first=Leo W. G.|title=Mechanized GHQ Units and Waffen-SS Formations (22 June 1941)|publisher=Niehorster|location=Hannover|year=1992|series=German World War II Organizational Series|volume=3/II|pages=32–33}}</ref> The ''Nebel-Lehr Regiment'' was formed from the ''Nebeltruppen'' school in [[Celle]] on 29 April 1941 with two battalions, one each with ''10&nbsp;cm NbW 35'' mortars and ''15&nbsp;cm NbW 41'' rockets. The independent ''Nebelwerfer Battalions'' retained their mortars with the exception of the 8th, which received rockets before [[Operation Barbarossa]]. The only way of differentiating those units equipped with mortars during this period from those with rockets being the "d." or "do." suffix added to the designations of the rocket-equipped units. Beginning in November 1941, the eight Decontamination Battalions were fully equipped with 28/32&nbsp;cm NbW 41 rockets (some had ''sW.G. 40'' and ''41'' launching frames earlier) and reorganized into three ''Heavy Werfer Regiments''.<ref name="j"/>
+The first 15&nbsp;cm NbW 41 rocket launchers were delivered in July 1940, forming three new regiments, the 51st, 52nd and 53rd ''Nebelwerfer'' Regiments, each with three battalions. The 54th Regiment was formed from the 1st and 7th ''Nebelwerfer'' Battalions.<ref>{{cite book|last=Niehorster|first=Leo W. G.|title=Mechanized GHQ Units and Waffen-SS Formations (22 June 1941)|publisher=Niehorster|location=Hannover|year=1992|series=German World War II Organizational Series|volume=3/II|pages=32–33}}</ref> The ''Nebel-Lehr'' Regiment was formed from the ''Nebeltruppen'' school in [[Celle]] on 29 April 1941 with two battalions, one each with 10&nbsp;cm NbW 35 mortars and 15&nbsp;cm NbW 41 rockets. The independent ''Nebelwerfer'' Battalions retained their mortars with the exception of the 8th, which received rockets before [[Operation Barbarossa]]. The only way of differentiating those units equipped with mortars during this period from those with rockets being the "d." or "do." suffix added to the designations of the rocket-equipped units. Beginning in November 1941, the eight Decontamination Battalions were fully equipped with 28/32&nbsp;cm NbW 41 rockets (some had sW.G. 40 and 41 launching frames earlier) and reorganized into three Heavy ''Werfer'' Regiments.<ref name="j"/>
-During early 1942, the ''10th Mountain Werfer Battalion'' was formed from the ''104th Decontamination Battalion'' and sent to ''20th Mountain Army'' in Finland. In late 1943, ''Werfer-Battalion 11'' was organized from two batteries already in Finland, including the battery from ''Artillery Regiment 222'' that participated in the invasion of Norway. A new ''Panzerwerfer'' battery was sent from Germany to be its third battery at the same time. Both battalions retreated into Northern Norway after the Finnish [[Moscow Armistice|armistice]] in September 1944 after the [[Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive]].<ref>Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe, pp. 362–71</ref>
+During early 1942, the 10th Mountain ''Werfer'' Battalion was formed from the 104th Decontamination Battalion and sent to 20th Mountain Army in Finland. In late 1943, ''Werfer''-Battalion 11 was organized from two batteries already in Finland, including the battery from Artillery Regiment 222 that participated in the invasion of Norway. A new ''Panzerwerfer'' battery was sent from Germany to be its third battery at the same time. Both battalions retreated into Northern Norway after the Finnish [[Moscow Armistice|armistice]] in September 1944 after the [[Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive]].<ref>''Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe'', pp. 362–71</ref>
-The ''9th Nebelwerfer Battalion'' was given rockets, redesignated as the first battalion of Werfer-Regiment 71 and sent to North Africa late that year. Most of the second battalion were sent to Tunisia in early 1943, where it surrendered in May. The remainder of the regiment fought in Sicily and mainland Italy for the rest of the war.<ref>Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe, pp. 261-312</ref>
+The 9th ''Nebelwerfer'' Battalion was given rockets, redesignated as the first battalion of ''Werfer''-Regiment 71 and sent to North Africa late that year. Most of the second battalion were sent to Tunisia in early 1943, where it surrendered in May. The remainder of the regiment fought in Sicily and mainland Italy for the rest of the war.<ref>''Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe'', pp. 261-312</ref>
-''Panzerwerfer'' batteries began to reinforce the ''Werfer Regiments'' beginning in mid-1943 and the regiments were paired into brigades beginning in early 1944. In late 1944, the brigades were redesignated as ''Volks-Werfer Brigades'' although no organizational changes occurred. A total of fifteen ''Werfer'' and ''Volks-Werfer Brigades'' were formed, plus one ''Positional Werfer Brigade (Stellungs-Werfer-Brigade)'' during the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Werferbrigaden/Gliederung.htm|title=Die Werfer-Brigaden der Wehrmacht |language=de |access-date=2009-05-27}}</ref>
+''Panzerwerfer'' batteries began to reinforce the ''Werfer'' Regiments beginning in mid-1943 and the regiments were paired into brigades beginning in early 1944. In late 1944, the brigades were redesignated as ''Volks-Werfer'' Brigades although no organizational changes occurred. A total of fifteen ''Werfer'' and ''Volks-Werfer'' Brigades were formed, plus one Positional ''Werfer'' Brigade (''Stellungs-Werfer'' Brigade) during the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Werferbrigaden/Gliederung.htm|title=Die Werfer-Brigaden der Wehrmacht |language=de |access-date=2009-05-27}}</ref>
+==Images of Nebelwerfers==
-==Image gallery==
-<gallery>
+<gallery mode=packed>
-Image:Nebelwerfer Wurfgranate.JPG|30&nbsp;cm Nebelwerfer 42 rocket
+Image:Nebelwerfer Wurfgranate.JPG|30&nbsp;cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 42 rocket
-Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-278-0888-37, Russland, Raketenwerfer, Abschuss.jpg|30&nbsp;cm Nebelwerfer rocket in flight
+Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-278-0888-37, Russland, Raketenwerfer, Abschuss.jpg|30&nbsp;cm ''Nebelwerfer'' rocket in flight
 Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-304-0643-11A, Italien, Soldaten mit "Nebelwerfer".jpg|Loading a 15&nbsp;cm NbW 41 in Italy
 Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-278-0888-25, Russland, Nebelwerfer.jpg|Loading 30&nbsp;cm rockets
 Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-049-0177-27, Russland, Zugkraftwagen mit Nebelwerfer.jpg|Unloading 28/32&nbsp;cm rockets
 Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-696-0426-19, Warschauer Aufstand, Raketenwerfer-Einsatz.jpg|A 28/32&nbsp;cm rocket in flight during the [[Warsaw Uprising]], with piles of spent cases on the right
-Image:Nebelwerfer and Land Mattress.jpg|A 21&nbsp;cm Nebelwerfer 42 on display next to its Allied rival, the [[Land Mattress]]
+Image:Nebelwerfer and Land Mattress.jpg|A 21&nbsp;cm ''Nebelwerfer'' 42 on display next to its Allied rival, the [[Land Mattress]]
 </gallery>
 ==Comparable systems==
-*[[Katyusha rocket launcher|Katyusha]]
+*''[[Katyusha rocket launcher|Katyusha]]''
 *[[T34 Calliope]]
-*[[T40 Whizbang]], firing [[7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket]]s (United States)
+*[[T40/M17 Whizbang]], firing [[7.2-Inch Demolition Rocket]]s (United States)
+*[[Mattress (rocket)|Land Mattress]]
 ==Notes==
-{{Reflist|30em}}
+{{Reflist}}
 ==References==
+{{refbegin}}
 *{{cite book |last1=Baschin |first1=J. |last2=Block |first2=M. |last3=Nelson |first3=J. |last4=Tippmann |first4=H. |title=Nebel-, Panzer- und Vielfachwacher |date=2013 |publisher=Nuts & Bolts Verlag |location=Neumünster |language=en, de |volume=30|name-list-style=amp}}
 * {{cite book|last=Chamberlain|first=Peter|author2=Doyle, Hilary L.|title=Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two: A Complete Illustrated Directory of German Battle Tanks, Armoured Cars, Self-propelled Guns, and Semi-tracked Vehicles, 1933–1945|publisher=Arms and Armour Press|location=London|year=1993|edition=Revised|isbn=1-85409-214-6}}
@@ Line 94: / Line 103: @@
 * {{cite book|last=Gander|first=Terry|author2=Chamberlain, Peter|title=Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces 1939-1945|publisher=Doubleday|location=New York|year=1979|isbn=0-385-15090-3}}
 * {{cite book|last=Kameradschaft der ABC-Abwehr, Nebel- und Werfertruppen e.V.|title=Die Nebel- und Werfertruppe (Regimentsbögen)|publisher=Kameradschaft der ABC-Abwehr, Nebel- und Werfertruppen e.V|year=2001}}
+{{refend}}
 ==External links==
 {{Commons|Nebelwerfer}}
-* [http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/nebelwerfer/index.html U.S. World War II Intelligence Report on Nebelwerfer 41]
+* [http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/nebelwerfer/index.html U.S. World War II Intelligence Report on ''Nebelwerfer'' 41]
-* [http://www.cockpitinstrumente.de/archiv/Dokumente/ABC/f/FockeWulf/Fw%20190/Fw%20190%20Sonderwaffenanlage%20Teil%208C.pdf Luftwaffe manual for Werfer-Granate 21 rocket use on late model Fw 190 As]-in German
+* [http://www.cockpitinstrumente.de/archiv/Dokumente/ABC/f/FockeWulf/Fw%20190/Fw%20190%20Sonderwaffenanlage%20Teil%208C.pdf Luftwaffe manual for ''Werfer-Granate'' 21 rocket use on late-model Fw 190 As]-in German
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090206140050/http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/werfer.html Army Nebelwerfer Units on Panzerkeil]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090206140050/http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/werfer.html Army Nebelwerfer Units on ''Panzerkeil'']
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090207071639/http://www.sturmvogel.orbat.com/ss-nebelwerfer.html Independent Nebelwerfer Units of the Waffen-SS on Panzerkeil]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090207071639/http://www.sturmvogel.orbat.com/ss-nebelwerfer.html Independent Nebelwerfer Units of the Waffen-SS on ''Panzerkeil'']
-* [http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Nebeltruppe.htm Nebeltruppe on Lexikon der Wehrmacht]
+* [http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Nebeltruppe.htm Nebeltruppe on ''Lexikon der Wehrmacht'']
-* [http://www.photo-war.com/eng/archives/album3153.htm The photo album of Wehrmacht NCO with photos of 15-cm Nebelwerfer 41, 21-cm Nebelwerfer 42 and 15-cm Panzerwerfer 42 in combat at the Eastern Front.]
+* [http://www.photo-war.com/eng/archives/album3153.htm Photo album of Wehrmacht NCO with photos of 15-cm Nebelwerfer 41, 21-cm Nebelwerfer 42 and 15-cm Panzerwerfer 42 in combat at the Eastern Front.]
 {{WWIIGermanGuns}}

v t e German artillery of World War II
Tank guns	2 cm KwK 30 3.7 cm KwK 36 3,7 cm KwK 34(t) 3.7 cm KwK 38(t) 5 cm KwK 38 5 cm KwK 39 7.5 cm KwK 37 7.5 cm KwK 40 7.5 cm KwK 42 8.8 cm KwK 36 8.8 cm KwK 43 12.8 cm KwK 44
Anti-tank guns	2.8 cm sPzB 41 3.7 cm Pak 36 4.2 cm Pak 41 4.7 cm Pak 38(t) 4.7 cm Pak 181(f) 5 cm Pak 38 7.5 cm Pak 97/38 7.5 cm Pak 39 7.5 cm Pak 40 7.5 cm Pak 41 7.5 cm Pak 42 7.62 cm Pak 36(r) 8 cm PAW 600 8.8 cm Pak 43 10 cm PAW 1000 12.8 cm Pak 44
Infantry and mountain guns	7.5 cm leIG 18 7.5 cm IG 37 7.5 cm IG 42 7.5 cm GebH 34 7.5 cm GebG 36 10.5 cm GebH 40 15 cm sIG 33
Recoilless guns	7.5 cm LG 40 10.5 cm LG 40 10.5 cm LG 42
Mortars	5 cm leGrW 36 8 cm GrW 34 kz 8 cm GrW 42 Reihenwerfer
Heavy mortars	10 cm NbW 35 10 cm NbW 40 12 cm GrW 42 20 cm leLdgW 21 cm GrW 69 38 cm schwerer Ladungswerfer
Rocket artillery	7.3 cm Föhn-Gerät 7.3 cm Propagandawerfer 41 8 cm Raketen-Vielfachwerfer 8.8 cm Raketenwerfer 43 15 cm Do-Gerät 15 cm NbW 41 21 cm NbW 42 28/32 cm NbW 41 30 cm NbW 42 30 cm Raketenwerfer 56 Wurfrahmen 40
Field, medium and heavy guns	7.5 cm FK 16 nA 7.5 cm FK 18 7.5 cm FK 38 7.5 cm FK 7M85 10 cm K 17 10 cm sK 18 10.5 cm leFH 16 10.5 cm leFH 18 10.5 cm leFH 18M 10.5 cm leFH 18/40 10.5 cm sK 18/40 15 cm sFH 13 15 cm sFH 18 15 cm sFH 36 15 cm K 16 15 cm K 18 15 cm K 39 15 cm SK C/28 17 cm K 18 21 cm Mrs 16 21 cm Mrs 18
Superheavy and siege artillery	21 cm K 38 21 cm K 39 24 cm H 39 24 cm K (t) 24 cm Kanone L/46 24 cm K 3 28 cm H L/12 35.5 cm Haubitze M1 42 cm Gamma Mörser Karl-Gerät 80 cm K (E) Gustav
Railroad artillery	15 cm K (E) 17 cm K (E) 20.3 cm K (E) 21 cm K 12 (E) 24 cm Th K (E) 24 cm ThBr K (E) 28 cm kzBr K (E) 28 cm lgBr K (E) 28 cm sBr K (E) 28 cm Br NK (E) 28 cm K 5 (E) 38 cm Siegfried K (E) 80 cm K (E) Gustav
Naval artillery	8.8 cm SK L/45 naval gun 8.8 cm SK C/30 naval gun 8.8 cm SK C/32 naval gun 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun 10.5 cm SK C/32 naval gun 12.7 cm SK C/34 naval gun 15 cm SK L/45 15 cm SK C/25 15 cm SK C/28 15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun 20.3 cm SK C/34 naval gun 28 cm SK L/40 gun 28 cm SK C/28 naval gun 28 cm SK C/34 naval gun 38 cm SK C/34 naval gun 40.6 cm SK C/34 gun
Anti-aircraft guns	2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling 2 cm Gebirgsflak 38 3 cm MK 303 Flak 3.7 cm Flak 18/36/37 3.7 cm SK C/30 3.7 cm Flak M42 3.7 cm Flak 43 5 cm Flak 41 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 10.5 cm Flak 38 12.8 cm Flak 40
Demolition charges	Stielgranate 41 Stielgranate 42