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{{Short description|WW2 German infantry mortar}}
{{unreferenced|date=March 2009}}
{{Infobox Weapon
{{Infobox weapon
|name= 12 cm Granatwerfer 42
|name= 12 cm Granatwerfer 42
|image=Granatwerfer 42 an der Ostfront.jpg
|image=[[File:120-мм миномёт образца 1938 (Германия).jpg|250px]]
|image_size=300
|caption=
|caption= Granatwerfer 42 on the Eastern Front
|origin={{flagcountry|Nazi Germany}}
|origin=Nazi Germany
|type= [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]]
|type= [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]]
<!-- Type selection -->
<!-- Type selection -->
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<!-- Production history -->
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=
|designer=
|design_date=1941
|design_date=1942
|manufacturer=
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost= 1,200 [[Reichsmark]]
|production_date=
|production_date=1943–1945
|number=
|number=8,461<ref name=Granatwerfer>[http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Waffen/granatwerfer.htm] {{in lang|de}}</ref>
|variants=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight= 280 kg (617.3 lbs)
|weight={{convert|280|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|length=
|length=
|part_length={{convert|1.865|m|ftin|abbr=on}} L/15.5<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/mortarsrockets0000cham/page/9|title=Mortars and rockets|last=Chamberlain|first=Peter|date=1975|publisher=Arco Pub. Co|page=[https://archive.org/details/mortarsrockets0000cham/page/9 9]|others=Gander, Terry|isbn=0668038179|location=New York|oclc=2067459}}</ref>
|part_length=
|crew=
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge= 15.6 kg bomb
|cartridge={{convert|15.6|kg|lboz|abbr=on}} bomb
|caliber= 120 mm (4.72 in)
|caliber={{convert|120|mm|inch|abbr=on}}
|action=
|action=
|rate=
|rate=8-10 rpm
|velocity=
|velocity={{convert|280|m/s|feet/s|abbr=on}}
|range=
|range=
|max_range= 6,050 m (6,616 yds)
|max_range={{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name=":0" />
|feed=
|feed=
|sights=
|sights=
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|carriage=
|carriage=
|elevation=45° to 85°
|elevation=45° to 85°
|traverse=8° to 17° variable with elevation<ref name=":0" />
|traverse=
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications -->
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications -->
|blade_type=
|blade_type=
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}}
}}


The '''''12cm Granatwerfer'' 42''' (literally, "grenade thrower Model 42"; official designation: '''12&nbsp;cm GrW 42''') was a [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] used by [[Germany]] during [[World War II]].
The '''''12&nbsp;cm Granatwerfer'' 42''' (literally, "grenade thrower Model 42"; official designation: '''12&nbsp;cm GrW 42''') was a [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] used by Germany during [[World War II]].


== Development ==
Developed in 1941, the 12&nbsp;cm (about 4.7 in) GrW 42 was an attempt to give German infantry units a close support weapon with a heavier performance than the [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]] used in general service at the time. This weapon was very similar to the mortar used by [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] forces on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] which in turn was an improved version of the French 120 mm Brandt m35 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 [[M1938 mortar|PM 38]] 120&nbsp;mm mortar, were 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 12cm mortar designs. The captured Soviet mortar was given the following designation in German use; '''12&nbsp;cm ''Granatwerfer'' 378 (r)'''.
Developed in 1942, the 12&nbsp;cm (about 4.7 in) GrW 42 was an attempt to give German infantry units a [[Fire support|close support weapon]] with greater performance than the [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]] used in general service at the time. This weapon was very similar to the [[M1938 mortar]] used by [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] forces on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] which in turn was an improved version of the French 120&nbsp;mm Brandt Mle 1935 mortar. The 120&nbsp;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 [[M1938 mortar|PM 38]] 120&nbsp;mm mortar, were 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&nbsp;cm mortar designs. In German use, the captured Soviet mortar was given the designation '''12&nbsp;cm ''Granatwerfer'' 378 (r)'''.<ref name="Encyclopedie">{{cite encyclopedia|title=120-HM 38|language=fr | encyclopedia =Encyclopédie des armes : Les forces armées du monde|publisher=Atlas|year=1986|page=2042|volume=IX|number=103. Armes de soutien d'infanterie 1939-1945}}</ref>
⚫
The GrW 42 was basically the usual three part construction made up of a circular base plate like the previous French and Soviet designs, the tube itself and the supporting bipod. Because of the greater weight of the weapon (280 kilograms or 620 pounds) a two wheeled axle was utilised, enabling the mortar to be towed into action. The axle could then be quickly removed before firing.


== Description ==
The maximum range of the GrW 42, firing a 15.6&nbsp;kg projectile, was approximately 6,050 m with an elevation of between 45 and 85 degrees. It has a maximum traverse of 16 degrees.
⚫
The GrW 42 was basically the usual three-part construction made up of a circular base plate like the previous Soviet design, the tube itself and the supporting bi-pod. Because of the greater weight of the weapon (280 kilograms or 620 pounds) a two-wheeled axle was utilized, enabling the mortar to be towed into action. The axle could then be quickly removed before firing.{{cn|date=February 2018}} A total of 5,373,000 rounds of ammunition were produced for the weapon.<ref name=Granatwerfer/>

==References==
{{reflist}}


{{Commons category|12 cm Granatwerfer 42}}
{{Commons category|12 cm Granatwerfer 42}}
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[[Category:World War II infantry mortars of Germany]]
[[Category:World War II infantry mortars of Germany]]
[[Category:120 mm artillery]]
[[Category:120 mm mortars]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1943]]

{{Weapon-stub}}
{{Germany-WWII-stub}}

Latest revision as of 18:54, 7 June 2024

12 cm Granatwerfer 42
Granatwerfer 42 on the Eastern Front
TypeMortar
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
Used byNazi Germany
WarsSecond World War
Production history
Designed1942
Unit cost1,200 Reichsmark
Produced1943–1945
No. built8,461[1]
Specifications
Mass280 kg (620 lb)
Barrel length1.865 m (6 ft 1.4 in) L/15.5[2]
Shell15.6 kg (34 lb 6 oz) bomb
Caliber120 mm (4.7 in)
Elevation45° to 85°
Traverse8° to 17° variable with elevation[2]
Rate of fire8-10 rpm
Muzzle velocity280 m/s (920 ft/s)
Maximum firing range6 km (3.7 mi)[2]

The 12 cm Granatwerfer 42 (literally, "grenade thrower Model 42"; official designation: 12 cm GrW 42) was a mortar used by Germany during World War II.

Development

[edit]

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, were 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).[3]

Description

[edit]

The GrW 42 was basically the usual three-part construction made up of a circular base plate like the previous Soviet design, the tube itself and the supporting bi-pod. Because of the greater weight of the weapon (280 kilograms or 620 pounds) a two-wheeled axle was utilized, enabling the mortar to be towed into action. The axle could then be quickly removed before firing.[citation needed] A total of 5,373,000 rounds of ammunition were produced for the weapon.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b [1] (in German)
  2. ^ a b c Chamberlain, Peter (1975). Mortars and rockets. Gander, Terry. New York: Arco Pub. Co. p. 9. ISBN 0668038179. OCLC 2067459.
  3. ^ "120-HM 38". Encyclopédie des armes : Les forces armées du monde (in French). Vol. IX. Atlas. 1986. p. 2042.
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