12 cm Granatwerfer 42
Overview
12-cm Granatwerfer 42
German troops posing with a Granatwerfer 42 at the eastern front during World War 2.
Source: Bundesarchiv -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Description
Introduction
The 12-cm Granatwerfer 42 is a mid to late World War 2 era heavy mortar of Nazi German origin. It was adopted since captured Soviet 120mm mortars were found more effective than the 81mm mortars used until then.
Design
The 12-cm Granatwerfer 42 was reverse engineered from the Soviet 120-PM-38, which in turn is based on the French Brandt Mle 35. It has a conventional design, being a muzzle loaded smoothbore mortar with round baseplate and bipod with elevation adjustment.
Firepower
The 12-cm Granatwerfer 42 fires 120mm mortar shells out to a range of 5.7 km. The maximum rate of fire is 8 to 10 rpm.
Mobility
The GrW 42 can be disassembled in three pieces. This allows it to be carried over short distances. Normally it is to be moved by vehicle. At two wheel carriage allows it to be towed by various vehicles. These include the Opel Blitz 4x2 truck and tracked RSO.
Users
During the later stages of World War 2 the 12-cm Granatwerfer 42 was in widespread use. Over 8.000 of these mortars were produced.
Details
Media
12-cm Granatwerfer 42
RSO tracked prime mover towing a Granatwerfer 42 on its two wheel carriage.
Source: Bundesarchiv
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
12-cm Granatwerfer 42
German troops using the sight on a Granatwerfer 42 at the eastern front during World War 2.
Source: Bundesarchiv
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Related articles
120mm PM-43
The 12-cm Granatwerfer 42 was reverse engineered from the Soviet 120-PM-38.