The Nebelwerfer 41

They were more accurate but harder to mass produce and delivered a smaller barrage. As stated above, a Katiushka could deliver 14 to 48 missiles per platorm whereas the Nebelwherfer could launch 6 to 10 in veichle mount... I think the small loss in accuracy was more than made up in sheer numbers



Cheers...

 

I've just added what must be the smallest item of Militaria I've ever bought to my collection...



It's an ERZ39, or Elektrische Raketen Zunder 39 - an igniter from a Nebelwerfer.

This - I think, although I'm happy to be corrected - is roughly how it fitted.......



That is one of the 'chunks' of Nebelwerfer projectile I bought a few years ago, and now given the 'Deox-C' rust treatment.

Both items originated on the Eastern Front......

 

Martin your last collectible item is from what part of the Nebelwerfer ? ............ if you know

 

It's the 'venturi', a sort of cast-metal ring 2/3 of the way down the projectile. The holes are bored at an angle ; the black-powder propellant in the nose ( when fired by the ERZ ) was forced through the holes which imparted a 'spin' to the projectile. The base section which fits below the venturi ring is machined and appears to be made of conventional shell steel ( it contains a base-fuze ).

All in all, a very interesting weapon and I rather wish I'd had the money to purchase a complete example back in 2008......

 

do you have a schematic sheet on the projectile ?

 

Here's a link...

Google Image Result for http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/ttt07/pics/nebelwerfer-rocket.jpg

...but I think better ones are available.....

 

Just a heads-up to mention that a quite interesting new publication about the Nebelwerfer is now available : - 'Nuts & Bolts #30 - Nebel- Panzer und Vielfachwerfer' by Baschin/Block/Nelson/Tippmann.

This is a high-quality softback, aimed primarily at the modeller but with many photographs, some from private colelctions and previously unpublished. It's written in both German and English and , as books about the weapon aren't exactly common, I found it quite fascinating. It's mainly technical, covering design, manufacture and operational use.

My copy cost £25 from the Ian Allan bookshop in London, which IMPO isn't too outrageous considering the quality.........

 

I'm curious but compared to the Katyusha (Hopefully I spelled this correctly) how good was the Nebelwerfer compared to Stalin's organ? a better question maybe is which one would be considered better?
I've never really known much about the Nebelwerfer and I'm just curious.

 

yes, I never read much about the different effects/etc of arty vs rockets....hopefully an expert can give as one of those great replies/info

 

I recall reading both relied more on the morale impact than destruction- the pressure of the bombs exploding and noise made soldiers go nuts and sometimes even heavy fortifications were taken due to the pressure impact. There was also a number of broken shell pieces flying around but the effect on morale probably was bigger than the actual destruction.

 

I don't see how they could miss much!! granted, they are not ''accurate''....but it seems like they fire hundreds in those salvos..[ I thought '''salvoes'' with an 'e' was ok ]????

 

Guess troops in good cover would be quite protected against them, compared to 150/152/155 howitzers. The explosive effect of both Kat/Nebel wasn´t so great I read. Probably really more morale. However if troops caught in open... other story.

 

good point..yes, if fired against prepared positions, I can easily see not much effect...but in open, ...yes, totally agree here

 

Your right, from what I read, especially personal accounts, it was a psychological effect more than physical.

 

My long-running Nebelwerfer project has moved forward another phase since I first posted the relics pic back in 2008.

The box of igniters came from e-bay as did the nose fairing. Yesterday I finally acquired ( via Germany ) a complete propellant chamber with venturi. All added to my broken tail-section, it's coming together quite nicely now......




Maybe later in the year at the Fairs I'll look out for a better tail section and a transit case......

 

is that an actual rocket?

 

It certainly is - and it's VERY heavy : certainly not something you'd want to drop on your foot......

 

is it inert? why blue? how heavy?? thanks for replies

 

It's most certainly inert ( definitely not the sort of thing I'd want in the house if it weren't ! ) and it weighs 35 kilos. Someone painted the centre section blue to consiolidate it : original colours were matt grey, green or sand and one of these days I'll get around to spraying it the correct colour......

 

much thanks....great forum here, where you can get not only great info, but great pics of the weapons/etc....yes, you might not want a WW2 explosive device around! [I should've thought about it ]...I enjoy seeing these kind of pictures