Soviet Satellite Country Ammunition - East Germany

            

Examination of East German Ammunition Production/Inventory

A. Small Arms Ammunition

It is not known whether East Germany is manufacturing small arms ammunition at the present time.  The manufacturing capacity for small arms ammunition of that area known today as East Germany was tremendous prior to 1945.  Although much of the industry was damaged during World War II, and some has passed into the hands of the Poles and the Czechs, production on a large scale could still become a reality, if desired by the Soviets.  The large Polte, DWM, and Gustloff plants, in addition to many other smaller plants, could produce more than enough small arms ammunition to fulfill East Germany's wartime needs.

It is true that these plants may or may not have cartridge-manufacturing machinery available at present.  However, even if they do not, it would not be too difficult for East Germany to re-equip them, since large facilities for machine tool construction are still in East German hands.  East Germany is potentially capable of producing any and every caliber and type of small arms ammunition.

B. Mortar Ammunition

Soviet 82mm, 120mm, and 160mm mortar shells are probably to be found in the KVP, which is equipped with Soviet 82mm and 120mm and probably 160mm mortars.  The KVP is not known to hold any other types of mortar ammunition in significant quantities.




C. Artillery Ammunition

The East German artillery ammunition supply is of Soviet origin obtained primarily from Soviet Army depots and dumps.  Ammunition is provided very sparingly for all artillery weapons.  There is no confirmed evidence of East German manufacture of artillery ammunition.

Since Soviet ordnance materiel has replaced practically all of the German World War II equipment, East Germany is completely dependent upon the Soviet Union, Poland, and Czechoslovakia for artillery ammunition.

D. Rockets

The Soviet 132mm rocket launcher M-13 is the only multiple rocket launcher known to be possessed by East Germany.  It holds 16 rockets and has a range of approximately 10,000 yards.

E. Pyrotechnics

It is believed that 26mm signal cartridges are now being manufactured in East Germany.  These signal cartridges will chamber in German or Soviet signal pistols.  Specimens reported had color bands on the cartridge case, serrations on the cartridge case rim, and indentations on the cartridge case base to serve as a means of identification.

Next Time: Soviet Satellite Country Ammunition - Hungary

Source: Original US-supplied Canadian Manual on Soviet & Soviet Satellite Explosives (No. 30-14-2)