German Projectiles - 100mm+ Mortar Rounds and Rockets

German Projectiles

H.E. Mortar Projectile, 100mm

German Designation: 10cm Wgr. 37 (Werfergranate 37)

Employment: 10cm Nb W 35

Dimensions

Overall length of body (projectile): 17.12 inches

Diameter of bourrelet: 4.09 inches
Type of bursting charge: TNT
Weight of bursting charge: 3.125 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 16 pounds

Markings: Painted grey green

Fuze: Wgr. Z. 38

Remarks: Information is from captured documents

Smoke Mortar Projectile, 100mm

No picture available

German Designation: 10cm Wgr. 35 Nb St (Werfgranate 35 Nebel Stahl)

Employment: 10cm Nb W 35

Dimensions
Overall length (projectile): 25.98 inches

Total weight (projectile): 16 pounds

Fuze: Wgr. 238

Remarks: Another round "10cm Wgr. 35 Nb TE" exists.  Information is from captured documents.

H.E. Mortar Projectile (Russian Origin), 120mm

German Designation: 12cm Wgr. 378/1, 2 or 3 (r) (Werfergranate 378/1, 2, or 3 (r))

Employment: 12cm Russian Mortar

Dimensions
Overall length (complete round): 30 inches

Overall length of body (projectile): 23.5 inches

Diameter of bourrelet: 4.719 inches
Width of bourrelet: 1.594 inches
Diameter of base of body: 1.562 inches
Total weight (projectile): 36 pounds

Number of fins: 12

Fuze: AZ 399 (r)

Remarks: A smoke shell exists.

H.E. Mortar Projectile, 200mm

German Designation: 20cm Wgr. 40 (Werfergranate 40)

Employment: 20cm L. Ladinswerfer

Dimensions
Overall length (complete round): 30.86 inches

Overall length of body (projectile): 13 inches

Diameter of body: 7.5 inches
Diameter of fins: 10.63 inches
Type of bursting charge: TNT
Weight of bursting charge: 16.94 pounds
Total weight: 49.94 pounds

Number of fins: 6

Fuze: Wgr. Z. 36

H.E. Mortar Projectile, 380mm

German Designation: 38cm Wgr. 40 (Werfergranate 40)

Employment: 38cm s. Ladingswerfer

Dimensions
Overall length (complete round): 59.21 inches

Overall length of body (projectile): 24.606 inches

Maximum diameter of body: 14.96 inches
Diameter of fins: 21.18 inches
Weight of bursting charge: 110 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 327.8 pounds

Number of fins: 6

Fuze: Wgr. Z. 36

Remarks: A smoke bomb exists with the designation "38cm Wgr. 40 Nb."

Rocket Propaganda Leaflet, 73mm

German Designation: 7.3cm Propaganda-granate 41

Employment: Propaganda Gesduits 41

Dimensions

Overall length of body (projectile): 16.1 inches

Weight of propellant: 1 pound
Type of bursting charge: Propaganda leaflets expelled by ejector C charge in flight.
Total weight (projectile): 7.2 pounds
Total weight of body: 4.5 pounds

Fuze: Time (Air burst) - Black powder train burns from propellant to black powder expeller charge.

Remarks: Consists of five parts -

1. Plastic ballistic cap 2-3/16" long which is tightly fit into;

2. A steel leaflet holder containing a 'safety pin' type spring in a split steel cylinder which it forces apart after the plastic and cardboard bore of the holder has been blown out the forward end, pushing the other parts before it, by the black powder charge in;

3. The brass base time fuze which threads;

4. Into the steel motor tube male-threaded into;

5. The base containing multiple venturis in two concentric annular rings.  Venturis in center ring vent in line of propulsion, those in outer ring have rotating inclination.

H.E. Hollow Charge Bazooka Rocket 88mm

German Designation: 8.8cm R. Pz. B. Gr.

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 25.25 inches
Diameter of body: 3.5 inches
Diameter of tail: 3.4 inches
Length of fuze housing: 6.125 inches
Type of propellant: Digl. R.P.

Total weight (projectile): 7.25 pounds

Fuze: Nose Percussion AZ 50955

Remarks: Electric ignition similar to American launcher M1 and rocket H.E. A.T. 2.36" M6A1.  Rocket and launcher of heavier weight than American counterpart.  Generates own electricity, no battery.

Smoke Rocket, 150mm

No picture available

German Designation: 15cm Wurfgranate 41 w Rn Nebel

Employment: 6 tube Neberlwerfer 41
                15cm Do-Geraet 38
                    15cm Panzerwerfer 42

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 36.43 inches
Length of body: 17 inches
Diameter of body: 4.8 inches
Maximum diameter: 6.2 inches
Weight of body: 23.5 pounds
Type of propellant: 7 sticks uni-perforated
 Weight of propellant: 14 pounds

Type of bursting charge: 30/70 Pumice.Sulphur Tri-oxide, picric burster
Weight of bursting charge: 8.5 pounds + 3.05 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 78 pounds

Fuze: Base graze fuze - DOV Zldg C/98 Np.  Electric Fuze.

Remarks: Range - 8,620 yards.  Shell at rear of rocket container.

Propellant vents through central venturi block.  26 Venturi in annular ring of assembly which forms attachment between Body Tube and Burster Container.  Can be filled with other chemicals.

H.E. Rocket, 150mm

German Designation: 15cm Wurfkoerper 41 Apreng

Employment: 6 tube Neberlwerfer 41
                15cm Do-Geraet 38
                    15cm Panzerwerfer 42

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 36.4 inches
Length of body: 12.5 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 4.8 inches
Maximum diameter: 6.2 inches
Weight of body: 22.5 pounds
Type of propellant: DGN
 Weight of propellant: 14 pounds

Type of bursting charge: TNT
Weight of bursting charge: 4.5 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 77 pounds

Fuze: Base graze fuze - DOV.   Electric Fuze - Erz 39.

Remarks: Range - 8,620 yards.  Shell at rear of rocket container.

Propellant vents through central venturi block.  26 Venturi inclined at 140.  7 Uni-perforated sticks of propellant.

H.E. Rocket, 210mm

German Designation: 21cm Wurfkoerper 42 Spreng

Employment: 21cm Nebelwerfer

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 48.2 inches
Length of body: 15.8 inches
Diameter of body: 21.3 inches
Diameter of base: 8.38 inches
Weight of body: 90 pounds
Type of propellant: 7 Tubular sticks mounted on grid
 Weight of propellant: 40.25 pounds

Type of bursting charge: Amatol 40/60
Weight of bursting charge: 21.5 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 245 pounds

Fuze: z 23 LA 0.15
PD w/instantaneous or delay setting
Hbgr Z 35K. Mech. Time fuze S/30 (Used on aircraft)

Markings: Painted Olive Green

Remarks: Range - 9,950 yards.  Nose fuze underneath ballistic cap

Venturi tubes offset 16 degrees, 22 in annular ring in base.

H.E. Rocket, 280mm

German Designation: 28cm Wurfkoerper Spreng

Employment: 28/32 Nebelwerfer 41

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 47.6 inches
Length of body: 28.34 inches
Length of tail: 18.5 inches
Diameter of body: 10.75 inches
Weight of body: 133.5 pounds
Type of propellant: Singular stick supported on circular grid
 Weight of propellant: 14.5 pounds

Type of bursting charge: Amatol
Weight of bursting charge: 79 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 183 pounds

Fuze: Wgr. Z 50

Remarks: Range - 2,080 yards.

26 Jets in annular ring.  In tropical round the venturis are sealed over by a soldered-on, flat, tinned iron ring which blows off on ignition; rotating inclination 14 degrees.

H.E. Rocket, 300mm

German Designation: 30cm Wurfkoerper Spreng

Employment: 30 Nebelwerfer 42

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 46.5 inches

Total weight (projectile): 275 pounds

Fuze: Wgr. Z 50

Remarks: Range - 2,440 yards.

Incendiary Rocket, 320mm

German Designation: 32cm Wurfkoerper mit Flamme

Employment: 28/32 Nebelwerfer 41

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 49.2 inches
Length of body: 32.67 inches
Length of tail: 18.11 inches
Diameter of body: 13.18 inches
Weight of body: 124.5 pounds

Total weight (projectile): 173.41 pounds

Weight and type of bursting charge:
-11 gallons filling (Gas and Oil) - 87.69 pounds
-PETN blocks - 0.39 pounds

Type of propellant: One stick, six celluloid tubes in slottings around its circumference, one containing quick match with G.P. pellet at each end in central hole.
 Weight of propellant: 14.24 pounds

Fuze: Wgr. Z 50

Remarks: Range - 2,430 yards.

Single multi-perforated stick of propellant.  26 Venturi in annular ring at base, rotating inclination of 14 degrees.

Next Time: German Explosives or American Explosives/Projectiles

Imperial Japanese Army Ammunition: IJA Rockets, Mortars and Explosive Charges

Japanese Explosive Ordnance: Army and Navy Ammunition

20cm High Explosive Spin-Stabilized Rocket

Assembled Round:
-Weight of complete round: 84.51kg
-Length of complete round (with fuze): 38.58 inches
Head:
-Weight of filled head (w/o fuze): 39.2kg
-Weight of filling (cast TNT): 16.2kg
-Length of head (w/o fuze): 17.52 inches
-Diameter of head: 7.87 inches
Filling: Cast TNT - 16.2kg

Fuzing:
-Army Type 100 mortar fuze - Selective: Instantaneous, short delay

Motor:
-Weight of filled motor: 45.31kg
-Weight of propellant: 9.52kg
-Length of motor: 19.06 inches
-Diameter of bearing surface: 7.99 inches

Propellant:
-Type: Smokeless powder B
-Weight: 9.52kg
-Number of sticks: 6 long, 2 short
-Smokeless powder B by analysis is a mixture of 27.71% N.G., 63.50% nitro-cellulose, 0.45% graphite, 0.34% percent ash, 3.81% ethylcentralite, 3.68% diphenyl formamide, and 1.30% volatiles. Six long sticks (34cm x 5.8cm x 1.05cm perforation) and two short sticks same diameter and perforation and 1/2 length. In some cases, one or both of the short grains have been omitted in assembly.

Ignition Mechanism:
-Igniter: Pull friction igniter
-Ignition charge (B/P/ in two blue lacquered silk bags)
-Weight of ignition charge: 0.04kg

Color and Markings:
Black overall, Head carries single yellow band at its junction with rocket motor. Weight of head and motor stenciled on each component.

Launcher:
The only launcher recovered for use with this round is a single barrel-type launcher

Remarks:
A newer model of this round has been recovered, similar to the first but with the rocket motor wall diametrically reduced to 18.9cm, giving a bourrelet effect at each end of the motor. The motor weight is correspondingly reduced to 42.43kg. Neither the head nor the motor is interchangeably with its respective component in the older round.




Type 89 58mm H.E. Mortar

Weight of complete round: 1.6 lbs
Weight of main charge: 5.4 oz
Explosive Components:
-Main charge: TNT
-Propellant: Nitrocellulose diphenylamine flaked powder.
Overall length: (w/o fuze): 4.33 inches
Maximum diameter: 50mm

Color:
1. Black overall with red band at nose, and
-A. A yellow band below the bourrelet and white band forward of rotating band
-B. Yellow band midway on the shell
2.Maroon color overall for Navy use
3.Green nose, black body with yellow and white bands.

Fuzing:
-Type 88 small instantaneous fuze

Used in:
-Type 89 grenade discharge

Description:
The body of this shell is made of three parts.
-The propellant base housing houses the propellant container and the percussion primer.
-The main shell base cover is threaded to the top section on one end and to the propellant housing on the other.
-The top section has an opening in the top to receive the fuze.
On firing, the gases generated blow through the ports in the base housing, expanding the copper rotating into the rifling of the discharger giving a gas seal and imparting rotating to the seal.

Remarks:
The Navy version of this shell is exactly the same in construction as the Army version the only variation being in the color scheme, Two minor variations of construction have been found.
1. The nose portion screws on (LH) the body directly below the bourrelet. The base is solid instead of being closed with base plate.
2. Similar to the first variation except the threads are right hand (RH).


I believe this entry is a typo and should read 50mm rather than 58mm


Type 95 50mm Smoke Mortar

Weight of complete round: 1.9 lbs
Weight of smoke filling: 3.7 oz
Filler:
-Smoke compound: Hexachlorethane smoke mixture
-Propellant: Nitrocellulose diphenylamine flaked powder.
Overall length (w/o fuze): 4.33 inches
Maximum diameter: 50mm

Color:
Black overall with a red band at the nose and two white bands, one immediately below the bourrelet and the other before the rotating band.

Fuzing:
-Type 89 small time fuze

Used in:
-Type 89 grenade discharger

Description:
The projectile casing is of forged steel. The nose screws onto the main body at a point just behind the bourrelet. The main body is joined to the base with a press-fit held by four screw shear pins. The propellant base housing which screws onto the shell base is similar in construction and operation to that of the H.E. shell. The smoke mixture is held in a brass can inside the main body and has attached to it by a short cord a steel retarder cup to slow its decent.

Operation:
When the fuze gaine fires, it ruptures the thin plate in the base of the gaine, ignites the smoke mixture, and expels the smoke candle from the shell casing.




Type 89 50mm Incendiary Mortar

Weight of complete round: 1.25 lbs
Weight of incendiary mixture: 10.7 oz
Filling: Incendiary Mixture:
-Potassium nitrate: 47.7%
-Aluminium: 21.7%
-Antimony trisulphide: 6.1%
-Wax: 2.8%
Propellant: Nitrocellulose powder
Overall length: 6.25 inches
Length of propellant containers: 1.25 inches
Diameter propellant container: 1.02 inches
Maximum diameter: 50mm

Color:
Natural brass body with black propellant container

Fuzing:
Powder delay train

Used in:
-Type 89 grenade discharger

Description:
The shell is a cylindrical sheet metal tube with a hemispherical nose and is covered with clear lacquer. Around the side of the casing are four silver-foil disks, each disc covering seven ports in the shell casing. The casing is crimped over the base, which contain two black powder delay trains and is threaded to receive the propelleant housing. The propellant housing is of steel with six gas escape ports in the sides and a percussion cap set in the screwed in base. The propellant is contained in a copper cup inside the propellant housing.

Operation:
The flash from the propellant ignites the delay trains in the base of the shell, which in turn ignite the incendiary filling.

Remarks:
Another incendiary shell, the Type 10 year, is similar in appearance and operation to the Type 89 shell. It is 5 and 7/8 inches in length; the color of the body is natural brass; and the propellant assembly is black. There are eight sets of perforations covered with silver-foil disks. The Type 10 year shell is fired from the Type 10 year grenade discharger, an obsolete weapon that was the forerunner of the Type 89 grenade discharger.




50mm Finned Bangalore Torpedo

I'm unsure if this is a printing error or if there is no visual documentation of the item.

Weight of complete round: 8.11kg
Weight of main charge: 2.87kg
Main charge: Picric
Overall length (w/o fuze): 78.37 inches
Base section length: 33.25 inches
Length from after end of base to forward bearing surface of base section: 12.75 inches
Maximum diameter of explosion tube: 50mm

Fins:
-Length: 14.75 inches
-Maximum width: 3.5 inches
-Minimum width: 2.5 inches

Color:
Fins and bangalore section are painted tan with a red band at the top of each section. The modified portion of the base section is painted black.

Fuzing:
-Instantaneous delay fuze for bagalore mortar

Used in:
-Type 98 discharger

Description:
The projectile is constructed in two sections. The nose section is a standard bangalore length, while the base section is a bangalore length cut off and modified to fit into the barrel of the discharger. This section also has three spot-welded brackets to which the sheet metal fins are bolted. A cap, having two circumferential grooves cut into it to divide the surface into three after bearing surfaces, is welded around the after end of the base section. A length of 50mm tubing is welded to the base section and serves as a forward bearing surface for the projectile. A plate is welded to the bangalore base section to prevent the bangalore from sliding too far down into the launcher tube.



50mm Stick Charges

(SM) Small (LA) Large
Weight of complete round: (SM) 15.62 lbs - (LA) 17 lbs
Weight of main charge: (SM) 7 lbs - (LA) 10 lbs
Explosive components:
-Main charge: (SM) Picric - (LA) Picric
-Propellant: (SM) Black Powder - (LA) Black Powder
Overall length: (SM) 27.35 inches - (LA) 25.5 inches
Length of explosive container: (SM) 6.75 inches - (LA) 4.5 inches
Width of explosive container: (SM) 4.5 inches - (LA) 6.25 inches
Height of explosive container: (SM) 4.5 inches - (LA) 6.25 inches
Wall thickness: (SM) 0.05 inches - (LA) 0.25 inches
Diameter of stick: (SM) 50mm - (LA) 50mm

Color:
The metal explosive container is painted black, while the wooden "stick" is left unpainted. The large model has a white stripe fore and aft around the explosive box.

Used in:
Type 98 discharger

Fuzing:
Two pull igniters

Description:
The projectile consists of a cast iron box containing blocks of picric acid mounted on a wooden pole 50mm in diameter. Two pull igniters are inserted in the bursting charge and are tied to metal loops on each side of the launcher tube collar. When the projectile is fired these pull igniters are initiated and will in turn set off the bursting charge after a short delay. The black powder propellant in silk bags is placed in the launcher tub below and independently of the projectile. The propellant is fired by a pull igniter inserted in the ignition aperture in the side of the launcher tube.





Next time: 70mm Mortar rounds, including the interesting High Explosive Anti-Aircraft Barrage Mortar Projectile