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 - 120mm, 150mm, and 320mm Mortar Projectiles

Japanese Explosive Ordnance: Army and Navy Ammunition

We finish off the last of the mortar rounds, and thus complete the list of explosive ordnance for the Imperial Japanese Army. Technically, it's not the end as there is another 30 or so pages on the all the various Fuzes they used which I'll skipping over it unless there's a particular demand for it.


Type 2 120mm High Explosive Mortar

Weight of complete round: 26.5 lbs
Weight of main charge: 6 lbs
Explosive components:
-Main Charge: TNT
-Booster: RDX and wax
Overall length (w/o fuze): 22.5 inches
Maximum diameter at bourrelet: 120mm
Maximum diameter at tail fins: 120mm

Color:
Black overall with a red tip and a yellow band forward of the bourrelet

Fuzing:
Type 100 instantaneous short delay mortar fuze

Used in:
Type 2 120mm Mortar

Description:
The body section of this shell is similar to that of the standard Army finned mortar types but the tail fin section resembles that of the Navy 81mm H.E. The 12 fins are welded to the propellant tube which is welded to the base of the body. The forward end of the tube has 42 escape ports arranged in 6 rows to allow the flash to pass from the primary cartridge to the propellant increments. The initial charge is contained in a cardboard case which fits inside the propellant tube and is held in place by a steel plug fitted with the primer cap. The main propelling charge is contained in 6 doughnut shaped silk bags which are split so that they can be slipped around the propellant tube above the tail fins and over the flash ports.

Remarks:
A variation of this shell has been found with the tail section threaded into the body and secured by a pin instead of being welded to the body.



Type 96 150mm High Explosive Mortar

Weight of complete round: 58.06 lbs
Weight of main charge: 12.9 lbs
Explosive components:
-Main Charge: TNT
-Booster: Picric
-Propellant:
--Nitrocellulose and graphite: 58%
--Nitroglycerine: 7.1%
--Dinitrotoluene: 25.7%
--Diphenylamine: 0.5%
--Potassium Nitrate: 8.7%
Overall length (w/o fuze): 28.75 inches
Length of fin assembly: 7.81 inches
Maximum diameter at bourrelet: 150mm
Maximum diameter at tail fins: 149mm

Color:
Black overall with a red tip, a yellow band below the bourrelet, and a white band before the tail fin assembly.

Fuzing:
Type 93 instantaneous short delay mortar fuze

Used in:
Type 96 150mm smoothbore mortar

Description:
The construction of this shell is similar to that of the Type 97 81mm H.E. mortar shell.



Type 97 150mm High Explosive Mortar

Weight of complete round: 43.5 lbs
Weight of main charge: 8.98 lbs
Explosive components:
-Main Charge: TNT
-Booster: RDX and wax
-Propellant:
--Nitrocellulose and graphite: 58%
--Nitroglycerine: 7.1%
--Dinitrotoluene: 25.7%
--Diphenylamine: 0.5%
--Potassium Nitrate: 8.7%
Overall length (w/o fuze): 23.7 inches
Length of tail fin assembly: 6.7
Maximum diameter at bourrelet: 120mm
Maximum diameter at tail fins: 120mm

Color:
Black overall with a red nose tip and a yellow band before the bourrelet.

Fuzing:
Type 100 instantaneous short delay mortar fuze

Used in:
Type 97 150mm smoothbore mortar

Description:
Except for its shorter size, this projectile is similar in construction to the Type 96 H.E. long round.
Note. By long round, I believe they meant the previous entry.




32cm Spigot Type Mortar

Weight of complete round: 737 lbs
Weight of nose section, loaded: 172 lbs
Weight of center section, loaded: 215 lbs
Weight of tail section, loaded: 350 lbs
Weight of main charge: 103 lbs
Explosive components:
-Main charge: TNT
-Booster: P.E.T.N.
-Propellant: Black powder and nitrocellulose
Overall length (w/o fuze): 61 inches
Lenght of nose section (less threaded portion): 13.75 inches
Length of center section (less threaded portion): 10.92 inches
Length of tail section (less threaded portion): 36.31 inches
Body diameter: 320mm
Inside diameter of tail section: 257mm
Maximum diameter of tail fins: 641mm
Length of tail fins: 21.4 inches

Color:
The projectile is painted black overall with a red nose tip and a yellow band around the rear of the nose section

Fuzing:
Type 98 interior fuze

Used in:
Special spigot-type projector

Description:
The projectile, which resembles a bomb, is made in three parts:
-The nose section is ogival in shape and is externally threaded at its base to screw into the center section and is internally threaded to receive a steel base plate. It has a booster cup fitted with a fuze adapter screwed into the nose.
-The center section is a short cylinder, solid on the base and threaded externally to screw into the tail section. It is closed at the forward end, with a steel plate having a fuze adapter ring, fitted with a booster cup, welded in its center.
-The tail section screws onto the center section and has a gradual taper toward the rear from a point 14.5 inches below the forward end. It is hollowed out to fit over the projector tub. Four sheet-steel tail fins, each braced by two stabilizing wires, are welded to the tail section.

For convenience in handling and assembling, steel bands, each fitted with two double handles, are provided. Before the firing of the projectile, the carrying bands are removed. The propellant charge is place in a brass pot which fits into the recessed potion of the projector tube. The charge is contained in a cardboard container having a brass flash tube passing through its vertical axis, through the brass pot, and being screwed into the spigot. There is a drilled and tapped hole near the forward end of the tail section of the projectile into which the igniter tube screws. When in position, the end of the igniter tube is in close proximity to the end of the brass flash tube which leads into the propellant charge.