German Mortars (Minenwerfer) of WW1 cont'd

from "The Mortar" by WL Ruffell

In 1916 a heavier version of the 25-cm minenwerfer was produced weighing 770 kg (1693 lbs) which fired the longer (94 kg) projectile up to 1000 metres (1094 yards).

The 7.6-cm minenwerfer, shown in Fig. 19A differed from both the 25-cm and 17-cm in its ammunition and method of firing. The projectile was fitted with a pre-engraved driving band like the heavy types, but unlike them also carried the propellant charge and means of ignition in a cavity in its base as in Fig. 19B. This feature was possibly copied from the Stokes.

German 7.6-cm minenwerfer. Army Memorial Museum, Waiouru, New Zealand. Weight in action: 100 kg (220 lbs) Rate of fire: 20 rpm Range: 300-1000 m (328-1094 yds) Elevation: 45°-74° Number of propellant charges: 5 Number of grooves in rifling: 6 Number in detachment: 6, who towed the mortar by dragropes.
Standard HE shell, showing method of firing	Figure 19

As the barrel was extremely short, and the rifling would not permit the shell to be dropped with force sufficient to fire the primary cartridge, a simple firing mechanism was provided in the breech for that purpose.

Projectiles included HE, gas, and a special message shell designed to burst in the air over the addressee's position when all other means of delivering it had failed.

A heavier version was produced in 1916 weighing 142 kg (312 lbs) with a maximum range of 1300 m (1422 yards). With the advent of tanks in 1917 some minenwerfer were modified to fire horizontally. As a short-range piece of trench artillery the minenwerfer was very efficient and was widely used throughout World War 1.

Light Minenerfer on flat trajectory carriage for mobile use. Max. range: 955 yards. Weight in action: 550 lbs.

Return to top

Index    |   Previous   |   Next
History Page    |    Old Comrades' Home Page    |    Wally Ruffell