8 cm Granatwerfer 34

8 cm Granatwerfer 34
A GrW 34 at the Festung Hohensalzburg
Type Mortar
Place of origin Nazi Germany
Service history
Used by Nazi Germany
Bulgaria
Wars World War II
Production history
Designed 1922–1933
Produced 1934–1945
Variants 8 cm GrW 34/1
Specifications
Weight 62 kg (136.6 lbs)
steel barrel
57 kg (125.6 lbs)
alloy barrel
Barrel length 1.14 m (3 ft 9 in)[1]
Shell 3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz)
Caliber 81.4 mm (3.20 in)
Elevation 45° to 90°
Traverse 10° to 23°[1]
Rate of fire 15-25 rpm
Muzzle velocity 174 m/s (571 ft/s)
Effective firing range 400–1,200 m (440–1,310 yd)
Maximum firing range 2.4 km (1.5 mi)[1]

The 8 cm Granatwerfer 34 (8 cm GrW 34) was the standard German infantry mortar throughout World War II.[2] It was noted for its accuracy and rapid rate of fire.

History

The weapon was of conventional design and broke down into three loads (smooth bore barrel, bipod, baseplate) for transport.[2] Attached to the bipod were a traversing handwheel and a cross-leveling handwheel below the elevating mechanism.[3] A panoramic sight was mounted on the traversing mechanism yoke for fine adjustments. A line on the tube could be used for rough laying.[4]

The 8 cm GrW 34/1 was an adaptation for use in self-propelled mountings. A lightened version with a shorter barrel was put into production as the kurzer 8 cm Granatwerfer 42.

The mortar employed conventional 8 cm 3.5 kg shells (high explosive or smoke) with percussion fuzes. The range could be extended by fitting up to three additional powder charges between the shell tailfins.[4]

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

References

  1. 1 2 3 Chamberlain, Peter (1975). Mortars and rockets. Gander, Terry. New York: Arco Pub. Co. ISBN 0668038179. OCLC 2067459.
  2. 1 2 German Infantry Weapons. United States War Department. May 25, 1943. p. 102.
  3. ↑ German Infantry Weapons. United States War Department. May 25, 1943. pp. 103–104.
  4. 1 2 US War Department, Military Intelligence Service; Special series no. 14 (May 25, 1943). German Infantry Weapons. Washington: US Government Printing Office. pp. 102–112.

Sources

  • Gander, Terry and Chamberlain, Peter. Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces 1939-1945. New York: Doubleday, 1979 ISBN 0-385-15090-3
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