Granatwerfer 36
Encyclopedia
The 5cm leichter Granatwerfer 36 (5 cm leGrW 36) was a light mortar
used by Nazi Germany
during World War II
.
and it was adopted for service in 1936. Its intended role was to engage pockets of resistance that were beyond hand grenade throwing range. Until 1938, it used a complicated telescopic sight. By 1941, the Granatwerfer 36 was seen as too complex for its intended role. It fired too light a bomb and had too short a range. It was used as a platoon mortar operated by a 3-man section. Production was terminated in 1941. It was gradually withdrawn from front line service by 1942, but available mortars
remained in use until 1945 with second-line and garrison units until the end of hostilities in 1945. As supplies of the Granatwerfer 36 dwindled during 1944-1945, the Germans often relied on captured French and Soviet 50 mm mortars. Still, the 50 mm continued to be popular for the remainder of the war, simply by the fact that it was easily transported by two men, and it provided the Infantry
with a hitting power and range capability greater than any other weapon readily available at the squad or section level.
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
used by Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
History
Development started in 1934 by Rheinmetall-Borsig AGRheinmetall
Rheinmetall AG is a German automotive and defence company with factories in Düsseldorf, Kassel and Unterlüß. The company has a long tradition of making guns and artillery pieces...
and it was adopted for service in 1936. Its intended role was to engage pockets of resistance that were beyond hand grenade throwing range. Until 1938, it used a complicated telescopic sight. By 1941, the Granatwerfer 36 was seen as too complex for its intended role. It fired too light a bomb and had too short a range. It was used as a platoon mortar operated by a 3-man section. Production was terminated in 1941. It was gradually withdrawn from front line service by 1942, but available mortars
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
remained in use until 1945 with second-line and garrison units until the end of hostilities in 1945. As supplies of the Granatwerfer 36 dwindled during 1944-1945, the Germans often relied on captured French and Soviet 50 mm mortars. Still, the 50 mm continued to be popular for the remainder of the war, simply by the fact that it was easily transported by two men, and it provided the Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
with a hitting power and range capability greater than any other weapon readily available at the squad or section level.