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The Panzerwerfer 42, the German Katyusha

The Panzerwerfer 42, also known as the Sd.Kfz. 4/1, was a German multiple rocket launcher from World War II that stood out for its combination of firepower and mobility. It was developed on the chassis of the “Maultier” half-track, a modified version of the Opel Blitz truck, to improve its ability to maneuver in difficult terrain. The vehicle was equipped with a 15 cm Nebelwerfer 42, capable of firing up to ten rockets simultaneously. These rockets, with a range of approximately 7,000 meters, could carry explosive, smoke, or incendiary payloads.

The Panzerwerfer 42 in the Musée de Blindes in Saumur (Source)

Development

The “Panzerwerfer 42” was the answer to the Russian Katyusha because the existing “Raketenwerfer 41” rocket launchers that the Wehrmacht had already used were too inaccurate and inefficient than the Katyusha. This is why the development of an improved rocket launcher with the mobility of the “Maultier” was a half-track vehicle to get around in difficult terrain. For the necessary protection against small arms and artillery splinters, the “Panzerwerfer 42” was given 8–10 mm thick armor as well as the improved “Raketenwerfer 42” as a turret which contains ten launch tubes, which are able to rotate 360 ​​degrees. However, this also had shortcomings—due to its high weight, it exceeded the maximum load capacity of the “Maultier”, which is why they were often underpowered. At the same time, an ammunition carrier was designed based on the carrier of the “Panzerwerfer 42” which was able to be temporarily converted into a launcher if an actual launcher failed due to destruction or mechanical failure. In a relatively short time, the turret could be removed by the crew and transferred to the ammunition vehicle, which then took over the role of the failed launcher.

The “Raketenwerfer 41”, also known as the “Nebelwerfer” (source)
The “Panzerwerfer 42” in Saumur (Source)

The “Panzerwerfer 42” was powered by a 3.6-liter six-cylinder petrol engine from Opel, enabling a top speed of 40 km/h and had a range of 140 km. The crew consisted of four members who operated the vehicle and reloaded the launcher. The “Panzerwerfer 42” was 6.02 m long, 2.26 m wide, and 2.17 m high. It weighed up to 7.1 tons depending on the load and armament. As already mentioned, it had the ten-barreled 15 cm “Raketenwerfer 42”, which had a range of 6.9 kilometers, and had the option of mounting an MG 42 above the driver’s cab for self-defense.

Mission

The Panzerwerfer saw extensive use on both the Eastern Front and the Western Front. Its primary role was to bombard enemy positions, artillery emplacements, and troop concentrations. With its high firepower and mobility, it could deliver devastating damage in a short amount of time, often demoralizing opposing forces. It played a significant role during the Battle of Kursk in 1943 as part of Germany’s artillery support. It was also employed in defensive operations against the Allied invasion in Normandy and during the Ardennes Offensive in 1944/45. The half-track’s mobility proved especially advantageous in challenging terrain, such as the muddy and snowy conditions often encountered on the Eastern Front and the Winter War.

Despite its effectiveness, the Panzerwerfer had several limitations. Its light armor made it vulnerable to artillery and air strikes, and its relatively low production numbers—only 296 launcher and 251 ammunition carrier vehicles—limited its availability. This was primarily due to resource shortages and shifting production priorities within Germany’s war industry during the final years of the war from February 1943 until March 1944.

Two German Wehrmacht soldiers reload a PZW 42 in Lapland 1944 Finland (Source)

Preserved copies

Today, there are hardly any Panzerwerfer 42s left. One particularly well-preserved and operational example is on display in the French Tank Museum in Saumur and offers visitors a rare insight into the development and use of rocket weapons in World War II.

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