38 cm schwerer Ladungswerfer

The 38 cm schwerer Ladungswerfer (38 cm sLdgW) was a spigot mortar used by Germany during World War II. It was used by engineers to demolish obstacles and strongpoints. It proved to be too heavy for its role and it was gradually withdrawn from front-line service.

38 cm schwerer Ladungswerfer
TypeSpigot Mortar
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
Used byNazi Germany
WarsSecond World War
Production history
DesignerRheinmetall
Specifications
Mass1,600 kg (3,500 lb)
Barrel length168 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Diameter38 cm (1 ft 3 in)

Shell149 kilograms (328 lb)
Caliber169 millimetres (6.7 in) (spigot diameter)
Elevation37° to 85°
Traverse360°
Maximum firing range1,000 m (1,100 yd)
Filling weight110 pounds (50 kg)

Propellant was placed at the top of the spigot and ignited when the projectile slid far enough down the spigot to complete the electrical circuit. The spigot mortar was mounted on a traversing bracket on a drum-shaped platform that was staked to the ground. It fired HE and smoke rounds.

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Sources

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  • 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