Nebelwurfgerät

The ''Nebelwurfgerät'' was a turret mounted launcher used to disperse the ''Schnellnebelkerze'' 39 smoke grenade. It was typically found on German tanks from 1942 through 1943.

Operation

The ''Nebelwurfgerät'' was mounted in two sets of three, one on each forward side wall of the turret with each launcher being in calibre by in length. The uppermost launcher tubes were oriented forward and angled slightly outwards while the middle and lower tubes were set on a progressively lower elevation but increasing angle. Six smoke grenades were carried, one in each launcher tube. They were ejected out of each tube by Zündschraube C 23 primer which was electrically fired from six push-buttons labeled ''Nebelkerzen'', these buttons being grouped in two sets of three, located in the turret to the left and right of the commander's position and forward of his cupola. No spare smoke grenades, primers or launcher tubes were carried.

Starting in August 1942, Wegmann prepared turrets for installation by welding mounting brackets to the turret sides and drilling holes for the wiring so that the troops could mount the device by themselves. Complete ''Nebelwurfgerät'' were mounted by the assembly plants starting in October 1942. During a reported action in February 1943, enemy small arms fire had inadvertently set off the smoke grenades inside their launcher tubes resulting in the temporary blinding and incapacitation of the tank crew. Because of this hazard, the ''Nebelwurfgerät'' was no longer mounted after June 1943 and this device was eventually supplanted by the ''Nahverteidigungswaffe''.

Gallery

Image:Sd.Kfz 234-2 side view.jpg, Sd.Kfz. 234 equipped with the ''Nebelwurfgerät''
Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-090-3915-18A, Russland, Soldat im Panzerturm.jpg, Panzer II "Luchs" tank equipped with the ''Nebelwurfgerät''
Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-219-0595-20, Russland-Mitte-Süd, Panzer III in Fahrt.jpg, Panzer III tank equipped with the ''Nebelwurfgerät'' behind the ''Schürzen''
Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-308-0799Q-11A, Italien, Panzer III, Tarnung.jpg, Panzer III tank equipped with the Nebelwurfgerät.
Image:Sd.Kfz 142-1.jpg, StuG III assault gun equipped with the ''Nebelwurfgerät''
Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1969-105-05, Krieg im Osten, Nachschub.jpg, StuG III assault gun equipped with the ''Nebelwurfgerät''
Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-175-1264-06, Griechenland, Transport von Panzer IV mit Eisenbahn.jpg, Panzer IV tank equipped with the ''Nebelwurfgerät''
Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-175-1266-05A, Griechenland, Panzer IV.jpg, Panzer IV tank equipped with the ''Nebelwurfgerät''
Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-175-1268-06A, Griechenland, Panzer IV.jpg, Panzer IV tank equipped with the ''Nebelwurfgerät''
Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-087-3675A-18A, Russland, Panzer IV.jpg, Panzer IV tank equipped with the Nebelwurfgerät behind the ''Schürzen''.
Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-618-3945-20A.jpg, Panther & Tiger I tanks equipped with the Nebelwurfgerät.
Image:Sd.Kfz 181.jpg, Tiger I tank equipped with the Nebelwurfgerät.

See also

* ''Nebelkerzenabwurfvorrichtung''
* ''Minenabwurfvorrichtung''
* ''Nahverteidigungswaffe''

Notes

References

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External links

*http://tiger1.info/EN/Smoke-grenades.html
*http://www.tigertank181.com/53_Gun_and_ammunition.htm
*http://panther1944.de/index.php/en/sdkfz-171-pzkpfwg-panther/technik/nebelkerzen-wurfgeraet

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World War II weapons of Germany
Armoured fighting vehicle equipment
Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1942