| kurzer 8 cm Granatwerfer 42 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Mortar |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Nazi Germany |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Rheinmetall |
| Designed | 1940–41 |
| Produced | 1941–45 |
| No. built | 1,591[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 30 kg (66 lb) (travel) 26.5 kg (58 lb) (combat) |
| Barrel length | 747 mm (29.4 in) |
| Shell weight | 3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz) |
| Caliber | 81.4 mm (3.20 in) |
| Elevation | 40° to 90° |
| Traverse | 14° to 34° |
| Rate of fire | 15−25 rpm |
| Maximum firing range | 1.1 km (0.68 mi) |
| References | [2] |
Thekurzer 8 cm Granatwerfer 42 (kz 8 cm GrW 42) was amortar used by Germany duringWorld War II. Nicknamed the"Stummelwerfer" (Stump-Thrower),[3] it was developed as a lightened version of the standard German8 cm GrW 34 medium mortar with a shorter barrel for use by paratroopers, but replaced the ineffective5 cm leGrW 36 as that weapon's shortcomings became apparent.
At the start of World War II, the5 cm Granatwerfer 36 was the standard light mortar of theGerman Army. Its performance was considered lackluster, specially given the overly complicated design, which included a telescopic sight (eventually dropped) and levelling and elevation controls. After 1942, the GrW 36 was gradually withdrawn from frontline service with the Army andWaffen SS in favor of the GrW 42, which was originally intended for use byFallschirmjäger and special forces.[2][4]
The GrW 42 was a shorter and lighter version of the8 cm Granatwerfer 34, which fired 8 cm (3.1 in) ammunition and was based on theStokes mortar with a few modifications.[5] While the short barrel inevitably decreased range, the heavier bomb provided extra firepower in comparison to the 5 cm (2.0 in) mortar. It could be broken down in three loads. The GrW 42 was normally drop fired, but a lanyard-operated mechanism could be fitted over the muzzle, allowing crews to take cover or fire the weapon from ambush positions. Minimum fire range was 50 m (160 ft) while the maximum range was 1,100 m (1,200 yd),[6] about half of the 8 cm GrW 34.[7]
According to military historianIan V. Hogg, the GrW 42 was about the smallest size that a medium mortar could be reduced while still being able to fire a standard-sized bomb.[7] According to Rottman, the mortar nominal caliber was 8 cm, it actually fired 81 mm (3.2 in) bombs and could fire US ammunition.[3]