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5cm leichte Granatwerfer 36 (leGrW 36)

1936 WORLD WAR 2

History

The 5 cm Granatwerfer 36 (abbreviated "leGrW 36") was the standard light mortar used by the German Army in the early days of World War II. Fighting aircraft instead, creating an overly complex and heavy system with limited range, which proved to be disadvantageous for resource-constrained Germany in the middle and later stages of the war.

In the end, the leGrW 36 had a limited existence and was eventually replaced by cheaper weapons and transferred to second-line units. leGrW 36 was used by Nazi Germany, Bulgaria and Slovakia.

During the two world wars after the First World War, Germany had a certain advantage. The idea of ??rearmament crossed the minds of the German authorities at a time when other countries' militaries were downsizing and the whole world was tired of war.

The German standing army had largely disintegrated by the end of hostilities, but the rise of the new Germany meant the country had little qualms about reviving a new, modern army from scratch. Attempts by the free world to contain this growth ultimately failed, as Hitler and his subordinates quickly circumvented all international restrictions at will, ensuring that World War II was imminent.

Thus, general thinking about weapons development in this period often combined necessity with novel concepts, often resulting in complex systems beyond the scope of the economy of war.

With rearmament, a light 50mm infantry mortar system is required to complement troop operations. The German company Rheinmetall-Borsig AG designed the new leGrW 36 (light grenade launcher 36) from 1934 on the basis of other ideas. The launch tube is attached to the base plate, while the rail support comes from a simple monopod assembly.

In contrast, most mortar systems use a separate base plate attached to the launch tube, with an included bipod assembly for support. A range of lateral controls have been integrated into the base plate itself, and a telescopic sight has been added to improve accuracy at long distances. Thanks to the integrated handle, the leGrW 36 is also quite portable by an infantryman, although the overall weight of the small system is somewhat underwhelming (just over 30 pounds). The firing action is achieved through the use of the trigger, as opposed to the firing pin common in other light mortar designs. As an added bonus, the leGrW 36 is designed to fire almost instantlyall the operator has to do is lower the system, adjust the bank and elevation, and insert the 1.98-pound projectile into the launch tube.

Interestingly, the leGrW 36 is designed to fire only HE (High Explosive) projectiles and no more. Instead, most other mortar weapons use smoke, illumination, and incendiary bombs to take full advantage of this front-line weapon.

The projectile itself has a teardrop shape, with a tapered base adorned with eight smaller stabilizing fins.

The weapon fires a 50mm TNT projectile at a muzzle velocity of 246 feet per second at a minimum range of 55 yards and a maximum range of 558 yards. The operator can adjust the trajectory of the mortar from 42 degrees to 90 degrees, even when traversing.

A well-trained two-person team can fire 15 to 25 rounds per minute.

The LeGrW 36 officially entered service with the German Army in 1936 and remained in service until 1945, although production ceased in 1941 in favor of a cheaper, more powerful system. In practice, this nifty little weapon proved too complicated for the useful task at hand. Both potential advantages were negated by German soldiers generally finding the weapon too complex to operate in the heat of battle, and when the system was transported under fire, the overall weight negated this.

The projectile itself was found to be too "light" to effectively perform its intended role. Wherever the mortar transporter goes, his ammunition transporter must follow, and the weight of the ammunition comes at a price.

Complicating matters, the leGrW 36 had a rather limited range compared to its contemporaries, meaning the novel scope was all but useless for drawing a simple line around the barrel itself, proving enough to help the operator aim the weapon. As a result, production of the telescopic sight ceased in 1938.

The leGrW 36 also relied on a complex construction using precious materials, making it a consumable for Germany that needed to cut down on the overly complex and expensive war gear that plagued its efforts. These restrictions frequently led German soldiers to call for and in most cases to support captured Soviet and French 50mm systems.

The leGrW 36 led a relatively short operational life. She was gradually removed from frontline service and those numbers already in circulation were passed down to second-line units, defensive units and some Italian forces in need of ranged firepower.

Some leGrW 36s were known to be in defensive action along Hitler's "Atlantic Wall" to the West.