21 cm Nebelwerfer 42

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	Weapon: 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: Germany Caliber: 21cm Rocket Action: Multiple Launch Rocket System

The 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 was a heavy multiple rocket launcher developed by Germany during World War II, designed to provide artillery support with a powerful barrage effect. It fired 210 mm (21 cm) rockets from a six-barrel configuration, delivering high-explosive payloads over a range of approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles). This weapon was an evolution of the Nebelwerfer series, originally developed for launching smoke shells (as "Nebel" means fog or smoke in German) but adapted for explosive firepower to support infantry and armored units in offensive and defensive operations.

Production of the 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 began in 1942, with several thousand units manufactured throughout the war. Due to its significant destructive capability, the Nebelwerfer 42 became a key element in German artillery units, with each salvo able to saturate target areas and disrupt enemy formations. Although powerful, the rocket launcher had limitations, including its considerable weight and the backblast from launching, which required careful positioning and often revealed its location to enemy forces.

Known for the distinctive "howling" sound made by its rockets, the 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 instilled fear among Allied troops and became infamous as a psychological weapon on the battlefield. The shockwave and visual impact of its rockets created both physical and psychological disruption, but its effectiveness was reduced by its need for frequent repositioning and vulnerability to counter-battery fire. Despite these challenges, the Nebelwerfer 42 remains one of the most recognized German artillery pieces from World War II, remembered for its potent combination of firepower and psychological impact.