18 cm Gaswerfer

Go Back to Chemical Weapons Launcher

Go Back To Weapons Home

	Weapon: 18 cm Gaswerfer Type: Chemical Weapons Launcher Country of Origin: Germany Year Adopted: 1916 Caliber: 180mm Action: Chemical Mortar Overall Length (mm): 1800.0 Overall Length (in): 70.87 Weight (kg): 60.00 Weight (pounds): 132.28 Effective Range (m): 2000 m Effective Range (yards): 2187.23

The 18 cm Gaswerfer was a German chemical mortar developed during World War I for the purpose of delivering gas attacks against enemy positions. It was designed as a simple yet effective means of launching gas-filled shells over short to medium distances, allowing German forces to deploy chemical agents such as chlorine, phosgene, or mustard gas with greater accuracy than earlier methods like gas clouds released from cylinders. The mortar consisted of a reinforced metal tube mounted on a sturdy base, using black powder charges to propel the gas shells towards enemy trenches. Its design emphasized ease of use and rapid deployment, making it a preferred method for chemical attacks.

The 18 cm Gaswerfer was introduced around 1916 and saw service throughout the later years of World War I. While exact production figures remain unclear, it was manufactured in significant numbers and deployed in conjunction with other chemical warfare weapons, such as traditional artillery-delivered gas shells. German forces utilized the Gaswerfer in multiple offensives on the Western Front, including during the battles of the Somme and Passchendaele, where chemical warfare played a major role in breaking enemy defenses. Its relatively lightweight construction allowed for greater mobility compared to larger artillery pieces, enabling German units to position and fire gas projectiles with tactical flexibility.

The notoriety of the 18 cm Gaswerfer stems from its role in one of the most controversial aspects of World War I-chemical warfare. Although chemical weapons were initially seen as a way to overcome the stalemate of trench warfare, their horrific effects led to widespread condemnation. Following the war, the use of chemical weapons was restricted under the Geneva Protocol of 1925, effectively ending the deployment of weapons like the Gaswerfer in modern warfare. Today, surviving examples and documentation of the 18 cm Gaswerfer serve as historical reminders of the brutal nature of early 20th-century warfare and the lasting impact of chemical weapons on international military policy.