Rui Esteves wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2008 2:07 am
Operation Barbarossa, showed the Germans the major use of mobile rocket platforms, from that, the Germans started to use captured French chassis with captured French/Soviet weapons in different kinds of rocket artillery. After that, it starts using the German equipment.
It will be interesting to know the production/delivery stats, unit assignments. And also the strengths and losses of this kind of vehicles. (Mainly in the major battles, such, Kharkov, Zitadelle, Normandy, Ardennes)
With my researches, i found this out:
> Multiple rocket launchers
(Panzerwerfer 42 - 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 rockets)
15 cm Panzerwerfer 42 (Sf) auf Sd.Kfz.4/1, based on the Opel Maultier
15 cm Panzerwerfer 42 (Sf) auf schwerer Wehrmachtsschlepper, based on the sWS
15 cm Panzerwerfer 42 (Sf) auf m.gep Zgkw. S303 (f), based on the Somua MCL
15 cm Panzerwerfer 42 (Sf) auf m.gep Zgkw. Somua S307 (f), based on the Somua MCG
(Vielfachwerfer - Soviet 8 cm BM-8 rockets)
8 cm Vielfachwerfer auf m.gep.Zgkw. Somua S303 (f), based on the Somua MCL
8 cm Vielfachwerfer auf m.gep.Zgkw. Somua S307 (f), based on the Somua MCG
8 cm Vielfachwerfer auf m.gep.Zgkw. U305(f), based on the Unic TU1
> Multiple rocket projector launchers
(Wurfrahmen - 28 cm/32 cm Wurfkoerper rockets)
Sd.Kfz. 251/1 mit Wurfrahmen 40
28/32 cm Wurfrahmen (Sf) auf Infanterie-Schlepper UE (f), based on the Renault UE
28/32 cm Wurfrahmen (Sf) auf PzKpfw 35H (f), based on the Hotchkiss H35
28/32 cm Wurfrahmen (Sf) auf PzKpfw 38H (f), based on the Hotchkiss H38
28/32 cm Wurfrahmen (Sf) auf PzKpfw 39H (f), based on the Hotchkiss H39
> Tiered mortar launchers
(Reihenwerfer - French 8 cm Brandt mortars)
8 cm Reihenwerfer auf m.gep.Zgkw. Somua S303 (f), based on the Somua MCL
8 cm Reihenwerfer auf m.gep.Zgkw. Somua S307 (f), based on the Somua MCG
(Granatwerfer – 8 cm GrW34 mortar)
Sd.Kfz. 250/7 leichter Granatwerferwagen
Sd.Kfz. 251/2 mittlerer Granatwerferwagen
8 cm Granatwerfer auf leSPW U304 (f), based on the Unic-Kégresse P107
8 cm Granatwerfer auf PzKpfw 35R 731 (f), based on the Renault R35 and R40
8 cm Granatwerfer auf PzKpfw 38H 735 (f), based on the Hotchkiss H38
8 cm Granatwerfer auf Panzerspähwagen AMR35 (f), based on the AMR-35
> Multiple anti-tank rockets launchers
(Raketenpanzerbusche – 8.8 cm RPzB 43/54)
8.8 cm Panzerjäger Borgward B IVc Ausführung mit Raketenpanzerbüchse 54, based on the Borgward B IV
8.8 cm Panzerjäger Bren 731 (e), based on the Universal Bren Gun Carrier
8.8 cm Panzerjäger Bren 732 (e), based on the Universal Scout Carrier
Sd.Kfz. 251 (8.8 cm RPzB 43/54)
Volkswagen Kübelwagen (8.8 cm RPzB 43/54)
I know also, that the Vielfachwerfers were mainly used by Waffen-SS, the Granatwerfers were used by the Panzergrenadiers, the Wurfrahmens were mostly employed by the Panzer-Pioneres and Panzer-Zerstörergruppen used the 8.8 cm Panzerjäger Bren 731/732 (e).
Rui Esteves