Nebbelwerfer vs Katiushka
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- Teddy Wisch
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Nebbelwerfer vs Katiushka
That's the question. Which one was better?
- Jason Long
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Nebelwerfer vs. Katyusha
Das Reich is wrong. The smallest German Nebelwerfer to enter wide-spread service was 15cm with the larger calibers being 21cm, 28cm and 32cm. The bulk of the Soviet rockets were either 132mm or 82mm with some 30cm ones as well.
The chief advantage of the smaller Soviet weapons was they were much more thorough in covering an area compared to the larger Geman weapons. And their much greater mobility.
Jason
The chief advantage of the smaller Soviet weapons was they were much more thorough in covering an area compared to the larger Geman weapons. And their much greater mobility.
Jason
One also has to take into account reloading- the Nebelwerfer, being a ground mount weapon, was very easy to reload, while I'd think that the high-mounted (on a truck) Katyusha wouldn't be nearly so easy.
Further, the Katyusha rockets were typical simple Soviet technology- not particularly reliable, accurate, etc.- the Nebelwerfer rockets were typical German technology- very reliable, and particularly effective.
I think the comparison also has to take into account the 'Stuka zu Fuß'- 32cm Nebelwerfer rockets mounted on a SPW halftrack- I'd say was rather more effective than a Katyusha. Mobile, armored and of good design. The rockets' transport 'crate' was also the launch platform, so firing and reloading was quite easy.
It's my understanding that the Katyusha HAD to be employed in fair numbers and to shoot a lot of rockets simply because it was so inaccurate and that the rockets weren't excessively reliable.
Matt
Further, the Katyusha rockets were typical simple Soviet technology- not particularly reliable, accurate, etc.- the Nebelwerfer rockets were typical German technology- very reliable, and particularly effective.
I think the comparison also has to take into account the 'Stuka zu Fuß'- 32cm Nebelwerfer rockets mounted on a SPW halftrack- I'd say was rather more effective than a Katyusha. Mobile, armored and of good design. The rockets' transport 'crate' was also the launch platform, so firing and reloading was quite easy.
It's my understanding that the Katyusha HAD to be employed in fair numbers and to shoot a lot of rockets simply because it was so inaccurate and that the rockets weren't excessively reliable.
Matt
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate- "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily'' William of Ockham
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate- "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily'' William of Ockham
Matt,
You are correct that the Katyusha was not that accurate, however I would question whether it was ever designed to be. Instead Russians used them for heavy area bombardment and this had great psychological impact on enemy forces. While the Nebelwerfer's accuracy was better, it was far from perfect.
You bring up a good point in respect to the loading of the weapon and I agree that this was an advantage of the Nebelwerfer. However, Nebelwerfer positions were easy to spot and thus an inviting target for enemy artillery and mobility was definitely inferior to the truck mounted Katyusha.
Regards,
Christian
You are correct that the Katyusha was not that accurate, however I would question whether it was ever designed to be. Instead Russians used them for heavy area bombardment and this had great psychological impact on enemy forces. While the Nebelwerfer's accuracy was better, it was far from perfect.
You bring up a good point in respect to the loading of the weapon and I agree that this was an advantage of the Nebelwerfer. However, Nebelwerfer positions were easy to spot and thus an inviting target for enemy artillery and mobility was definitely inferior to the truck mounted Katyusha.
Regards,
Christian
Oh, indeed I agree the Katyusha was never intended to be anything more than an area-saturation weapon- that's partly what I meant about Soviet technology- mass over quality (or in this case, accuracy). Certainly the Nebelwerfer wasn't supremely accurate either, but that's a drawback inherent in a rotation-stabilized 'dumb' rocket. They were also area-saturation weapons, but were rather more accurate and thus effective.
As for being easy to locate, I'd think that the fairly compact size of a Nebelwerfer would make it fairly easy to move- not as quick to drive away as a Katyusha, to be sure, but it's certainly fairly easy. Granted the HUGE plume of smoke that make it aptly named, did probably advertise its position better than a billboard would have Actually, that's why I pointed out the SPW- a weapon system that's more reasonable to compare to the Katyusha is definitely superior.
I'd say that for psychological effect, the Katyusha wins out because of its inaccuracy, and the fact that it was fielded in such huge numbers, but for actual effect, the Nebelwerfer wins- its rockets were extremely devestating- even the concussion being lethal.
In equal numbers, I'd rather have the Nebelwerfer, but then I've always thought they were one of the COOLEST weapons the Wehrmacht had
Matt
As for being easy to locate, I'd think that the fairly compact size of a Nebelwerfer would make it fairly easy to move- not as quick to drive away as a Katyusha, to be sure, but it's certainly fairly easy. Granted the HUGE plume of smoke that make it aptly named, did probably advertise its position better than a billboard would have Actually, that's why I pointed out the SPW- a weapon system that's more reasonable to compare to the Katyusha is definitely superior.
I'd say that for psychological effect, the Katyusha wins out because of its inaccuracy, and the fact that it was fielded in such huge numbers, but for actual effect, the Nebelwerfer wins- its rockets were extremely devestating- even the concussion being lethal.
In equal numbers, I'd rather have the Nebelwerfer, but then I've always thought they were one of the COOLEST weapons the Wehrmacht had
Matt
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate- "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily'' William of Ockham
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate- "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily'' William of Ockham
Quite true Gubra- that's the 15cm Panzerwerfer 42 auf (SdKfz 4/1) Maultier- a half-track mounting a 15cm 10-tube Nebelwerfer on a rotating mount. It was actually superceded by the 15cm Panzerwerfer 42 (Zehnling) auf sWS- this vehicle had more ammunition storage capacity and better cross-country performance. Unfortunately, I have NO idea how many of either were produced, but the number probably wasn't particularly high.
Matt
Matt
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate- "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily'' William of Ockham
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate- "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily'' William of Ockham
- DeBaer
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well there are numbers for the Maultier mounted:
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3620/sdkfz41.htm
and theres the total number of sws built:
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3620/sws.htm
only 825 sws total, and it says that only a small number was fit with the nebelwerfer, so it would be around 40 or something i guess.
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3620/sdkfz41.htm
and theres the total number of sws built:
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3620/sws.htm
only 825 sws total, and it says that only a small number was fit with the nebelwerfer, so it would be around 40 or something i guess.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Sven
-
terras licet et undas obstruat at caelum certe patet
Sven
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terras licet et undas obstruat at caelum certe patet
Thanks Sven- as I suspected, only a tiny number compared to the number of Katyusha built. Then again, the Katyusha was just a regular truck with a few rails added to the back... like something you'd see 'bodged' together on Junkyard Wars actually
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate- "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily'' William of Ockham
Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate- "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily'' William of Ockham
- Christian Ankerstjerne
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