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"German Roving Guns" from Tactical and Technical Trends

The following U.S. military report on German Nebelwerfer in Sicily was published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 46, May 1, 1944.

[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]
 

GERMAN ROVING GUNS

In Sicily, the Germans employed a number of the large, six-barreled Nebelwerfer rocket guns, which could be moved to new positions very quickly after firing. Although their location could be detected by the immense flash, it was found, frequently, that a gun's position had been changed immediately after the flash was observed. For previous reference to these guns see Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 45, p. 19.

An observer, reporting on these rocket guns, said:

"Attack on the Nebelwerfer, because of the fleeting nature of the target, demands special attention. The gun can limber up and move out of position within three minutes after firing. This speed of withdrawal demands either a very rapid adjustment and immediate fire for effect or else adjustment on a point 400 or 500 yards away and a surprise transfer going into effect immediately. The use of speed and surprise is the only way to catch the Nebelwerfer in position where you can hit it.

"Similar tactics are necessary in dealing with self-propelled roving guns. Because these weapons can fire for a short time and then change position, they are difficult to locate. Alert, energetic observers, and quick transfers from check points within limits to insure surprise, and sudden fire for effect are the best means of dealing with roving guns."

 
 


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