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German

Gewehr Propaganda Granate: Propaganda Rifle Grenade

Gewehr Propaganda Granate: Propaganda Rifle GrenadeThis grenade which is used for propaganda purposes consists of a cylindrical steel body with a pre-rifled base and a removable ballistic cap. The base of the grenade contains a 9-second delay fuze and an ejecting charge covered by a cardboard disc to prevent moisture from causing deterioration. Leaflets are inserted in two steel packing covers held loosely inside the case, and then the case and cap are varnished to protect them from rust. On firing, the flash from the propelling cartridge ignites the fuze and approximately 9 seconds later the ejecting charge explodes, blowing off the cap and forcing the leaflets out of the nose of the projectile.

Overall length        5.7 ins.
Total weight 8 ozs.
Weight without leaflets 7 ozs.
Delay 9 sec.
Range 500 yds.

German: p. 318

Categories
German

Gross Gewehr Panzergranate: H.E.A.T. (Hollow Charge) Rifle Grenade

Gross Gewehr Panzergranate: H.E.A.T. (Hollow Charge) Rifle GrenadeThis grenade, while larger and of slightly different contour than that described on the preceding page, is basically the same in construction and operation. The body of pressed steel contains a steel cone around which the T.N.T. filler is cast, and at the bottom of the filler is an exploder pellet of penthrite wax. Two types of stem may be used, one entirely of light alloy and the other of plastic with a steel shank by which it is screwed onto the body. The booster assembly and the percussion type fuze are both located in the stem divided by a perforated septum which contains a small flash pellet. At the base of the stem is a rifled band which corresponds to the rifling on the discharger. The assembly is closed by a base plug.

Overall length       7 ins.
Maximum diameter1 3/4 ins.
ColorBlack overall
Total weight13 1/2 ozs.
Weight of filler4 1/2 ozs.
FillerT.N.T./Cyclonite
Range (maximum)100 yds.

German: p. 318

Categories
German

Gewehr Panzergranate: Antitank Rifle Grenade

Gewehr Panzergranate: Antitank Rifle GrenadeThe Gewehr Panzergranate is constructed in two parts, the head and the stem. The head, a seamless steel tube fitted with a light ballistic cap, contains a hollow charge cone and an explosive filling of T.N.T. A cavity is provided in the rear portion of the main filling to take an exploder of penthrite wax. The stem of light alloy or aluminum is screwed onto the head of the grenade. It is divided into two compartments. The upper portion contains the booster which consists of a detonator surrounded by a penthrite wax filling contained in a light alloy case. The percussion type fuze is located in the lower part of the stem. In the septum is a small flash pellet held in place by a perforated screw plug. A pre-engraved driving band is formed on the outside of the grenade approximately 1/4 inch fromn the base. The entire assembly is closed by a base plug which positions the fuze by a stem which fits into a recess in the rear of the striker body.

Overall length         6.4 ins.
Maximum diameter 1 3/16 ins.
Color Black body; aluminum stem
Total weight 8.8 ozs.
Filler T.N.T./Cyclonite
Weight of filler 1.75 ozs.
Range 50 yds.

German: p. 317

Categories
German

Gewehr-Sprenggranate: Antipersonnel Rifle or Hand Grenade

Gewehr-Sprenggranate: Antipersonnel Rifle or Hand GrenadeThis grenade consists of a tubular steel body containing an explosive filler of penthrite wax, a detonator, a direct action nose fuze, a delay friction igniter, and a base assembly containing a self-destroying system. A diaphragm near the bottom of the grenade is threaded centrally to receive the friction igniter. The fuze and base assemblies are not integral parts of the grenade, but are screwed into the nose and base respectively. If the nose fuze does not function properly, the grenade is self-destructive. On firing, the flash from the propelling cartridge enters a hole in the base closing plug and ignites a 6.5 second delay pellet contained in a brass holder. This fires the friction igniter which, gives an additional delay of 4.5 seconds before setting off the detonator. The grenade may also be used as a hand grenade by removing the base assembly and pulling a cord attached to the friction igniter.

Overall length        5.5 ins.
Maximum diameter 1.2 ins.
Color Black body; aluminum fuze and base
Total weight 9 ozs.
Explosive filler PETN/Wax
Weight of filler 1.1 oz.
Maximum range 550 yds.
Delay Self-destroying—11 sec.
  Friction igniter—4.5 sec.
  Impact—No delay

German: p. 317

Categories
German

PC 1000 Rs: Rocket-Propelled Bomb

PC 1000 Rs: Rocket-Propelled Bomb

The German 1,000 kg. (actual wt. 2,176 lb.) armor-piercing bomb (PC 1000 Rs) is a rocket-propelled type designed primarily for use against ships or similar targets The rocket, which is used to increase terminal velocity and armor penetration qualities of the bomb, consist of 19 sticks of propellant contained in a separate compartment at the base of the bomb. Gases generated by the propellant escape from the rocket container through six propulsion venturi tubes which are sealed with pitch until combustion is effected. The compartment is provided with a spring-loaded pressure release valve at the base. It is reported that the minimum height for release is 4,000 ft., and that the rocket burns for approximately three seconds after ignition, leaving a trail of flame 150 ft. long.

The bomb which is filled with alternate layers of good and poor quality TNT, and a very pure cast TNT in an aluminum container in the nose, is fuzed through the baseplate. A charging head, located in a distance piece between the bomb and the rocket container, has a junction box with connections leading to a pyrotechnic and an impact fuze through two pin plugs. These plugs are colored black and red respectively. The pyrotechnic fuze has a 2 1/2-second delay, and consists of an igniter bridge (which functions when an electrical impulse from the charging plate is received at the time of the bomb’s release), and a pyrotechnic train calculated to give a safe interval between the time of release and ignition of the rocket element.

The bomb fuze, of the electrical impact type, is also armed by the electrical impulse from the charging head.

There are three other bombs of the same general type: PC 500 Rs; a lighter version of the PC 1000 Rs; PC 1000 Rs Ex, for practice or experimental use (it has no main filling, no baseplate or bomb fuze and the weight is made up by the extra thickness of the bomb casing); and the PC 1800 Rs.

SPECIFICATIONS

Total weight       2,176 lbs.
Weight of case1,470 lbs.
Weight of explosive119 lbs.
Overall length7 ft., 2 3/4 ins.
Length of bomb3 ft., 9 ins.
Diameter of bomb1 ft., 3 1/2 ins.
Diameter of tail fins
   Large2 ft. 4 ins.
   Small1 ft., 10 ins.
Dimensions of Propellant
        6  22 1/2 ins. long x 2 15/16 ins. diameter
      12  20 7/8 ins. long x 2 15/16 ins. diameter
        1  11 1/4 ins. long x 2 15/16 ins. diameter
FillingT.N.T.
ColorSky-blue

German: p. 316

Categories
German

H. s. 293: Radio-Controlled Glider Bomb

Henschel Hs 293: Radio-Controlled Glider Bomb

The German high explosive bomb, H. s. 293, is a radio-controlled, jet-propelled glider, designed primarily for use against merchant ships and naval craft. It is usually released when the plane is in level flight at an altitude of from 3,000 to 5,000 feet, and at a distance of from 3 to 5 miles from the target. However, the bomb is not launched directly at the target, but is released during flight on a course parallel to that of the target. Upon release, the jet propulsion automatically goes into action, and thereafter the flight of the bomb is controlled from the airplane by radio. It is apparently aimed by eye alone and, as an aid to visibility, the tail is provided with flares and an electric lamp for night use.

H. s. 293 is made up of six main parts: the bomb which forms the forward part of the fuselage; the rear portion of the fuselage containing the radio control unit, a gyro, and a destructor; the jet propulsion unit (slung from the base of the bomb); the wings, or planes; the tail plane; and the tail tracer unit. The bomb case is of forged steel and is filled with approximately 600 pounds of 60/40 poured Amatol. A cylinder of compressed T.N.T. pellets lies in this filling, running forward from the fuze pocket. The control unit consists of a radio receiver, a motor generator, and a relay unit. A radio destruction device is located directly under the radio receiver and consists of a small charge with a clockwork fuze.

Propulsion is accomplished by means of a bi-liquid rocket unit. Wings and tail planes are of aerofoil section and the skin is of thin sheet alloy. Ailerons are provided for lateral control, and an elevator is concealed in the tail plane. Five flare candles burning consecutively make up the tail tracer unit.

SPECIFICATIONS

Overall length       148 ins.
Length of bomb 60 3/4 ins.
Diameter of bombV18 1/2 ins.
Total weight (approx.) 1,980 lbs.
Span of mainplanes 122 5/8 ins.
Span of tailplanes 43 3/4 ins.
Diameter of jet-propulsion unit (approx.) 12 ins.
Weight of bomb (approx.) 1,320 lbs.
Color Sky-blue

German: p. 315

Categories
German

17 cm Steel Cartridge Case, Spiral Design

17 cm Steel Cartridge Case, Spiral Design

This is a large caliber steel cartridge case of different design from those customarily used by the Germans. The body is a wound cylinder made of 0.084 inch thick sheet steel three and four turns thick and turned under at the base to fit into a base assembly. The base assembly is provided with a retaining plate, screwed collar, and a disc which seals the cartridge case and prevents the escape of gases through the base. The disc is of cardboard; all the other parts are of steel.

A shallow spiral groove, about 0.003 inch deep and .23 inch wide, is rolled into the inner surface of the body under such pressure as to show the marks of the groove on the outer surface of the case. A layer of black wax is used between the overlapping coils of the body to assist waterproofing. The upper surface of the cardboard disc is also covered with black wax. It appears that this case is manufactured by coiling the sheet approximately to shape, placing the body in a die and rolling to shape with an internal roller. The base, retaining plate, and screwed collar have completely machined surfaces. All the parts have a thin surface film of oxide for protection from corrosion. This is not completely effective.

The Vickers Diamond Hardness of the body increases from about 105 near the base to 133 near the mouth. It is approximately 222 across the base except in the primer boss where it is about 280. On the retaining plate the V. D. H. varies from 160 at the center to 172 on the rim. The screwed collar is 175 V. D. H.

German: p. 314

Categories
German

Cartridge Case for 10.5 cm Recoilless Gun

Cartridge Case for 10.5 cm Recoilless Gun

The German Recoilless Gun, versions of which are described on pages 110 and 119, operates without a recoil or counterrecoil mechanism. This is made possible by a design which allows the propelling gases to escape to the rear when the weapon is fired. This unusual design of brass coated steel cartridge case, which makes possible an unexpectedly long range for such a weapon, is provided with a primer in its side and a plastic base insert. This plastic base insert, 1.12 inch thick, momentarily withstands the pressure of the ignited propellant and then disintegrates, being blown out the rear of the weapon along with the released propellant gases.

The propelling charge and igniter are made up to suit side ignition. The propellant is contained in a cylindrical bag; the igniter bag is in the form of a cap, and fits over the end of the propellant bag. The igniter composition is contained in pockets formed between the outer fabric and the lining by quilting the bag. There are twelve pockets around the side and six in the end. The propellant is a flashless composition of the normal “Gudol” type and the igniter composition is the normal porous chopped cord.

SPECIFICATIONS

Propellant weight      6.9 lbs.
Propellant analysis
   Nitrocellulose (N-12.34%)34.47%
   Nitroguanidine33.81%
   Diethylene Glycol dinitrate30.22%
   Graphite0.14%
   Potassium Sulphate1.36%
Propellant bagViscose rayon
Cartridge caseBrass coated, 1010 type steel
Thickness of brass coating0.0001 in.
Base insertPhenol-formaldehyde resin

German: p. 313

Categories
German

Method of Ramming and Indexing Splined Projectile

Method of Ramming and Indexing Splined Projectile

Indexing and ramming the 28 cm prerifled projectile in the German railway gun, 28 cm K5 (E), is accomplished with the aid of the rammer which, by gripping the base of the shell, allows the projectile to be indexed during its final travel through the powder chamber. Fitted centrally in the flat head of the rammer are two claws, reversed to each other and held outwardly by spring tension. A circular undercut recess in the base of the projectile receives these two claws holding the base of the shell against the face of the rammer. Two keyways milled in the periphery of the base of the shell receive corresponding, lugs on the face of the rammer and hold the members in rotation. Four evenly spaced lugs projecting longitudinally from the face of the rammer fit over the sides of the base of the projectile and hold the two in a transverse direction.

The head is fitted by a universal joint to the rammer, the front portion of which is a plain two-inch shaft approximately ten feet long and the rear portion machined with four longitudinal splines set at the same angle as the rifling of the tube. Over the splined portion of the rammer, which is 6 feet, 10/4 inches long, slides a collar fitted with two radially projecting horns set at approximately 75 degrees. The last 16 1/4 inches of the rammer are not splined and the extremity threaded, in all probability to receive a transverse handle. A lever which depresses the claws to release the head from the base of the projectile is fitted to the rear portion of the shaft.

A bracket bolted in the rear face of the breech ring has the function of receiving in two longitudinal keyways, the extremities of the two radial horns of the sliding collar.

In operation, the rammer is held securely to the base of the projectile and the shell is rammed through the powder chamber until the two horns of the sliding collar, in its forward position along the splines, engage in the two matching keyways of the bracket fitted to the rear of the breech ring. At this point, the shell, which still has approximately 2 feet, 6 3/4 inches to travel before the leading edge of the splines engage in the grooves of the rifling, is indexed and during the remaining forward travel of ramming remains indexed by virtue of the sliding collar which being held against rotation causes the rammer sliding through it to rotate at the same twist as the rifling.

The position of the two horns can be adjusted in relation to the body of the collar and once set for a particular gun, no further adjustments are necessary. A scale etched on the spline portion of the rammer indicates the depth of ramming from 2,850 to 4,050 centimeters for the 28 cm K5 (E).

German: p. 312.2 (June 1, 1945)

Categories
German

28 cm R. Gr. 4331: Rocket Assisted Prerifled Projectile

28 cm R. Gr. 4331: Rocket Assisted Prerifled Projectile

This high explosive projectile is fired from the 28 cm K. 5 (E) railway gun, and is prerifled in the same manner as the 28 cm Gr. 35 described on page 312. The outstanding feature of this new projectile is an increase in range from 67,800 yards to 93,100 yards—nearly 53 miles. This increase of 37% over the maximum range for the standard high explosive round is the result of energy supplied to the projectile by the addition of rocket propellant powder which is ignited 19 seconds after leaving the gun. After building up sufficient pressure to shear the lip on the base plug, the rocket propellant located in the ogive of the projectile discharges through a central venturi tube.

On the main body there are 12 steel splines set at the angle of rifling. The forward body (ogive) is threaded externally to screw into the main body and internally at its nose to receive the fuze and a rocket propellant ignition system. The venturi tube which extends from the base of the projectile to its middle section is secured by being screwed into the fuze and venturi adapter. A spun glass sleeve insulates the venturi tube from the explosive charge which is cast on the resulting assembly. A Zt. Z. S/30 time fuze set to operate 19 seconds after the projectile is fired is screwed into the nose of the projectile. Two percussion fuzes, AZ 4331, are located in the venturi adapter. These are armed by the burning of the rocket propelling charge through a powder pellet incorporated in the fuze. The rocket propellant is moulded as one piece, and extending through it are eight longitudinal holes 3/4-inch in diameter, located around a circular hole 1 5/8-inch in diameter.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length of projectile (less fuze)       48.79 ins.
Diameter of ribs 11.70 ins.
Diameter of rotating band 11.85 ins.
Diameter of body 11.10 ins.
Total weight 545 3/4 lbs.
Rocket propellant weight 43 lbs.
Explosive weight 30 3/4 lbs.
Maximum range 93,100 yds.

German: p. 312.1 (June 1, 1945)