Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

German 15cm Rocket Launcher 41

15cm Nebelwerfer 41

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. German 15cm Rocket Launcher 41 Marker

Inscription. Developed in 1937 with the leadership of rocket scientist, Walter Dornberger and Werner von Braun, this new 6-barrel rocket launcher was designated as the Nebelwerfer 41, roughly translated as Smoke Thrower. It entered service with German Chemical troops in 1940 and was capable of delivering smoke, poison gas or high explosive projectiles. The six barrels are fired successively at one second intervals. The projectile had the rocket motor at the nose and angled exhaust ports to improve accuracy. The explosive charge was housed at the rear so that it would still be above ground when it detonated. Rocket launchers had a number of advantages over standard artillery: low weight, no recoil, greater target area and far cheaper to produce. Their chief disadvantages were half the range of standard artillery and little effect on pinpoint targets or emplacements. As the war progressed, larger numbers of Nebelwerfers were produced. They were used very effectively for launching massive barrages to prepare for attacks or to smash enemy attacks. A total of 5,283 NbWf 41s were produced. American troops named the weapon "Screaming Mimi"

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for its high pitched screaming noise.

Caliber - 6.24 in. - 158.5 mm
Weight - 1,698 lbs. - 770 kg
Range - 7,546 yds. - 6,900 m
Shell Weight - 75 lbs. - 34.15 kg
Elevation - (-5 to +45 degrees) - (-90 to +800 mils)
Traverse - 24 degrees - 427 mils
Muzzle Velocity - 1115 ft/sec. - 340 m/sec.
Rate of Fire - (6 rockets in 10 sec.) - (3 salvos in 5 min.)
CCN#383482

Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 150.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 34° 39.988′ N, 98° 23.061′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. It is at the intersection of Corral Road and Randolph Road, on the right when traveling west on Corral Road. The marker is located in the eastern section of Artillery Park at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Sill OK 73503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Kiowa Tribe,

in the Comanche Nation,

and in Southwest Oklahoma.

It is also in the American South,

German 15cm Rocket Launcher 41 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. German 15cm Rocket Launcher 41 and Marker

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: French M1917 150mm Trench Mortar (a few steps from this marker); Soviet M1939 76.2mm Field Gun (a few steps from this marker); German 250mm Heavy Mine Projector (old model) (a few steps from this marker); British 25-Pounder Field Gun/Howitzer (a few steps from this marker); German 170mm Medium Mine Projector, M1916 (Old Pattern) (a few steps from this marker); German M1916 77mm Light Field Gun (a few steps from this marker); German 100mm Gun, M1917 (a few steps from this marker); U.S. 6-Inch Siege Howitzer, Model of 1908/1908M1 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sill.

More about this marker. Marker and Museum are located on Fort Sill, an active U.S. military installation. The

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. German 15cm Rocket Launcher 41 and Marker

museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access for Fort Sill.

Also see . . . U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Submitted on March 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 435 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.