Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
German 56 150 and 300mm Rocket Launcher
30cm Raketenwerfer 56
Photographed By James Hulse, September 9, 2021
1. German 56 150 and 300mm Rocket Launcher Marker
This unique rocket launcher introduced in 1944, was capable of firing both 150 and 300mm smoke, chemical and high-explosive spin-stablized rockets. The 30cm Raketenwerfer 56 consisted of the launching rails of the 30cm Nebelwerfer 42 (smoke-thrower) mounted on the obsolete 5cm Anti-Tank Gun carriage. A total of 694 were produced by Mashinen Fabrik in Donauwörth. A special set of rails, stored in a rack on the top of the launcher, permitted the 30cm Raketenwerfer 56 to fire the smaller 15cm rockets. Another unusual feature was towing eyes at the front and rear of the launcher. This enabled one vehicle to tow several launchers hooked in tandem. These weapons were manned by the Nebeltruppen or Smoke Troops, a part of the chemical branch of the German Army. The rocket launchers were organized into batteries of six weapons with three batteries in a battalion. The battalions were grouped together in independent regiments and brigades. The massive back blast of the rockets meant the crews had to take precautions before electrically firing the rockets. The 30cm Raketenwerfer was used on all fronts until the
this page online
Caliber - 5.9/11.8 in. - 150/300 mm
Weight - 2,249 lbs. - 1,004 kg
Range - 4,980 yds. - 4,550 m
Shell Weight - 284 lbs. - 127 kg
Muzzle Velocity - 750 ft/sec. - 230 m/sec.
Elevation - (-3 to +45 degrees) - (-53 to +800 mils)
Traverse - 22 degrees - 400 mils
Rate of Fire - 6 rockets in 10 sec. and 2 salvos in 5 min.
CCN# 127040
Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 180.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.
Location. 34° 39.996′ N, 98° 23.075′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Austro-Hungarian 75mm Mountain Cannon Model 15 (here, next to this marker); German GrW 69 210mm Heavy Mortar (a few steps from this marker); British 25-Pounder Field Gun/Howitzer (a few steps from this marker); German K-18 170mm Gun (a few steps from this marker); German 88mm Anti-Aircraft 36 Gun
Photographed By James Hulse, September 9, 2021
2. The reverse view of the German 56 150 and 300mm Rocket Launcher and Marker
More about this marker. Marker and Museum are located on Fort Sill, an active U.S. military installation. The 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.)
Photographed By James Hulse, September 9, 2021
3. The side view of the German 56 150 and 300mm Rocket Launcher and Marker
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 71 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 9, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
