Imperial ordnance, Part 1: The 76 mm Leichte Wurfmine (light mortar mine)
 

I will post now some informations about imperial ordnance in different threads about shells, handgrenades etc. I think there is not really much known about the stuff from WWI (in comparison to WWII stuff) and there are nearly no threads about this very interesting subject.

Part 1 is about the german 76 mm leichte Wurfmine (mortar mine). I will post pictures of the example in my collection. All items shown in these threads are of course completely emtpy and inert after the currenct laws.

The 76 mm leichte Wurfmine is the smallest of the three mostly used Minenwerfer (leichter Minenwerfer 76 mm, mittlerer Minenwerfer 17 cm and schwerer Minenwerfer 25 cm) and was used as a Sprengmine (high explosive), Gasmine, Nachrichtenmine ("message mine") where a message written on paper could be placed inside and as Propagandamine (filled with propaganda leaflets). The last two examples are extremely rare!

This example shown here is a Sprengmine and completely restored and repainted after pictures and descriptions in the old regulations. The fuse used for it was usually a Leichter Wurfminenzünder 16 or 2 (light mortar mine fuse). It was a double effect fuse and could be set to time (burning fuse) or direct impact. The Minenwerfer (launcher) used for it was the Leichter Minenwerfer 16.


Technical Data:

Caliber: 76 mm
Lenght: ca. 26 cm
Weight (full): ca. 4,5 kg
Filling (as HE): ca. 560 g Perlit, Donarit or Westphalit (explosives usually used in a pit)
One driving band made from copper or a zinc alloy with pre-cut grooves.
Maximum range: 1300 m

Closeup of the fuse. Here a Leichter Wurfminenzünder 2 made by the famous watch manufacturer Junghans in 1916.

The bottom of the mine contained the propellant charge. The 8 holes are for the explosion gas of the propellant which drove the mine out of the launcher. The brass thing in the middle is the primer called "Schlagzündschraube". It was hit by the striking pin of the launcher and started the propellant.

The three parts disassembled. The upper part is the "Mundlochbuchse" which contained an explosive charge to initialise the main charge. There was also a second charge on the lower part of the fuse itself (here removed).

The leichte Minenwerfer and its crew:

Another picture:

One of these mines as seen on the hill "Toter Mann" (le Mort Homme) near Verdun. There are many different types; this one here has only 6 gas exhaust holes (one filled with dirt).
NEVER TOUCH SUCH FINDS! As you saw above these items are, even without fuse, still extremely dangerous!!!!

Two more (the two to the right):

Another picture of the Leichte Minenwerfer. This one is standing in the tower of the Ossuaire of Verdun:

Jens; The Garde=Reserve=Pionier=Regiment, the Flammenwerfer=Regiment in WW I, not only made their own flame-throwers in France, in a workshop at the regimental HQ, but also made a special light Minenwurfer that weighed only 20 kilos with base. A second man carried 12 shells in a special back-pack. Could this have been 76mm? I have a photo somewhere. I would think something like the old US 60mm mortar would have worked for this purpose. In other words, I know about the three calibers for MW that you mentioned, but do you also know of another one, a smaller one?

Bob Lembke

Bob, there was also a "Lanz-Minenwerfer". Maybe you mean this one? I have somewere also a pic; I'll try to find it.

Thats it.

Keep posting those mortar pictures!!!
Eric.

The next article will be about the "Granatenwerfer 16", also called "Priesterwerfer" or "Taube" (= pigeon) by the french because of its sound when incoming.

Very interesting Jens. I always enjoy seeing your battlefied photos. thumbsup


Cheers, Ade.

Awesome! I remember that in the Ossuaire but had no idea what it was.

Brian, thats a reason why I start such threads :D ;) There is nearly nothing known about the WWI stuff. It is really sick how dangerous this stuff is, even after 90 years in the earth.

Jens, after being in and around the Ossuaire at Verdun at age 15, that was a point in my life when I knew I wanted NOTHING to do with war.

I think you saw the pics on my website. If you visit this sad place many times you will get a pacifist. Even today with all the trees around. I think as you were there it looked nearly like 1916.

Jens,
Very interesting thread. Keep them comingthumbsup

Here is a picture from http://home.wanadoo.nl/battleofverdun/ showing 76 mm Wurfminen with angular "shoulders" (directly below the fuse). These are always GASMINES!

Fascinating threads Jens! You're right, not much is known about these types of WW1 weapons...Here's one that's in the Canadian War Museum:

Another view:

Very nice pictures! Thanks for contributing! thumbsup Thats the position how this weapon was moved. For firing the wheels had to be removed. Later in the war they made a version which could fire with wheels and even against tanks in a very low angle.

minenwerfer 76
 

Well this is most interesting I like the light minenwerfer and have 12 of them in various states of restoration along with numerous associated items ie rounds and straps and tables etc .For a bit more information for interested parties the gas and message shells are shorter than the average HE round in 1917 the earlier ones may be the shoulder ones seen in the shots here I have not experienced these as yet.Also the earlier minenwerfer rounds have less number of venturi holes in the rear propellant cavity.Another interesting item is the gain on the back of the shells fuse, varies according to model ie standard HE have a long gain that fits snugly inside the recess in your adapter ring while the gas shells have a short gain initially in brass or bronze then later in cardboard with a clear cellulose end washer .A lot of the gas shells are mistakenly called message shells by USA dealers ,well sort of right the receiving troops would have got a nasty message!.The drive bands on the light minenwerfer shells also vary according to period ie 1915 period tend to have fine copper drive bands more usual 1917 onwards tend to have the large grey metal bands the one you have restored I can only assume the band may be a replacement or grey metal one painted but the edges of the raised portions also seem a little sharp.

The fuses on the minenwerfer 76mm tend to also vary the early 1915-16 models tend to be all brass or bronze construction then slowly in 1917 various elements were made of white metal components or grey metal ending in later models being totally a mix of white metal and grey metal parts . it is interesting to note the grey metal over time expands slightly and becomes brittle any fuses tight to screw in should be given a touch with grinding paste to cut them back or the eventual result is the fuse will sieze in the adapter ring and may never come out in one piece again.
The safety caps vary also on the dates of manufacture ie the early ones had a single bar safety with a bayonet fitted safety cap on top latter 1917 models changed to a two pin and ring safety with a safety cap that screwed on the threaded top of the grey metal mounts .
I am always on the look out for minenwerfer parts especially sights and tools and manuals I am more than happy to post some shots of my minenwerfers when I get more adapt at this sight .Also like contact from other minenwerfer owners
regards
Rod