Model 1916 Granatenwerfer

In addition to one 76mm Minenwerfer, each Leichte Minenenwerfer Trupp was supplied with two Granatenwerfers (Grenade Thrower). The Granatenwerfer, also know as the "Priest" or "Spigot Mortar", was a small portable grenade launcher with a built in handle for ease of transport. The projectile was a large serrated grenade which was attached to a finned shaft, giving it stability during flight. The round had an effective range of between 50 and 300 meters.

In order to keep the size and weight to a minimum, the Granatenwerfer was designed such that the round slides over a mandrel, rather than having a heavy barrel to contain it. When the lanyard is pulled, it releases a firing pin, protruding from the end of the mandrel, and strikes the primer of a propellant cartridge, which is housed inside the Granatenwerfer round. The expanding gas from the propellant continues to accelerate the round until it is clear of the top of the mandrel. The grenade was detonated by a percussion fuse, causing it to explode on impact. The main body could be adjusted to a declination angle from 45 to 85 degrees. The 85 degree adjustment was used for the minimum distance of 50 meters, but the user had to be very aware of the wind direction at this high angle to avoid having the round blown back on him.

The Granatenwerfer was typically fired from a grundplatte (baseplate). This had an adjustable plate with angular graduations to locate the Granatenwerfer in the required direction. These were typically made up of a large disk, but due to there size and weight, a smaller, pie-shaped model was designed for ease of transport.

There were a few variations of the Granatenwerfer round. The most common models had either three or four fins and a large cylindrical, serrated head. The serrations were weak spots which caused the head to fragment into many small pieces of shrapnel upon detonation. Two other versions, which were very rare, included one with a head that was only half the standard length and a second with a teardrop shaped head. These were both developed for improved range, but this came at the cost of a less lethal device due to the decrease in mass. In addition to the explosive devices above, there was also a training round which contained a small "non-lethal" charge to allow the spotter to see the point of impact. These were painted red to avoid getting them mixed up with the explosive rounds.

Preparing to launch

For reenacting purposes, a lightweight foam rubber round is used which is molded from an original round. It is fired by pulling a lanyard to release the gas pressure which propels it into the air and across no-mans land to the enemy trenches. In flight, it is nearly impossible to tell from the real thing.

Original and Simulated Rounds

See more examples of Granatenwerfers around the United States and Europe