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

[JensF.]

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

[JensF.]

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

[JensF.]

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.

[JensF.]

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).

[JensF.]

The leichte Minenwerfer and its crew:

[JensF.]

Another picture:

[JensF.]

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!!!!

[JensF.]

Two more (the two to the right):

[JensF.]

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

[Bob Lembke]

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

[JensF.]

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

[JensF.]

Thats it.

[Eric K.]

Keep posting those mortar pictures!!!
Eric.

[JensF.]

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

[Adrian Stevenson]

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


Cheers, Ade.