Granatwerfer 42

12 cm Granatwerfer 42
Type	Mortar
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
Used by	Nazi Germany
Wars	Second World War
Production history
Designed	1941
Specifications
Mass	280 kg (617.3 lbs)
Shell	15.6 kg bomb
Caliber	120 mm (4.72 in)
Elevation	45° to 85°
Maximum firing range	6,050 m (6,616 yds)

The Granatwerfer 42 (literally, "grenade thrower Model 42"; official designation: 12cm GrW 42) was a mortar used by Germany during World War II.

Developed in 1941, the 12 cm (about 4.7 in) GrW 42 was an attempt to give German infantry units a close support weapon with a heavier performance than the mortars used in general service at the time. The weapon was a copy of the mortar used by Soviet forces on the Eastern Front. The Soviet version that was copied, the PM 38 120 mm mortar, was used by German soldiers after capturing one of them. These Soviet versions were defined 12 cm Granatwerfer 378 (r).

The GrW 42 was basically the usual three part construction made up of a circular base plate like the Soviet weapon, the tube itself and the supporting bipod. Because of the greater weight of the weapon (280 kilograms or 620 pounds) a two wheeled axle was utilised, enabling the mortar to be towed into action. The axle could then be quickly removed before firing.

The maximum range of the GrW 42, firing a 15.6 kg projectile, was approximately 6,050 m with an elevation of between 45 and 85 degrees. It has a maximum traverse of 16 degrees.