Nebelwerfer: Germany’s Screaming Rocket Artillery

The Nebelwerfer (meaning “smoke thrower”) was a series of German multiple-barrel rocket artillery systems used during World War II. Originally intended to launch smoke shells, the Nebelwerfer quickly evolved into a powerful psychological and physical battlefield weapon, capable of firing high-explosive rockets that delivered devastating barrages across enemy lines.

The Nebelwerfer series was mounted on both wheeled carriages and half-tracks, and its howling, shrieking sound when fired earned it the nickname “Screaming Mimi” among Allied troops. It was used by Germany’s Nebeltruppen—specialized chemical and smoke artillery units that became more focused on high-explosive delivery as the war progressed.

Major Variants of the Nebelwerfer:

1. 15 cm NbW 41 – The most common early version; a 6-tube launcher mounted on a towed carriage, firing 34 kg rockets with a range of about 6,900 meters.

2. 21 cm NbW 42 – A larger, 5-tube launcher capable of firing massive 21 cm rockets that created even greater blast effects and had a longer range.

3. 30 cm NbW 42 – This version fired 127 kg high-explosive rockets. It had only 6 barrels due to the massive size and was especially devastating against infantry and structures.

4. 28/32 cm Schweres Wurfgerät 40 & 41 – These launched both high-explosive and incendiary rockets, mounted in wooden or metal frames, offering flexibility on the battlefield.

5. Panzerwerfer 42 – A self-propelled version mounted on a half-track (Sd.Kfz. 4/1), allowing for greater mobility and rapid fire-and-move tactics. It was armed with a 10-barrel 15 cm launcher and carried reloads inside.
The Nebelwerfer was used heavily on the Eastern and Western Fronts, especially in Stalingrad, Normandy, and during the Battle of the Bulge. Though less accurate than traditional artillery, its sheer volume of fire and terrifying noise made it a powerful psychological weapon.