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Germany's 5-cm leichte Granatwerfer 36¹,
5-cm leGrW 36¹

During the 1930s the Germans wanted a squad level mortar.¹ Rheinmetall-Borsig AG designed a mortar where the barrel was permanently attacked to the baseplate and a monopod (instead of the normal bipod) was attached.¹

It was first issued in 1936.¹ Until 1938 the mortar had a telescopic site mounted, but this was unnecessary at the ranges the mortar was used.¹

How Used

There was a handle in the barrel that allowed a single man to carry it.¹ Another man carried the ammunition.¹

The baseplate was placed on the ground and the adjustments were made using a coarse and fine control knobs.¹ Firing was done by a trigger.¹

Soldier's Views

Most soldiers thought it was too heavy and complex to fire the small 50 mm bomb.¹

End of Production

The 5-cm leGrW 36 was expensive in the amount of raw materials that were used to produce the weapon.¹ Based on this, in 1941 production ceased.¹

Most of the mortars were taken from front line units and passed on to second line or garrison untis.¹ Many were used in the defenses of the Atlantic Wall.¹

The Italian army also received some.¹

Sources:

1. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, 1998, Chris Bishop