Maybe some of the weapons"experts" here might help.In general,what kind of force did the Stalin organ have?I,m aware we had a version as well as the Germans.From what I read everyone feared them.Is it like a mortar round[or more powerful]?Penetrate armor?What about range?

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The Russian 'Katyusha' and German 'Nebelwerfer' both entered service about a month apart. They are basically referred to as 'rocket artillery'.

The Katyusha came in 82, 132 and 300mm sizes, the Nebelwerfer in 150, 210, 280 and 300mm. Warhead weight varied but was usually in the region of 22kg HE. Range was around 5km. The rocket shells had quite thin casings and relied on blast to create a shock-effect.

Armour-piercing rounds were not used as the weapon could not be accurately aimed ; the idea was to 'saturate' a defended area ,usually immediately prior to an infantry assault.

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

For the Soviet flavors:

82mm 1kg propellant (black powder), 3.05 kg explosive filler, overall weight 8kg. Range was about 5 km depending on weather.

132mm 7.08kg propellant, 18.5 kg explosive filler, overall weight 42.5 kg. Range about 8.5 km.

300mm 72kg overall weight range about 2.8 km. Fired from a fixed frame launcher.

310mm An improved 300mm rocket replacing it in 1944. 92.5 kg weight 4.8 km range or 94.6 kg and 4.5 km range.

All of these were high explosive only, unlike their German equivalents which could have HE, smoke or, incendiary warheads depending on model.

My grandfather has told me about the dreaded Katyushas, that were incredibly inaccurate. There was a lot of noise, smoke, many explosions but little damage, because they rarely hit something, but when they did... they had really terrible effects.

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"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Terrible weapons and truly effective in creating havoc!

I just remember reading about the 1941 Barbarossa campaign how Germans had trouble in some cities with Russian defence. Other measures would not work but a barrage by Nebelwerfers always worked. I know it was the same with Katjushas...

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