I came across this piece of ammunition in one of Ian Hogg's books about WWII artillery. It can best be described as a fin-stabilized, bunker-busting shell, and was designed for use in several guns, including the 21cm Morser 18. The shells were designed around the theory of increasing sectional density to improve penetration. The Rochling shell could penetrate an impressive (for its caliber) 14 feet of reinforced concrete. Hogg mentions its use on the Polish, French, and Russian frontiers, but goes on to say that it wasn't used very often because Hitler was afraid the Allies would capture a dud specimen. Range, weight of shell, and performance are devoid from the writings- so I wanted to ask you, the omniscient forum goers, is there more to this shell? Maybe actual combat data? Was it rarely used because of its secrecy, or because the shell was a piece of crap?
Hi. Source: Waffen Revue issues 72 and 73 Röchling grenades were developed for 21 cm Mörser 18, 34 cm railway gun 674(f) and for the 35,5,cm mortar M1 only. Due to the low muzzle velocity the grenades were very inaccurate (36 m on 1000 m range......) and there were only few possible targets after Sewastopol. At least 13710 21-cm-Rö. Gr. 42 Be and 44 Be (Be for Beton = concrete) were delivered but only 200 of them were laborated completely. More than 12000 were not filled at all. Another 50 or so were fired for test purposes on Fort Neufchateau in Belgium in late 1941/early 1942. The other caliber grenades were tested also but no production. So the answer to your question: The grenades were a piece of crap, but had influence on late war subcaliber ammunition development. Yours tom!
