What is this German contraption?

[Odulf]

Who can identify this gun/apparatus?

[Brian Wolfe]

I have nothing to base this upon but it looks to me like a training device for motor crews.

Regards

Brian

[coldstream]

Some form of man portable rocket firing apparatus? It appears that whatever this is it is fired remotely using the cable which appears to run from the bottom of the device. (if my eyes see it correctly!)

What era do you think the photo is from? It looks like WW2 but is he wearing any isignia other then his shoulder boards, I can't see a breast eagle, so perhaps a postwar piece of equipment?

Simon

[GRA]

I agree with Simon, some sort of rocket firing device. I'm thinking the motor part of a mine-clearance "snake" - something pulling a hose of explosive out to full length before it is detonated clearing a path through AP (at least) and AT (probably) minefields and barbed wire. It is not high-precision work, and there are no aiming devices present on this device - just aim "in the general direction of".

/Jonas

PS. Simon, there's a breast eagle present, but it's not easy to catch. One of those woven ones?

[coldstream]

Thanks for that Jonas, I'm afraid the eyes aren't what they used to be !!! (no sordid comments re eye sight loss please Gentlemen!)

Simon

[Odulf]

Thank you very much gentlemen for putting me on the right track. I have found the answer, it is a launcher for propaganda leaflets, a Propagandawerfer / Flugblattgeschoss.

The details of this projector can be found on this very informative website: http://www.psywarrio...semination.html

Edited July 2, 2011 by Odulf

[coldstream]

Odulf

Well done for the identification and congratulations on finding what must be a rare photograph. Never seen this before and thanks for the link, a nice site.

Simon

[Brian Wolfe]

Excellent research work Odulf.

Regards

Brian

[GRA]

Thank you Odulf, one learns something new every day! I agree with Simon and Brian, good work finding that website, very interesting.

/Jonas

[Odulf]

Thanx guys. But this makes me wonder: who would be the operators of these projectors (the simplicity of the apparatus isn't rocket science)?

Would it be a specialist unit like the Propaganda Kompanie, or men from the communications or support company, would these projectors be on the strength of a regiment or a division staff, or others?

[GRA]

Just speculating now, but I'd say that the operators would be temporarily assigned from a specialist unit to the "unit in charge of the launch site". The launcher itself is, as you say, not exactly rocket science, but the message part of the operation would involve specialists. I'd be surprised if this was even a divisional asset (corps-level? army-level?), but there has to be someone on the forum who knows the organisation of the German army in WW2 being able to give a correct answer.

/Jonas