A Nebelwerfer and its crew.
The Nebelwerfer is an Axis Support Weapon used by the Wehrmacht, featured in Company of Heroes.
Overview
"Crew! Achtung!"
Nebelwerfers firing
The Nebelwerfer 41 (English: Fog thrower) is a mobile artillery platform used by the Wehrmacht during the conflict. Unlike its descendants, it can only fire high-explosive rockets at an area. It is operated by a crew of three, a spotter, a loader and a shooter, armed with a Walther P38 for defensive countermeasures. It is equipped with six barrels, each firing 34kg(75 lb) 150mm Wurfgranate 41 rockets. The rockets have good range, and can be fired even through fog of war. It is nicknamed by the Allies as "Screaming Mini" due to its distinctive screeches when it fires its salvo.
It is capable of destroying anything that it hits, from infantry squads, structures to light vehicles and tanks. Infantry that are attacked by the Wurfgranate 41 rockets are prone to suppression and being pinned down due to the massive explosions and the incendiary properties of the rockets. It is also fatal against stationary installations and crewed immobile weapons such as the 105mm Howitzers, effectively burning their crew to death and leaving it open for use. Any commander weilding multiple Nebelwerfers would be pleased by the massive destruction caused by these rocket launchers firing en masse while the enemy runs for cover.
However, the loud screech and the smoke trail from the rockets is a warning sign that it is on the field and active, revealing its position.
Details
A Nebelwerfer firing.
| Role: | Mobile Artillery Platform |
| Primary Armament: | 6x 150mm nebelwerfer 41 rocket launcher |
| Secondary Armament: | 1x Walther P38 pistol |
| Production Structure: | Sturm Armory |
| Manpower: | 325 |
| Munitions: | 0 |
| Fuel: | 0 |
| Population Cap: | 5 |
Abilities:
File:Nebelwerfer Barrage Ability.jpg Nebelwerfer Barrage
- Fires a barrage of 150mm rockets in a targeted area. It can damage structures and burn infantry.
- Cooldown: 60 seconds
Tactics
A Nebelwerfer crewed by Knight's Cross Holders.
Although it can function on its own as an ambush artillery unit, it would be advisable to have it escorted with infantry and vehicles, or it might fall prey to lurking snipers and charging infantry. If possible, have its crew replaced with elite units like Knight's Cross Holders to increase its lethality against incoming infantry. Due to its wide radius and the rocket's inaccuracy, the rockets will be expected to not hit its target - multiple deployment of these artillery units will make this sort of attack more effective. About five or more of these artillery units can provide the best artillery barrage against American forces.
It is a mobile artillery piece - use its mobility to keep it elusive against counter-battery fire and other artillery units that may try to destroy it. The smoke trails and loud screeches will reveal its position; have it move around the battlefield to keep it and the crew from trouble.
And if the circumstances require it, the Nebelwerfers can be micromanaged to fire one at a time, where a continuous barrage of rockets will most likely destroy anything.
Weaknesses
Because of its poor crew protection, Nebelwerfers are highly vulnerable to small arms fire. The shooter armed with a Walther P38 pistol means that the crew can do very little against infantry unless the crew are replaced with powerful infantry. They also take up a significant amount in the population cap - 5 per unit, decreasing its ability to be fielded in large quantities.
As Nebelwerfers are support weapons, the crew can be neutralized and the launcher can be captured by enemy infantry. They are also highly inaccurate, causing sporadic damage if not used en masse. Their massive smoke trail after firing also reveals their position which can be easily fired upon by Allied artillery. And due to their long recharge time, they will be vulnerable to other attacks.
References
An article about this unit in real life can be found here