5 cm Granatwerfer 36

The 5 cm leichter Granatwerfer 36  (5 cm leGrW 36) was a light mortar used by Nazi Germany during World War II.

History
Development started in 1934 by Rheinmetall-Borsig AG and it was adopted for service in 1936. Its intended role was to engage pockets of resistance that were beyond hand grenade throwing range. Until 1938, it used a complicated telescopic sight. By 1941, the Granatwerfer 36 was seen as too complex for its intended role. It fired too light a bomb and had too short a range. It was used as a platoon mortar operated by a 3-man team. Production was terminated in 1941. It was gradually withdrawn from front line service by 1942, but available mortars remained in use until 1945 with second-line and garrison units until the end of hostilities in 1945. As supplies of the Granatwerfer 36 dwindled during 1944-1945, the Germans often relied on captured French and Soviet 50 mm mortars. The 50 mm continued to be popular for the remainder of the war, simply by the fact that it was easily transported by two men, and it provided the Infantry with a hitting power and range capability greater than any other weapon readily available at the squad or section level.