15 cm Pz.W.42

15 cm Pz.W.42

15 cm Pz.W.42

Germany

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.3	2.3	2.3

Class:

PREMIUM

Tank destroyer

Purchase:4 800

Description

The 15 cm Pz.W.42 (15 cm Nb.W.41) auf Sf. is a premium rank II German tank destroyer with a battle rating of 2.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.53 "Firestorm". A marked gun sight for the rocket launcher was added shortly after Update "Ixwa Strike".

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Hull8 / 8 / 8

Turret10 / 10 / 10

Crew3 people

Visibility88 %

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, rocket launcher mount)
• Structural steel (rocket launcher tubes, undercarriage)
• Wheel (front tires)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	8 mm (6°) Engine compartment 8 mm (32°) Driver cabin	8 mm (31-35°) Top 8 mm (37°) Bottom 8 mm (52°) Engine vents 8 mm + 8 mm (37°) Storage bins	8 mm (35°)	8 mm (7°) Engine compartment 8 mm
Rocket launcher	N/A	10 mm Launcher mount 8 mm Tubes	10 mm Launcher mount	8 mm Tubes

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 6 mm thick while tracks are 8 mm thick and torsion bars are 5 mm thick.
• Wheels are 10 mm thick and mudguards are 4 mm thick.
• The belly armour is 8 mm thick.

Armour used on this vehicle is fairly typical of other armoured half-tracks, enough to block rifle-calibre machine guns from most angles, but practically non-existent against any anti-tank weapon. While the large radiator and engine can soak up shrapnel from small HE shells, large shells with a high explosive content can destroy your vehicle quickly due to overpressure.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB51 / 9 km/h

RB and SB47 / 9 km/h

Number of gears6 forward

1 back

Weight7.1 t

Engine power

AB130 hp

RB and SB68 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB18.3 hp/t

RB and SB9.6 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	51	9	7.1	97	130	13.66	18.31
Realistic	47	9		60	68	8.45	9.58

The 15 cm Pz.W.42 has decent mobility for a half-track: it is quick enough to get where you want to or behind cover when in trouble. The top reverse speed is -8 km/h (RB).

Modifications and economy

Repair cost

AB851

RB1 286

SB1 177

Crew training10 000

Experts165 000

Aces470

Research Aces710 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

2 × 90 / 150 / 170 %

2 × 148 / 148 / 148 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Suspension Brake System Filters Transmission Engine	Improved Parts Improved FPE Crew Replenishment	Horizontal Drive Elevation Mechanism Artillery Support

Armaments

Main armament

150 mm Wgr.41 Spr rocket

Ammunition20 rounds

Belt capacity10 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

23.4 → 18.0 s

Fire rate120 shots/min

Vertical guidance-7° / 40°

150 mm Wgr.41 Spr rocket					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	20	-7°/+40°	±180°	N/A	13.2	18.3	22.2	24.6	26.1	23.40	20.70	19.08	18.00
Realistic					8.9	10.5	12.8	14.1	15.0

This rocket launcher is mounted to the rear of the vehicle in a 2x5 array, allowing for ten rockets ready to fire.

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
Wgr.41 Spr	Rocket	27	27	27	27	27	27

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
Wgr.41 Spr	Rocket	340	34.15	0	0.1	2,150	79°	80°	81°

There is currently only one ammunition choice for the Pz.W.42. These rockets are heavy and have very high drop, leading to curved firing arcs. Refer to Usage in Battles for more information.

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the 15 cm Pz.W.42

Full ammo	Visual discrepancy
20	No

Notes

• Rockets deplete from left to right, top row first and then the bottom row second.
• It is not possible to select how many rockets to bring into battle.

Machine guns

7.92 mm MG42 machine gun

Ammunition2 550 rounds

Belt capacity150 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate1 200 shots/min

7.92 mm MG42
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	2,500 (150)	1,200	-5°/+25°	±45°

A single MG42 is mounted over the driver compartment. It has a limited traverse but a very fast firerate. Its low calibre means that the gun is only really effective against very lightly armored enemy ground vehicles or aircraft. This gun can also be used to mark enemies during reloading periods or range targets for the rocket launchers. Because of the mount position, this gun is able to fire over cover, while the Pz.W.42 stays completely hidden. This can be used to destroy enemies like the GAZ-MM (72-K) without any worry of dangerous return fire.

Due to the loud and distinct rapport of the gun, alongside its bright tracer rounds, it is recommended to use this gun only for emergency self-defense or against specific targets of opportunity. The MG42 can attract unnecessary attention toward the lightly-armored vehicle, exposing its position to enemy snipers and attack aircraft.

Usage in battles

The 15 cm Pz.W.42 is a lightly armoured vehicle and can be played as a long-distance tank destroyer or an ambusher.

Long Range

The first strategy takes advantage of your devastating firepower to disable opponents while staying at a distance, guaranteeing your survivability. The heavy 15 cm Wurfgranate 41 rockets are similar to large-caliber HE shells in damage performance, due to the amount of high-explosive filler. Like HE rounds, these rockets don't lose penetration over distance and are as effective at 1,000 meters as they are at 10 meters. With this advantage, a Pz.W.42 can be used as a mobile artillery piece. The gun sight allows the Panzerwerfer to set an elevation distance to fire at.

One disadvantage of the rockets is that they are extremely heavy, and the rocket drop arc may be tricky for new players to learn. Players may attempt to aim directly at an enemy situated at a reasonable distance away, launch a rocket, and then watch that rocket harmlessly impact the ground far in front of the target. It is recommended to gain a lot of practice in order to get used to the rocket arcs. Experienced players can consistently hit targets at range and can even be able to launch rockets over hills at unsuspecting enemies. Targeting enemies beyond 1,500 m may require the use of the sight distance control feature or the player may not be able to keep their eyes on the target to make necessary aim corrections.

Another disadvantage of the rockets is that they are naturally inaccurate. Players may need two or three rockets to ensure the destruction of an enemy vehicle. Launch delay is short, but the Pz.W.42 only has ten ready at a time. Keep in mind that terrain irregularities will slow you down and hinder your movement. It is recommended to position your vehicle carefully when sitting at a shooting spot to be able to hide as soon as you are forced to reload. If your position is compromised, enemy snipers, artillery, and aircraft may be coming your way.

Close Range

The Pz.W.42's armour isn't strong enough to resist heavy machine gun fire within 500 m, but its rear weapon layout allows you to expose only a small part of your vehicle toward the enemy. In urban combat, the Panzerwerfer can set up excellent ambush positions.

One strategy is to place yourself behind hard cover between buildings close to a perpendicular street. When an enemy vehicle passes by, you can fire a rocket or two into the side of it. You can drag destroyed vehicles to create cover if none exists.

Another strategy is to place yourself at the end of a narrow street behind hard cover. When an enemy vehicle advances up the street, you can fire a few rockets to destroy it. It is recommended to rangefind the end of the street to know how much to elevate the launcher. Keep in mind that items like street signs, street lights and small trees in the way may detonate the rocket before it impacts the intended target. You can clear these obstacles by driving over them or shooting them with the MG42.

Notable enemies

With its thin armour, any enemy can knock out the 15 cm Pz.W.42, but some stand out for being particularly dangerous:

• The Ho-I, StuH 42 G, Sav m/43 (1946), Chi-Ha LG and any other vehicle that can use HEAT or high-calibre HE rounds - HEAT and HE can easily overpressure your crew and/or detonate your ammo racks.
• M4A3 (105) - First of all, this American medium tank carries a M4 105mm howitzer that can fire both HE and HEAT rounds. These can demolish the Pz.W.42 in one shot. Second of all, the tank carries a powerful .50 cal (12.7mm) M2HB heavy machine gun on the roof. This gun can easily penetrate the Pz.W.42, even at range, knocking out essential crewmembers quickly. Last of all, the M4A3 (105)'s armor is thick for the tier, which may allow it to absorb a few shots before destruction.
  • When facing this vehicle, it is recommended to attempt to flank it to fire at the weaker side armor on the hull. If aimed carefully, a few rockets can be fired to destroy the barrel, the roof machine gun, and the tracks to stop the vehicle from both moving and firing back. France also uses the M4A3 (105), so be prepared to face it when France is on the enemy team, double, if the Allies are together.
• SPAA. These can shower you continuously with bullets and even detonate your rockets in flight. While they can be easily destroyed with mg fire or a single rocket, SPAAs can demolish the Pz.W.42 in mere seconds. Take specific note of the M15 CGMC, M16 MGMC, ZiS-12 (94-KM), BTR-152A, AEC AA, So-Ki, CCKW 353 AA, LVT-4/40, and Lvtdgb m/40. A few have armor thick enough to stop 7.62mm rounds.

How to defeat an enemy 15 cm Pz.W.42

• It is ill-advised to attack the 15 cm Pz.W.42 frontally when it has rockets loaded. It is recommended to only engage it once all rockets have been launched and before the 15 cm Pz.W.42 gets back behind cover.
• If the Panzerwerfer is lurking at a good distance, you can progress under cover towards it. Be aware that rockets have a curved trajectory, so its recommended to pick your cover accordingly.
• If the Pz.W.42's position is known on the map, artillery strikes and/or airstrikes can get rid of it easily.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Fast reload for ten large-caliber rockets
• Easy to aim from long range with the gun sight
• Will deal huge amounts of damage to SPAA and light tanks due to the large blast radius
• High explosive mass for rockets will cripple armoured targets due to overpressure
• Decent roof-mounted machine gun
• Weapon positions allow it to fire from behind cover
• Can fire over hills due to the rocket launch arcs

Cons:

• Poor penetration (~40 mm)
• Thin armour leads to the vehicle being vulnerable to heavy machine gun fire
• Rocket launch arcs can be hard to learn
• Turret rotation is relatively slow
• Low crew count can lead to the vehicle and essential positions (driver, gunner) being knocked out easily

History

Development

Production of the 15 cm Pz.W.42 (15 cm Nb.W.41) auf Sf. started in 1942 by the Opel company, based on the Maultier half track. It was built in series from April 1943 to March 1944, together with the accompanying ammunition vehicle, the Sd.Kfz. 4 Munitionskraftwagen.

Similar to the Soviet BM-13N "Katyusha" launcher, the Pz.W.42 was used in mass barrage attacks on enemy positions. Also like the Katyusha, the loud, distinct sound of the rockets firing had additional psychological effects. The Panzerwerfer 42 and the related Nebelwerfer launcher gained the nickname "Moaning Minnie" by Allied troops for this reason. Large amounts of these launchers were used throughout 1944 and 1945 on both the Eastern and Western fronts in actions like the Battle of the Bulge and defense of Berlin.

In total, Opel produced 296 Panzerwerfer 42 launchers and 251 Sd.Kfz. 4 ammunition vehicles.

In-game description

A modified Nb.Wf.41 ten-barreled rocket-propelled mine-thrower was installed on the adapted chassis of an Opel Maultier tractor trailer enclosed in armor. It was developed in 1942. During its production from 1943 to 1944 about 300 mounts were released. They were widely used by the Wehrmacht. Due to the use of a mine-stabilization system based on rotation, a higher degree of accuracy and lower spread was achieved than that of rocket-propelled projectiles with tailfin stabilization systems.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the 15 cm Pz.W.42 from live.warthunder.com.

Images

• 

  Pz.IV F2 alongside a 15 cm Pz.W.42.

Videos

Something you don't expect to see when looking at vehicles ammo: 15 cm Pz.W.42 - HowToPlay1337

Panzerwerfer 42 Tank Review - NUSensei

See also

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

• BM-13N
• BM-8-24
• Calliope

External links

• [Devblog] T25 Medium Tank and Panzerwerfer 42 Auf.Sf
• [Wikipedia] Panzerwerfer
• [Tanks Encyclopedia] Sd.Kfz.4 Panzerwerfer