The "Grenatenwerfer 16" was a simple and portable spigot grenade launcher. First employed by Austro-Hungarian troops and was called the “Priesterwefer,” as it was designed by a Hungarian priest named Vecer. Later rounds were designed to work like a "bouncing betty" mine, jumping up after impact before exploding.

Ammunition - 1.9kg spigot grenades, flares
Range - 500m


The 7.58 cm Minenwerfer a.A. took six men to carry, not exactly a squad-portable field weapon. Later in the war the mortar could also be mounted on a special cradle for use in direct fire anti rank role. Distinct hydraulic cylinders either side of the muzzle absorb recoil.

Ammunition - 4.5kg HE
Range - 300 to 1300m


The massive 25 cm schwerer Minenwerfer was usually installed into a deep pit for crew protection. Though it was short ranged it could deliver far more explosive power than artillery shells of similar size.

Ammunition - 50kg or 97kg HE
Range - Up to 970m

The Maxim Flak M14 was an adaptation of the British QF 1 pounder, see the British guide for more details. Also used as a makeshift ground gun in the East African campaign.


Named for the way it could spit tracer or flare ammunition, the Flaming Onion is actually a revolving 37mm Hotchkiss cannon. To maximize the chance of a strike, all five rounds were discharged as rapidly as possible, giving the "string of flaming onions" effect. This left many pilots thinking that the rounds were chained together or otherwise attached by strings of wire, and they feared being shredded by it.