Nebelkerzenabwurfvorrichtung

The Nebelkerzenabwurfvorrichtung (abbreviated N.K.A.V.) was a rear mounted grenade dispenser used to disperse the Schnellnebelkerze 39 smoke grenade. It was typically found on German tanks from 1939 through 1942.[1]

Close up of the Nebelkerzenabwurfvorrichtung.

Operation

The device carried five smoke grenades, each grenade being held in position by spring loaded catches. The vehicle commander released the grenades one at a time[1] by wire control which operated a ratchet coupled to a camshaft.

Each pull of the control wire rotated the camshaft one fifth of a turn, releasing a smoke grenade, the pin of which was drawn out by a fixed chain, and the ratchet was returned to its original position by a second spring. Five pulls on the control wire would release all five smoke grenades in succession, enabling the vehicle to reverse out of sight into its own smoke screen[2] with the grenades discharging smoke for about 100 to 200 seconds.[3] Later examples of the Nebelkerzenabwurfvorrichtung were fully enclosed in an armored box (N.K.A.V. mit Schutzmantel).[4] The Nebelkerzenabwurfvorrichtung was discontinued beginning in April 1942 because it had not proven to be effective,[3] the main disadvantage being that the resulting smoke screen built up behind the vehicle.[5] It was succeeded by the turret mounted Nebelwurfgerät launcher.

  • Panzer I tank equipped with the N.K.A.V.
    Panzer I tank equipped with the N.K.A.V.
  • Panzer II tank equipped with the N.K.A.V.
    Panzer II tank equipped with the N.K.A.V.
  • Panzer 38(t) tank with an armored N.K.A.V. mounted below the muffler and painted with a Balkenkreuz.
    Panzer 38(t) tank with an armored N.K.A.V. mounted below the muffler and painted with a Balkenkreuz.
  • Panzer III tank equipped with the N.K.A.V.
    Panzer III tank equipped with the N.K.A.V.
  • Panzer III tank equipped with the N.K.A.V.
    Panzer III tank equipped with the N.K.A.V.
  • Panzer III tank with an N.K.A.V. mounted above the right muffler.
    Panzer III tank with an N.K.A.V. mounted above the right muffler.
  • Panzer III with an armored N.K.A.V.
    Panzer III with an armored N.K.A.V.
  • Panzer IV tank with an N.K.A.V. mounted above the muffler.
    Panzer IV tank with an N.K.A.V. mounted above the muffler.
  • Panzer IV tank with an N.K.A.V. mounted above the muffler.
    Panzer IV tank with an N.K.A.V. mounted above the muffler.
  • A destroyed Panzer IV with an armored N.K.A.V. painted with a Balkenkreuz.
    A destroyed Panzer IV with an armored N.K.A.V. painted with a Balkenkreuz.

See also

Notes
  1. Jentz 2006, p. 60.
  2. Perrett 1999, p. 17.
  3. Zaloga 2016, p. 32.
  4. Jentz 2007, p. 74.
  5. Panther 1944 Der Mittlere Panzerkampfwagen - SD.KFZ. 171 Archived 2019-08-14 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved: 20 February 2019.

References
  • Jentz, Thomas (2006). Panzer Tracts 3-1: Panzerkampfwagen III - Ausf. A, B, C, und D. Boyds, MD: Panzer Tracts. ISBN 0977164349.
  • Jentz, Thomas (2007). Panzer Tracts 3-2: Panzerkampfwagen III - Ausf. E, F, G, und H. Boyds, MD: Panzer Tracts. ISBN 9780977164394.
  • Perrett, Bryan (1999). Panzerkampfwagen III Medium Tank 1936–44. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781855328457.
  • Zaloga, Steven (2016). Bazooka vs Panzer Battle of the Bulge 1944. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781472812490.
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