Thread: Katyusha Multiple Rocket Launcher

The Katyusha Rocket Launcher was used extensively throughout WW2 by the Red Army. Russian Soldiers coined the Nickname after a song "Katyusha" and actually translates as "Katie" shortened from "Katherine". The Germans called Katyushas "Stalin's Organ" after the strange Wailing sound they made when launching. Though not particularly accurate they were none the less devastataing if troops & equipment happened to be nearby when the barrage landed. Very cheap to produce they were used in great quantities by the Red Army when they wanted to clear a path to move forward or soften up enemy positions ready for an assault. The Seelowe Heights is a good example of this when Zhukov & Koniev's Armies were about to cross the Oder River in the final stages of the war in 1945 as they pushed on towards Berlin.








Left to Right. Truck Mounted Launcher, Red Army Soldiers reloading a Ground Launcher, Close up view of Katyushas on a Launcher, A Katyusha Volley is unleashed during the Battle for Berlin.

Excellent posting all round Spit.
It's the least I can do to add a video here, and to offer a relevant link from within War44:
http://www.war44.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259

Katyushas, sadly, no sound.

+

Good bit of video though . If you see them on the World at War or similar it's a wierd noise.

Damn shame about the sound Dave ..

Well it took some finding but the sound can be heard here. Agreed, it's a weird sound, very unexpected. Those of us in the UK might be reminded of the "TARDIS" sound effect.

+

Make sure you look closely, they are not the same models...

BM-13-16 Rocket Launcher on Austin K6 (6X4)Truck Chassis

BM-13-16 Rocket Launcher on ZIS-6 (6X4)Truck Chassis

BM-13-16 Rocket Launcher on Ford WOT-8 (4X4)Truck Chassis

BM-13-16 Rocket Launcher on Chevrolet G-7117 (4X4)Truck Chassis

BM-13-16 Rocket Launcher on GMC CCKW-352 (6X6)Truck Chassis

BM-13-16 Rocket Launcher on International K7 (4X4)Truck Chassis

BM-13-16 Rocket Launcher on Dodge T-203B (4X4)Truck Chassis

BM-13-16 Rocket Launcher on Studebaker US6 (6X6)Truck Chassis

BM-13-16 Rocket Launcher on Ford-Marmon HH6 (4X4)Truck Chassis

Crews from the 4th Guards Rocket Artillery Regiment mounted M-13 rockets on rails of BM-13-16 rocket launchers which were based on the ZIS-6 truck chassis. September 1943

BM-13-16 Rocket Launchers from the 4th Guards Rocket Artillery parading on the street of Rostov Summer 1943.

M-13 Rockets being loaded onto rails of BM 13-16 Rocket Launchers. Summer 1943.