15 cm Luftminenwerfer M 15 M. E.

Infobox Weapon
name=15 cm Minenwerfer M 15 M. E.


caption=
origin=Germany
type=medium trench mortar
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=yes
is_vehicle=
is_UK=
service=1915-1918
used_by=flag|Austria-Hungary
wars=World War I
designer=Maschinenfabrik Esslingen
design_date=1914-5
manufacturer=Maschinenfabrik Esslingen
production_date=1915-6
number=200
variants=Model II
weight=convert|207|kg|lb
length=
part_length=
width=
height=
crew=
cartridge=
caliber=150 mm (5.90 in)
action=
rate=
velocity=
range=
max_range=convert|500|m|yd
feed=
sights=
breech=
recoil=
carriage=
elevation=
traverse=360°?
blade_type=
hilt_type=
sheath_type=
head_type=
haft_type=
diameter=
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine=
engine_power=
pw_ratio=
suspension=
vehicle_range=
speed=The 15 cm Luftminenwerfer M 15 M. E. (Pneumatic Trench Mortar Maschinenfabrik Esslingen) was a medium mortar used by Austria-Hungary in World War I. It was developed by the German firm Maschinenfabrik Esslingen in response to a German requirement. Its initial testing was observed by an Austro-Hungarian representative and his favorable report convinced them to order a batch of five for comparative testing. It was evaluated on 21 September 1915 and it produced a favorable impression. But nonetheless four weapons were sent off for combat trials at the end of October 1915, which were presumably favorable.

The barrel was mounted on a central pivot attached to a base plate, presumably with 360° of traverse. A single cylinder of compressed air was good for twelve shots.

The Model II incorporated minor improvements suggested by both the Austrians and German pioneer troops and was evaluated at the end of 1915. It was deemed satisfactory and another hundred were ordered. However, they were soon made obsolete by the better performance of the 12 cm Luftminenwerfer M 16 and shelved before the production run was finished.

References

* Ortner, M. Christian. "The Austro-Hungarian Artillery From 1867 to 1918: Technology, Organization, and Tactics". Vienna, Verlag Militaria, 2007 ISBN 978-3-902526-13-7