A report on the WWII German 200-mm spigot mortar, leichte Ladungswerfer 40, from Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 33, September 9, 1943. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

GERMAN 200-MM SPIGOT MORTAR The German 200-mm (7.9 in) spigot mortar leichte Ladungswerfer 40 is an engineer weapon, intended for use against minefields, wire, antitank obstacles, and weapon emplacements. It is of normal spigot design, the propellant case being attached to the top of the spigot before the bomb is loaded. Fixed ammunition is not used. The 200-mm spigot mortar bomb was described in Tactical and Technical Trends No. 16, page 32. The following additional information as to the mortar itself with accompanying sketch have recently been received from a British source. *          *          * a. General Description Total weight in action 205 lb Weight of bipod 43 lb Weight of spigot and supporting arm   73 1/2 lb Weight of base plate 84 lb Length of spigot 21.15 in Diameter of spigot 3.5 in System of operation Bomb electrically fired from spigot Range 766 yards max. with 46 lb HE bomb Sight Dial sight (Richtaufsatz 39) Transport Hand cart b. Ammunition The 46 pound HE bomb (200-mm Wurfranate 40), a smoke bomb (200-mm Wurfgranate 40 Nb), and "harpoon projectiles" are fired. The harpoon rounds are said to be used to project cords by means of which mines or a network of charges can be drawn onto dead ground. c. The Equipment This consists of a base plate, bipod mounting and spigot with supporting arm. (1) The base plate is of the familiar German mortar design, the bottom being formed with strengthening webs and spikes. (2) The bipod mounting is similar in construction to that of the 80-mm and 100-mm German mortars, the recoil arrangements however being of a more substantial nature. (3) The spigot consists of a drawn steel tube reduced at its lower end and screw-threaded externally to receive the supporting arm and base piece. It is bored transversely at its lower end to receive contact pieces and insulation for the electrical firing mechanism. A T-shaped contact tube is carried from these contact pieces up the inside of the spigot and is maintained centrally by an insulating spacing washer at the front end. The front end of the spigot is closed by a screw plug which is bored centrally to house a contact plug and insulating bushes, and also houses the firing needle and spring. The front face is prepared with an undercut groove to form a bayonet joint when the cartridge is placed in position. (4) The base piece screws on to the spigot and is formed with a ball at the rear end to engage in the socket of the base plate. (5) The supporting arm is tubular and elbow shaped. The rear end is formed with a boss which is bored to receive the spigot, the front end is solid and is screw-threaded to receive a collar for positioning in the cradle.

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