Multiple launch rocket systems BM-13, known throughout the world under the affectionate name "Katyusha", became a symbol of Soviet military power and innovative approach to artillery. This weapon, capable of covering an area of several hectares with dense fire in a matter of seconds, radically changed combat tactics in the Second World War. But when exactly did this formidable machine appear, and what circumstances influenced its creation?
Many people mistakenly believe that the Katyusha was developed during the Great Patriotic War as a response to the German invasion. Actually first prototypes of rocket launchers were tested long before 1941, and the concept of multiple rocket launchers itself was developed by Soviet designers in the strictest secrecy. The date of official adoption is just the tip of the iceberg: behind it are years of experiments, failures and breakthrough decisions.
In this article we will reveal exact development timeframes BM-13, we’ll talk about the key figures who were at the origins of the project, and explain why this particular weapon became one of the most effective in history. Archival documents, testimonies from engineers and combat reports will help restore the chronology of events without myths and speculation.
Official date of creation of “Katyusha”: what the documents say
According to declassified materials Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the first mention of the multiple launch rocket launcher project refers to 1938. It was then in Jet Research Institute (RNII) under the leadership Georgy Erichovich Langemak Systematic work began on the creation of a mobile launch platform for rockets.
However official date of adoption considered June 21, 1941 - one day before the start of the Great Patriotic War. The irony of history: the resolution of the State Defense Committee (GKO) on the launch of mass production BM-13 was signed at the height of the evacuation of enterprises to the east of the country. The first combat vehicles rolled off the assembly line Voronezh plant named after. Comintern already in July 1941.
Fun fact: name "Katyusha" not used in official documents. It appeared later as a soldier’s nickname, given for the characteristic whistle of shells and the inscription K on machine bodies (manufacturer's designation Comintern). In the technical documentation the installation was listed as "BM-13" (combat vehicle with 13 guides) or "M-13" (by type of projectile).
- 📅 1938 — the beginning of development at the RNII under the leadership of Langemak.
- 🔧 1939–1940 — testing prototypes at a test site in the Moscow region.
- ✅ June 21, 1941 - Adoption of the Red Army.
- ⚡ July 1941 - first combat use near Orsha and Smolensk.
Who was behind the creation: key figures of the project
The development of Katyusha was the result of the work of a whole team of engineers, but there are names without whom the project would not have been possible. The main ideologist and scientific director was Georgy Langemak - jet engine specialist, student Friedrich Zander. It was he who in 1933 headed Jet Propulsion Research Group (GIRD), later transformed into RNII.
Played an equally important role Ivan Gwai - designer responsible for creating M-13 missiles. His developments formed the basis for all modifications of the Katyusha. But he was responsible for the chassis and mechanical parts Andrey Kostikov, adapted the truck ZiS-6 under the launcher. Interestingly, the first prototypes were mounted on T-26 tanks and armored cars BA-20, but this idea was quickly abandoned due to low mobility.
The figure stands apart Sergei Korolev - future chief designer of Soviet cosmonautics. In 1938–1940, he worked at the RNII on improving rockets, but was repressed in 1938 and returned to the project only after his release in 1944. His contribution to the development of Katyushas is often downplayed, although it was Korolev who proposed the use stabilizing grids on the tail of projectiles to improve accuracy.
Technical characteristics of the BM-13: why it was more effective than artillery
The main advantage of the Katyusha over traditional artillery was instant destruction of large areas. One car could release in 7–10 seconds 16 shells (in later modifications - up to 32), each of which carried 4.9 kg explosives. For comparison: standard 122 mm howitzer that time spent at least 2-3 minutes on the same salvo.
Key technical parameters BM-13 (modification 1941):
| Parameter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Projectile caliber | 132 mm |
| Firing range | up to 8.5 km |
| Full salvo time | 7–10 seconds |
| Projectile mass | 42.5 kg |
| Weight of combat vehicle | 7.2 tons |
The secret of high efficiency lies in reactive principle: shells were accelerated due to the thrust of the powder charge, and not ballistics, as in barrel artillery. This made it possible to do without massive trunks and carriages. However, this approach also had a drawback: low accuracy. The dispersion of shells reached 150–200 m at the maximum distance, so the Katyushas were used exclusively for shooting at areas (accumulations of equipment, infantry, fortifications).
Another innovation - electric starting system. The operator pressed a button on the remote control, and all 16 shells went into the sky almost simultaneously. For comparison: German Nebelwerfer (analogous to the Katyusha) required manual launch of each projectile, which took up to 30 seconds.
⚠️ Attention: Despite its legendary status, Katyusha had critical vulnerabilities. For example, after a salvo the car left behind smoke trail up to 2 km long, which instantly unmasked her position. German pilots learned to track these traces and strike back according to the calculations.
First combat use: how Katyushas changed the course of the war
Debut BM-13 happened at the front July 14, 1941 under the city Orsha (Belarus). Division of 7 vehicles under the command of a captain Ivan Flerov fired a salvo at a concentration of German equipment at the railway station. The effect exceeded all expectations: up to 20 armored vehicles and up to 100 soldiers. The main thing is psychological shock: for the first time the Germans encountered a weapon capable of delivering such a blow in a few seconds.
The success at Orsha became a catalyst for mass production. By the end of 1941 it was released 500 BM-13, and by 1945 - more 10 000. Katyushas were used in all key operations:
- 🔥 Battle for Moscow (1941) - volleys at Wehrmacht columns on the Volokolamsk highway.
- 🏗️ Battle of Stalingrad (1942–1943) - destruction of fortifications in the city.
- 🚂 Kursk Bulge (1943) — suppression of enemy artillery positions.
- 🏛️ Berlin operation (1945) - shelling of the center of the German capital.
It is curious that the Germans tried to create similar weapons (Nebelwerfer 41), but their systems were inferior to Katyushas in terms of range (maximum 6.9 km), rate of fire and mobility. Soviet engineers constantly improved the design: by 1944, modifications appeared BM-8 (82 mm shells) and BM-31 (“Andryusha” with 300 mm shells for destroying bunkers).
The Myth of the "Secret Weapon"
Why couldn't the Germans copy the Katyusha?: German intelligence managed to capture several captured BM-13s already in 1941, but failed to reproduce the technology. The main problem is that Soviet shells were used unique powder composition with additives that increase cravings. In addition, in Germany there were no analogues of light and durable chromansil steels, from which the guides were made. Attempts to copy led to the creation Nebelwerfer, which was heavier, less reliable and had a shorter range.
The evolution of "Katyusha": from BM-13 to modern "Smerch"
After the war, the development of jet systems did not stop. At the base BM-13 were created:
- 🚀 BM-21 "Grad" (1963) - caliber
122 mm, range20 km, 40 guides. - 🔥 9K52 "Luna-M" (1964) - tactical missile system with a range
70 km. - ⚡ 9K58 "Smerch" (1987) - modern MLRS with a range
90 kmand adjustable projectiles.
Modern MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems) retained the basic principles of the Katyusha: mobility, high rate of fire and hitting area targets. However, today they are equipped with guidance systems, which allows them to hit targets with an accuracy of 50 meters at a distance 100+ km.
I wonder what BM-13 remained in service with some countries until 1980s. For example, in Vietnam and Afghanistan Soviet military specialists trained local troops to use these machines. The last known case of combat use of the original Katyushas was recorded in 1990s during conflicts in the post-Soviet space.
☑️ How to distinguish the original BM-13 from later modifications
Little-known facts: what the archives hid
Even decades later, the history of Katyusha keeps secrets. Here are a few facts that are rarely mentioned in open sources:
- The first victims are our own. During tests in 1939 at the test site under Shchurovo (now Ukraine) an accident occurred: during an unauthorized launch they died
7 people, including two engineers. The incident was classified, and the project was almost closed. - "Katyusha" at the Victory Parade. In 1945, they marched across Red Square
48 BM-13, but these were not combat vehicles, but layouts - the actual installations were worn out to the limit by that time. - Export to China. In the 1950s, the USSR transferred production technology to China BM-13. Chinese engineers have released a copy of it called Type 63, which was used in the Vietnam War.
Another interesting point: in 1943 the Germans developed a special anti-aircraft system to fight the Katyushas - Flakvierling 38 with four 20 mm cannons. However, its effectiveness was low: the shells BM-13 flew at speed 350 m/s, and it was almost impossible to shoot them down in flight.
⚠️ Attention: There is a myth that Katyushas fired “fire shells.” In fact, the ammunition included only high explosive (high explosive) and incendiary shells. The “fiery effect” was created by the detonation of a large amount of explosives in a small area, but no special incendiary mixtures (as in napalm) were used.
Where can you see Katyusha today: museums and monuments
Original BM-13 today it is a rarity, but several copies have survived in museums around the world:
- 🏛️ Central Museum of the Armed Forces (Moscow) - one of the first production cars.
- 🎖️ Museum of the Great Patriotic War on Poklonnaya Hill — restored combat installation.
- 🌍 Imperial War Museum (London) - a captured example captured by the British in 1945.
- 🇨🇳 Military Museum of the Chinese Revolution (Beijing) — Type 63, Chinese copy.
In addition, “Katyushas” have been immortalized in the form of monuments in more than 50 cities CIS. The most famous:
- 📍 Orsha (Belarus) - at the site of the first combat use.
- 📍 Voronezh (Russia) - at the plant where cars were produced.
- 📍 Kyiv (Ukraine) — on the territory of the Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War.
If you are planning to visit one of these museums, pay attention to serial numbers cars On the original BM-13 Factory nameplates were often preserved with the following designations:
- 🔢
ZiS-6— chassis of the Voronezh plant. - 🔢
HF— Kominternovsky plant (Voronezh). - 🔢
M-13UK- enhanced action projectiles.
When examining museum Katyushas, pay attention to the guides: on original cars they have T-section, and not round, like later models.
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about Katyusha
Why was “Katyusha” called “Stalin’s organ”?
This name appeared among German soldiers due to the external similarity of the projectile guides with organ pipes. In addition, the Katyusha salvo produced a sound reminiscent of the music of this instrument. Goebbels' propaganda used the term "Stalinorgel" to demonize Soviet weapons.
How many Katyushas were produced during the war?
The exact data varies, but according to archival sources, from 1941 to 1945 there were about 10,000 BM-13 and its modifications. The peak of production occurred in 1943–1944, when up to 500 cars.
Could Katyushas fire nuclear weapons?
No, BM-13 was not adapted for nuclear projectiles. However, in the 1950s, based on its successor - BM-21 "Grad" — tactical nuclear weapons were tested low power (up to 10 kilotons). Such shells were not mass-produced.
Why were Katyushas not used in Afghanistan?
In Afghanistan (1979–1989) BM-13 were already considered obsolete. Instead they were used BM-21 "Grad" and 9K52 "Luna-M", which had greater range and accuracy. However, some batches of old shells M-13 were supplied to Afghan rebels through Pakistan.
Do combat Katyushas exist today?
Original BM-13 They have long been withdrawn from service, but their modernized versions are still in service with some countries. For example, Type 63 (Chinese clone) was used in conflicts in the Middle East until 2010s. In Russia, the latest modification is BM-13NM - was written off in 1980s.