Their term for them was Minenwerfer, literally mine-thrower; they were initially assigned to engineer units in their siege warfare role.

By the Winter of 1916–17, they were transferred to infantry units where the leMW's light weight permitted them to accompany the foot-soldiers in the advance.

or neuer Art ("new version"), was fielded[1] that included a circular firing platform, giving a turntable effect, which permitted a full 360 degree traverse.

It also had a longer 16 inches (410 mm) barrel and could be used for direct fire between 0° and 27° elevation if the new 90 kg (200 lb) trail was fitted to absorb the recoil forces.

Later a flat-track carriage was created that allowed the mortar to be used both as a high-angle and flat trajectory launcher, performing some of the same tasks as field artillery.