The following page on globalsecurity.org has some background on the Katyusha rockets. Some pictures of the missile launchers suspected of being used by Hizballah can be found on the AP Wire: 1, 2, 3. More portable single missile launchers exist as well.

The Katyusha, or Little Kate, was a rocket launcher mounted on a heavy truck that fired volleys of up to 48 rockets nearly four miles. The Katyusha was infamous among German troopers who quickly learned to dread its distinctive scream. They named the Katyusha “Stalin’s Organ.” Soviet guards mortar units were equipped with multiple rocket launchers, the famous katyushas, named after the title of a popular song of the time. Some military scholars credit the Katyusha for the relief of Stalingrad.

The word Katyusha is the tender diminutive of the female name Ekatherina (Katherine). For example, the diminutive for Natalia is Natasha, and the tender diminutive for Natasha is Natashenka. In the case of Ekaterina, Katya is the nickname and Katyusha, a tender diminutive. Katyusha is a Soviet song about a girl longing for her beloved, who is away on military service. The music was composed in 1938 by Matvei Blanter and the lyrics were written by Mikhail Isakovsky.

Yes, the Germans used to call the original version of the rocket what amounted to "Stalin's Cock". Considering the rockets currently used by Hizballah are radically different models from the ones the Russian's created, they should come up with a new name. Since the original version came from a song, keeping with that scheme makes sense. I suggest the "Oops, I did it again". Too long?

It is widely reported that Hizballah possesses over 5,000 Katyusha rockets, some of whcih can threaten the Galilee down to Haifa. In April 1996, in response to an increasingly intolerable attacks on northern Israel by Hizballah Katyusha rockets, the Israeli government launched Operation GRAPES OF WRATH. The operation involved heavy bombardment of south Lebanon. Israel maintained a security zone in southern Lebanon thereafter. Israel needs to protect civilians on its northern borders against terrorist rocket attacks, but the demonstrated failure of the Israel Defense Forces (the most powerful military force in the Middle East) to prevent Hizb'allah Katyusha attacks against northern Israel during Operation Grapes of Wrath demonstrated the magnitude of the challenge. Katyusha rockets, fired by Hizbollah extremists, slammed into northern Israel regularly until the Israeli pullout in June 2000.

On 03 January 2002, in Operation Noah’s Ark, Israel captured in the Red Sea the Karine-A, a Palestinian Authority freighter. The vessel was found to be carrying twelve-mile-range Katyusha rockets, antitank missiles, and high explosives. Israel and the United States alleged Hizballah had some link to the Palestinian weapons ship seized by Israel. Three Hizballah members arrested in Jordan were attempting to smuggle Katyusha rockets to the Palestinians (the detainees were later freed by the Jordanians at the request of the Lebanese government). Another fishing vessel carrying weapons to the Palestinians was sunk off the Lebanese coast by Israel in May 2002. Israel charged that the weapons and military cargo were purchased with the help of Hizballah. Hizballah rejected accusations of involvement in arms shipment.

On its most recent deployment, ending in September 2005, the USS Ashland supported the U.S. Marine 26th MEU in training & operations in the Mediterranean Sea & areas within the Middle East. The ship's mission also involved protecting Iraqi assets & improving international relations with fellow countries involved with the war on terrorism. While in port at Aquba, Jordan, the USS Ashland was fired upon by terrorists against the United States presence in the area. While the closest Katyusha rocket passed just over the bow of the ship, no damage was done to the ship nor casualties felt by the personnel on board. Due to the thorough training, vigilance, & the intense professionalism of her crew, the USS Ashland made preparations for underway & was out to sea within an hour. Her crew received the Combat Action ribbon for their performance during the attack.

In October 2005 the Israeli Defense Force deployed a sophisticated new radar system near the Gaza Strip, designed to give early warning to Israeli residents of incoming Katyusha missiles, Kassam rockets and possibly mortar rounds. Because Israeli forces are able to locate the source of fire and return fire, the terrorist organizations have developed special methods of action to avoid injury. They fire towards a target from a number of positions, changing positions frequently and constantly using new positions.

Katyusha Rocket