|
2-inch Mortar
The 2-inch
Mortar was a mortar used by the Canadian Army during the Second World War.
The weapon was
small and was used at the Infantry Platoon level, issued one per platoon
and forming part of the platoon headquarters section, with a crew of two
(Number One (gunner) and Number Two (loader)). The weapon was extremely
small and light, and had no bipod; the weapon was fired while the Number
One held the weapon in position.
Aiming was done
by a simple line of sight from the firer's eye, aided by a set of simple
iron sights as well as a white line painted vertically on the barrel of
the mortar. Since the barrel was so short, the firing mechanism normally
associated with modern mortars (a fixed firing pin striking the base of
the bomb as it was dropped down the tube) was modified by the addition of
a trigger which was manually fired.
Ammunition
The mortar
fired cylindrical bombs which had a perforated four finned tail. The
mortar fired both High Explosive and smoke rounds, the former with an
impact fuze was fitted in the nose of the bomb. An illumination round was
also used.
-
Length: 21
inches (53cm)
-
Weight: 10½
lbs (4.8kg)
-
Firing
mechanism: Trip
-
Elevation:
45-90°
-
Ammunition
(with round weight)
-
High
Explosive: 2 lb 2 oz. (1kg)
-
Smoke: 2 lb
(909g)
-
Illuminating:
1 lb 5 oz. (596g)
-
Range: 500
yards (457m)
-
Rate of fire:
8 rounds per minute
A smaller
version, the Mark VIII, was issued to airborne units.
 |
 |
| Photos of 2-inch mortar
crews from the Australian War Memorial (left) and Imperial War
Museum (right). |
 |
