OSPREY NEW VANGUARD 54: INFANTRY MORTARS OF WORLD WAR II

By John Norris

Osprey Publishing 2002 - ISBN 1 84176 414 0

48pp - Paperback - numerous b/w illustrations, numerous colour plates and maps.

£8.99

Osprey's New Vanguard series looks at the weaponry of warfare, and this latest title examines one of the most important infantry weapons of WW2 - the Mortar.

Any account of front line warfare in WW2, and especially during the Normandy campaign, will soon reveal how important the mortar was - and how much it could affect morale and cause casualties. A very high proportion of British casualties in the Bocage were from mortars, and many units broke under a continuous 'stonking' from some of the larger German examples.

The book looks at the development of the mortar, defines what a mortar is and what it could do, and then looks at the different combattant nations and the types and range of mortar weapons used. These are then illustrated with some good photographs and excellent colour plates - which also include examples of various ammunition types.

A very useful book for the military historian, military modeller or war gamer wishing to know more about this important battlefield weapon. Recommended.