| The 81-mm Mortar of WW2 |
| from "The Mortar" by WL Ruffell |
|
In the late 1920s and the 1930s there arose a demand for a mortar heavier than the 50- and 60-mm types introduced during that period. The French firm of Brandt came up with the 'Mortier Brandt de 81 mm Modele 27/31' with which they captured much of the market, for it was bought, built under licence - or copied - by almost every army in Europe, and a few others besides. By 1939 the French had 8000 of them, most of which were captured in 1940 by the Germans who were well-pleased. As their Model 1934 81-mm granatenwerfer could fire the French ammunition they were doubly fortunate. The USSR made their Model 1936 with a calibre of 82-mm, allegedly so the Soviet and allied forces could fire the Western nations' ammunition but not the reverse.
The mortar fires in exactly the same way as the original Stokes, of which it is a copy.
|
Figure 33: Swiss Model 1933 81-mm Mortar. Note: This is a direct copy of the French Brandt Model 1927/31. Parts are: (a) Muzzle, (b) Sights, (c) Traversing wheel, (d) Elevating handle, (e) Barrel, (f) Bipod legs, (g) Base plate, (h) Muzzle cap.
Figure 34: Typical bomb for 81-mm mortar. Note the augmenting charges and the plastic gas check.