Mortar is an artillery gun, which is equipped with a short barrel (mainly 15 caliber), designed for mounted type of firing. The gun is focused on the destruction of especially strong defensive structures, and is also aimed at destroying targets that are hidden behind strong dugouts or trenches. Consider the features of this product, as well as its development from the time of creation to the present.
History of Creation
Mortar is a weapon that has been used since the 15th century. In a modern interpretation, this term is sometimes called mortars of a certain caliber. In military slang, the word in question is a designation for short-barreled guns that are not equipped with a thrust plate.
The term "mortar" itself was used in Russia under Peter the Great in relation to artillery pieces in the configuration of long-barreled guns, as well as their short-barreled counterparts. Then such guns were divided into howitzers, mortars and guns for flat fire.
The main purpose of the weapon:
- defeat of manpowerenemy;
- elimination of hidden trenches and walls of fortifications;
- destruction of buildings and fortifications during sieges.
The multi-barreled mortar usually used iron cannonballs. The metallurgy of that time was not able to produce shells with thin walls, which could not make it possible to withstand a shot from a gun without breaking.
The filling of the mortar, the photo of which is presented below, could be equipped with various explosives that affect the speed of the cannonball, as well as the distance of movement when fired. Taking into account the parameters of the effort during the shot and the final result, the effect of salvo fire corresponded to the howitzer. This option was intermediate, contributing to the possibility of recharging the core when the charge was overloaded, even with an excess size. Ancient modifications reached enormous sizes, were transported on special separate carts, after which they were unloaded to the ground for movement in the stowed position.
Increase mobility
The first attempts to put a cannon mortar on railway platforms were made in 1861 (during the American Civil War). This decision made it possible to speed up the delivery of artillery to the remote units of the southern army. A similar experience in transporting guns was used repeatedly. In 1864, analogues with a caliber of 13 inches were based on the platform. They were involved in the siege of Pittsburgh, firing charges weighing about 100 kg at a distance of up to 5 kilometers. In the European part, such modifications began to be exploited in 1871 (the siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussianwars). This deployment of artillery made it possible to shell the city from different sides.
Development at the end of the 19th century
The word "mortar" surfaced at the end of the 19th century, when Germany decided to organize mobile squads of siege units. These units included 21 mortars and six 150 mm howitzers. They were converted from bronze cannons by inserting a steel pipe into them. A similar method was widely used at that time in the modernization of cast iron and bronze tools.
This weapon was not very maneuverable, however, it made it possible to deliver the kit relatively quickly to the desired sector of the front. Following the Germans, Poland, Austria and some other European countries followed the same path. As a rule, in addition to mortars, howitzers were included in the ammunition load. When fired, the rollback speed was very significant, which caused strong jumps and movement of the gun to the sides. In this regard, the restoration of the original position of weapons required additional physical and time costs.
20th century
At the beginning of the 20th century, the design of howitzers and mortars practically coincided with analogues of other artillery pieces of this type. The differences were only in barrel length and caliber. Among the modifications of the mortar, the following variations can be distinguished:
- "Skoda" - equipped with shells weighing 384 kg (sample 1911).
- "Krupp" - operated by the Russian army in the First World War, had a range of about 4 kilometers.
- Mortars-mortars thatappeared during the war of 1914 and combined the power of guns and the rate of fire of mortars.
Disadvantages of the gun: low rate of fire, difficulty in delivering ammunition, fatigue of the gun crew due to the same factors.
In the same period, howitzers-mortars were developed, which serve to destroy especially strong fortifications and objects of increased strength. The guns had an elongated barrel and a lower elevation angle.
World War II
Closer to the 40s of the last century, mortars were 280 mm howitzers. Another option (German mortar) is the Karlgeret-600. Subsequently, such guns were replaced by mortars. In the German army, the design of the mortar was not completely forgotten, despite the fact that the short-barreled versions were inferior to standard guns. After the Battle of Stalingrad, Hitler ordered the development of modernized analogues designed for siege operations. At the same time, the problem of rate of fire has not disappeared anywhere. Many experts note that the use of such tools was an unnecessary waste of time and money. Bombing was more effective, given the fact that Germany had a decent supply of large bombers.
Popular modifications
The following is a list of the most used mortars at all times since the creation of this weapon:
- German modification "16" caliber 210 mm.
- Malbork.
- Russian version of the 1727 gun. Caliber - 0.68feet, weight - 705 kg.
- "The Dictator" is the American version used during the Civil War.
- Skoda (1911).
- Karlgeret is a German mortar from World War II.
Modernity
Among the modern analogues of the gun in question, an Israeli product called "Sherman" can be noted. The gun is placed on a caterpillar track. The technique was used in the middle of the last century. The caliber of the weapon was 160 mm. After the end of World War II, mortars finally fell out of use. They were replaced by mortars, howitzers and multiple rocket launchers. In the Red Army, during the military campaign of 1941-1945, guns of this type were used under the name BR-5. Only 47 were made.
Finally
Mortar is an artillery piece equipped with a shortened barrel (the length is at least 15 calibers). It is intended for mounted shooting, designed to destroy defensive fortifications, which are particularly durable. In addition, the gun was used to destroy trenches and shelters. In the modern army (in some countries), the concepts of "mortar" and "mortar" have the same meaning. The essence of the weapon is that the recoil without a reinforcing plate is transmitted directly to the ground.
