Battle Factory

[Ron Clifton]

A new series has just begun on the Yesterday Channel (Freeview 19) about the development and manufacture of military hardware and equipment of all kinds. It seems to emanate from Canada.

The first episode included a report on what I think was called the "252" mortar. It is very clear from looking at the weapon that it differs comparatively little from the Stokes mortar of a hundred years ago, and indeed the programme did bring out the connection. The baseplate, "cannon" and tripod were all described in detail and although the cannon is a lot more sophisticated, including cooling fins to keep the barrel temparature down when firing continuously, it still depends on dropping a projectile down the barrel on to a firing pin at the bottom. Sir Wilfred would certainly have recognised it!

Ron

[Stoppage Drill]

M252 is a US designation to describe their current 81mm mortar. It is merely an adaption of the standard British 81mm which came into service in the early 1960s, replacing the 3 inch mortar.

[Gareth Davies]

The 81mm mortar replaced the 3 inch mortar which replaced the Great War era Stokes mortar (which should be enough of a mention to keep this thread out of Skindles). The former has now been in service for almost 50 years whereas the Stokes and 3 inch were in use for approx 20 and 30yrs respectively.

[Terry_Reeves]

The 81mm was sold to the US by the British. The US military asked for a sound suppressor to be fitted to the muzzle. ROF Llantrisant in south Wales was asked to supply the ammunition. The Americans asked for the ends of the plastic obturating rings to be spot welded together because they said their troops were likely to wear them as bracelets. No such problem with the WW1 Stokes of course.

TR