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ML 3-inch mortar

January 01, 1970

This article is about the Second World War mortar. For the First World War Stokes mortar, see Stokes mortar.

The Ordnance ML 3-inch mortar was the United Kingdom's standard mortar used by the British Army from the early 1930s to the late 1960s, superseding the Stokes mortar. Initially handicapped by its short range compared to similar Second World War mortars, improvements of the propellant charges enabled it to be used with great satisfaction by various armies of the British Empire and of the Commonwealth.

Ordnance ML 3-inch mortar
Canadian 3-inch mortar team, training post war
TypeMortar
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
Used bySee Users
WarsSecond World War
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948[1]
1948 Arab–Israeli War
Korean War
Suez Crisis[2]
Sino-Indian War[3]
Nigerian Civil War
Soviet-Afghan War
Production history
Designed1930s
Specifications
Mass
  • Base plate/sight: 37 lb (17 kg)
  • Barrel/spares: 34 lb (15 kg)
  • Bipod: 44.5 lb (20.2 kg)
  • Total: 115.5 lb (52.4 kg)
Length4 ft 3 in (1.3 m)
Barrel length3 ft 11 in (1.19 m)[4]
ShellBomb 10 lb (4.5 kg)
Calibre3.21 in (81.5 mm)
Elevation+45° to +80°
Traverse11°[4]
Muzzle velocity650 ft/s (200 m/s)
Maximum firing rangeMk.II: 1,600 yd (1,500 m)
Mk.II LR: 2,800 yd (2,600 m)

Design edit

The ML 3-inch mortar is a conventional Stokes-type mortar that is muzzle-loaded and drop-fired. It also reuses many of the Brandt mortar features.[5]

 
Tail unit of Ordnance ML 3-inch mortar bomb fired by the Royal Jordanian Army on 5 June 1967. The ICI made white phosphorus bomb landed in Israeli part of Jerusalem, causing minor damage.

History edit

 
In action in Burma, 1944

Based on their experience in the First World War, the British infantry sought some sort of artillery for close support. The initial plan was for special batteries of artillery, but the cost was prohibitive and the mortar was accepted instead.

 
Lieutenant General Sir Bernard Paget, C-in-C Home Forces, inspecting a 3-inch mortar crew, 9 January 1943.

The Mark II mortar (Mark I was the Stokes) was adopted by the British Army in the early 1930s; and this was the standard British mortar when the Second World War broke out in September 1939. Experience in the early part of the war showed that, although the Mark II was reliable and sturdy, it did not have sufficient range compared to the German 81 mm s.GW.34 mortar. A series of experiments and trials using new propellants improved the range from 1600 yards to 2800 yards by about 1942; and, by 1943, the barrel, baseplate and sights had also been improved.[5][6] Although called the '3-inch mortar' by the British Army, its calibre was actually 3.21 in (81.5 mm).[5]

The ML 3-inch mortar was carried on three packs by infantry or on Universal Carriers.[6]

The Mark II remained in service with the British Army until replaced by the L16 81mm mortar in 1965.

Modifications edit

The Canadian Army modified some of its 3-inch mortars, lengthening them to increase their range. This modification was abandoned as it was considered too heavy.

The Australian Army, for its part, shortened the barrel for use in jungle.[6]

Users edit

 
Returned & Services League building, Roma, Queensland

See also edit

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era edit

Gallery edit

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References edit

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ a b Gates, Scott; Roy, Kaushik (2014). Unconventional Warfare in South Asia: Shadow Warriors and Counterinsurgency (1st ed.). Routledge. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-138-25298-1.
  2. ^ Varble, Derek (25 March 2003). The Suez Crisis 1956. Essential Histories 49. Osprey Publishing. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-84176-418-4.
  3. ^ a b Subramanian, L.N. (November–December 2000). . Bharat Rakshak Monitor. 3 (3). Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2007.
  4. ^ a b Chamberlain, Peter (1975). Mortars and rockets. Gander, Terry. New York: Arco Pub. Co. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-668-03817-1. OCLC 2067459.
  5. ^ a b c Bishop 1998, p. 194.
  6. ^ a b c Norris 2002, p. 13.
  7. ^ Isby, David C. (1990). The War in Afghanistan 1979-1989: The Soviet Empire at High Tide. Concord Publications. p. 15. ISBN 978-9623610094.
  8. ^ a b c d Norris 2002, p. 43.
  9. ^ Jowett, Philip (2016). Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967–70. Oxford: Osprey Publishing Press. pp. 22–23. ISBN 978-1-4728-1609-2.
  10. ^ Ilan, Amitzur (1996). The Origin of the Arab-Israeli Arms Race: Arms, Embargo, Military Power and Decision in the 1948 Palestine War. St Antony's Series. Palgrave Macmillan UK. pp. 40, 133. doi:10.1007/978-1-349-13696-4. ISBN 978-1-349-13696-4.
  11. ^ Iraqi army equipment 1930-2017. Vol. 2. p. 18.
  12. ^ Young, Peter (1972). The Arab Legion. Men-at-Arms. Osprey Publishing. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-85045-084-2.
  13. ^ Norris 2002, p. 5.
  14. ^ Jowett 2016, p. 20.
  15. ^ Zaloga, Steven J. (1982). The Polish Army 1939–45. Men-at-Arms 117. Osprey Publishing. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-85045-417-8.
  16. ^ "WWII weapons in Yemen's civil war". wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com. 9 September 2018.[self-published source]
  17. ^ Vukšić, Velimir (July 2003). Tito's partisans 1941–45. Warrior 73. Osprey Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-84176-675-1.

Bibliography edit

  • Bishop, Chris, ed. (1998). "Ordnance, ML 2-inch Mortar". The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. New York: Orbis Publishing Ltd. p. 193. ISBN 0-7607-1022-8.
  • Norris, John (11 December 2002). Infantry Mortars of World War II. New Vanguard 54. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-414-6.
  • Boyd, David, British Mortars of the Second World War, www.wwiiequipment.com.au, retrieved 23 October 2016.
  • War Office, Handbook for the Ordnance, M.L 3-Inch Mortar, Mark II, on Mounting, 3-inch Mortar, Mark I Land Service 1937, His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1937.
  • War Office, Army Council, Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 9, Mortar (3-inch) 1939, His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1937.
  • War Office, Army Council, Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet No. 9, Amendment No.1, Mortar (3-inch) 1943, His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1937.
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ordnance ML 3 inch Mortar.

January 01, 1970
inch, mortar, this, article, about, second, world, mortar, first, world, stokes, mortar, stokes, mortar, ordnance, united, kingdom, standard, mortar, used, british, army, from, early, 1930s, late, 1960s, superseding, stokes, mortar, initially, handicapped, sho. This article is about the Second World War mortar For the First World War Stokes mortar see Stokes mortar The Ordnance ML 3 inch mortar was the United Kingdom s standard mortar used by the British Army from the early 1930s to the late 1960s superseding the Stokes mortar Initially handicapped by its short range compared to similar Second World War mortars improvements of the propellant charges enabled it to be used with great satisfaction by various armies of the British Empire and of the Commonwealth Ordnance ML 3 inch mortarCanadian 3 inch mortar team training post warTypeMortarPlace of originUnited KingdomService historyUsed bySee UsersWarsSecond World WarIndo Pakistani War of 1947 1948 1 1948 Arab Israeli WarKorean WarSuez Crisis 2 Sino Indian War 3 Nigerian Civil WarSoviet Afghan WarProduction historyDesigned1930sSpecificationsMassBase plate sight 37 lb 17 kg Barrel spares 34 lb 15 kg Bipod 44 5 lb 20 2 kg Total 115 5 lb 52 4 kg Length4 ft 3 in 1 3 m Barrel length3 ft 11 in 1 19 m 4 ShellBomb 10 lb 4 5 kg Calibre3 21 in 81 5 mm Elevation 45 to 80 Traverse11 4 Muzzle velocity650 ft s 200 m s Maximum firing rangeMk II 1 600 yd 1 500 m Mk II LR 2 800 yd 2 600 m Contents 1 Design 2 History 2 1 Modifications 3 Users 4 See also 4 1 Weapons of comparable role performance and era 5 Gallery 6 References 6 1 Footnotes 6 2 BibliographyDesign editThe ML 3 inch mortar is a conventional Stokes type mortar that is muzzle loaded and drop fired It also reuses many of the Brandt mortar features 5 nbsp Tail unit of Ordnance ML 3 inch mortar bomb fired by the Royal Jordanian Army on 5 June 1967 The ICI made white phosphorus bomb landed in Israeli part of Jerusalem causing minor damage History edit nbsp In action in Burma 1944 Based on their experience in the First World War the British infantry sought some sort of artillery for close support The initial plan was for special batteries of artillery but the cost was prohibitive and the mortar was accepted instead nbsp Lieutenant General Sir Bernard Paget C in C Home Forces inspecting a 3 inch mortar crew 9 January 1943 The Mark II mortar Mark I was the Stokes was adopted by the British Army in the early 1930s and this was the standard British mortar when the Second World War broke out in September 1939 Experience in the early part of the war showed that although the Mark II was reliable and sturdy it did not have sufficient range compared to the German 81 mm s GW 34 mortar A series of experiments and trials using new propellants improved the range from 1600 yards to 2800 yards by about 1942 and by 1943 the barrel baseplate and sights had also been improved 5 6 Although called the 3 inch mortar by the British Army its calibre was actually 3 21 in 81 5 mm 5 The ML 3 inch mortar was carried on three packs by infantry or on Universal Carriers 6 The Mark II remained in service with the British Army until replaced by the L16 81mm mortar in 1965 Modifications edit The Canadian Army modified some of its 3 inch mortars lengthening them to increase their range This modification was abandoned as it was considered too heavy The Australian Army for its part shortened the barrel for use in jungle 6 Users edit nbsp Returned amp Services League building Roma Queensland nbsp Afghanistan used by the anti Soviet insurgents in the 1980s 7 nbsp Australia 8 nbsp Biafra 9 nbsp Canada 8 nbsp Egypt 10 nbsp Greece nbsp India 3 nbsp Iraq 11 nbsp Ireland citation needed nbsp Italy 1944 1946 citation needed nbsp Jordan 12 nbsp Luxembourg citation needed nbsp Myanmar Myanmar Army Inherited from British Burma Army and also bought from India Main Medium mortar used till 1970s 13 nbsp New Zealand 8 nbsp Nigeria 14 nbsp Pakistan 1 nbsp Philippines citation needed nbsp Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West 15 nbsp South Yemen 16 nbsp Tibet citation needed nbsp United Kingdom 8 nbsp Yugoslavia Used by Yugoslavian Partisans 17 See also editStokes mortar British WWI predecessor List of infantry mortars Weapons of comparable role performance and era edit 8 cm Granatwerfer 34 German WWII equivalent 82 BM 37 amp 82 PM 41 Soviet WWII equivalents Brandt Mle 27 31 French WWII equivalent M1 mortar US WWII equivalent Type 97 81 mm infantry mortar Japanese WWII equivalentGallery edit nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp References editFootnotes edit a b Gates Scott Roy Kaushik 2014 Unconventional Warfare in South Asia Shadow Warriors and Counterinsurgency 1st ed Routledge p 94 ISBN 978 1 138 25298 1 Varble Derek 25 March 2003 The Suez Crisis 1956 Essential Histories 49 Osprey Publishing p 57 ISBN 978 1 84176 418 4 a b Subramanian L N November December 2000 The Battle of Chushul Bharat Rakshak Monitor 3 3 Archived from the original on 2 February 2007 Retrieved 24 April 2007 a b Chamberlain Peter 1975 Mortars and rockets Gander Terry New York Arco Pub Co p 18 ISBN 978 0 668 03817 1 OCLC 2067459 a b c Bishop 1998 p 194 a b c Norris 2002 p 13 Isby David C 1990 The War in Afghanistan 1979 1989 The Soviet Empire at High Tide Concord Publications p 15 ISBN 978 9623610094 a b c d Norris 2002 p 43 Jowett Philip 2016 Modern African Wars 5 The Nigerian Biafran War 1967 70 Oxford Osprey Publishing Press pp 22 23 ISBN 978 1 4728 1609 2 Ilan Amitzur 1996 The Origin of the Arab Israeli Arms Race Arms Embargo Military Power and Decision in the 1948 Palestine War St Antony s Series Palgrave Macmillan UK pp 40 133 doi 10 1007 978 1 349 13696 4 ISBN 978 1 349 13696 4 Iraqi army equipment 1930 2017 Vol 2 p 18 Young Peter 1972 The Arab Legion Men at Arms Osprey Publishing p 24 ISBN 978 0 85045 084 2 Norris 2002 p 5 Jowett 2016 p 20 Zaloga Steven J 1982 The Polish Army 1939 45 Men at Arms 117 Osprey Publishing p 21 ISBN 978 0 85045 417 8 WWII weapons in Yemen s civil war wwiiafterwwii wordpress com 9 September 2018 self published source Vuksic Velimir July 2003 Tito s partisans 1941 45 Warrior 73 Osprey Publishing p 25 ISBN 978 1 84176 675 1 Bibliography edit Bishop Chris ed 1998 Ordnance ML 2 inch Mortar The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II New York Orbis Publishing Ltd p 193 ISBN 0 7607 1022 8 Norris John 11 December 2002 Infantry Mortars of World War II New Vanguard 54 Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 84176 414 6 Boyd David British Mortars of the Second World War www wwiiequipment com au retrieved 23 October 2016 War Office Handbook for the Ordnance M L 3 Inch Mortar Mark II on Mounting 3 inch Mortar Mark I Land Service 1937 His Majesty s Stationery Office London 1937 War Office Army Council Small Arms Training Volume I Pamphlet No 9 Mortar 3 inch 1939 His Majesty s Stationery Office London 1937 War Office Army Council Small Arms Training Volume I Pamphlet No 9 Amendment No 1 Mortar 3 inch 1943 His Majesty s Stationery Office London 1937 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ordnance ML 3 inch Mortar Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title ML 3 inch mortar amp oldid 1195243671, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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