107mm M1938 mortar

107mm mortar M1938
Type Mortar
Place of origin Soviet Union
Service history
Wars World War II
Vietnam War
2011 Libyan civil war
Specifications
Weight combat: 170 kg (370 lb)
Barrel length 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Diameter 107mm
Crew 5
Shell 9.1 kg (20 lb) bomb
Caliber 107 mm (4.2 in)
Breech muzzle loaded
Elevation 45° to 80°
Traverse 3°
Rate of fire 15 rpm
Muzzle velocity 302 m/s (990 ft/s)
Effective firing range 6,300 m (6,900 yd)
Filling TNT
Filling weight 1.0 kg (2 lb 3 oz) (OF-841A)

The Soviet 107mm M1938 mortar was a scaled-down version of the 120mm M1938 mortar intended for use by mountain troops and light enough to be towed by animals on a trolley.[1]

History

In World War II, the 107mm mortar saw service with Soviet mountain infantry as a divisional artillery weapon.[2] Its last significant use in battle was in the Vietnam War. The ability to break down the weapon made it particularly suited to the rugged terrain of Vietnam.[3]

The mortar fired a lighter high explosive round (OF-841) and a heavier HE round (OF-841A). The lighter HE round actually carried a larger bursting charge than the heavier round.[4] Both rounds used GVMZ-series point detonation fuzes.

Recently, the weapon has been seen in use by rebel forces during the 2011 Libyan civil war.[5]

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

Notes

  1. ↑ Ian Hogg (ed.), Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984-85, p. 636, London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1984
  2. ↑ Steven Zaloga and Leland Ness, Red Army Handbook 1939-1945, p. 47, Phoenix Mill: Sutton, 1998
  3. ↑ skysoldier17.com
  4. ↑ Defense Intelligence Agency, Projectile Fragment Identification Guide, pp. 201-202, Washington: GPO, 1973
  5. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwdqzTlXvl8

External links


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