M1 Mortar
Encyclopedia
The M1 is a United States
81 millimeter caliber
mortar
. It was used during World War II
well into the 1950s when it was replaced by the lighter and longer ranged M29 Mortar
. It was based on the French Brandt mortar
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
81 millimeter caliber
Caliber
In guns including firearms, caliber or calibre is the approximate internal diameter of the barrel in relation to the diameter of the projectile used in it....
mortar
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
. It was used during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
well into the 1950s when it was replaced by the lighter and longer ranged M29 Mortar
M29 Mortar
The M29 is a United States produced 81 millimeter calibre mortar. It began replacing the M1 Mortar in U.S. service in 1952 being lighter and with greater range. It was replaced by the M252 Mortar in 1984...
. It was based on the French Brandt mortar
Edgar Brandt
Edgar William Brandt was a French ironworker, prolific weapons designer and head of a company that designed 60mm, 81mm and 120mm mortars that were very widely copied throughout and subsequent to World War II...
.
General data
Weight:- Tube 44.5 lb (20 kg)
- Mount 46.5 lb (21 kg)
- Base plate 45 lb (20 kg)
- Total 136 pounds (61.7 kg)
Ammunition
- M43A1 Light HE: 6.87 lb (3.11 kg); range min 200 yd (183 m); range max 3290 yd (3010 m); 80% frag radius 25 yd (23 m) (comparing favorably with 75 mm howitzer); fast detonating fuzeFuzeFuze Beverage, commercially referred to as just Fuze , is a manufacturer of teas and non-carbonated fruit drinks enriched with vitamins. Currently the brand consists of five vitamin-infused lines: Slenderize, Refresh, Tea, Defensify, and Vitalize...
(explode on surface).
- M45, M45B1 Heavy HE: 10.62 lb (4.82 kg); range max 2558 yd (2064 m); bursting radius comparable with 105 mm howitzer; equipped with delay fuze so some penetration is possible for demolition use.
- M56 Heavy HE: 15.01 lb (6.81 kg); range max 1300 yards (1200 m); adjustable fuze for quick or delay operation.
- M57 WP (White PhosphorusWhite phosphorus (weapon)White phosphorus is a material made from a common allotrope of the chemical element phosphorus that is used in smoke, tracer, illumination and incendiary munitions. Other common names include WP, and the slang term "Willie Pete," which is dated from its use in Vietnam, and is still sometimes used...
): 10.74 lb (4.87 kg); range max 2470 yd (2260 m); designed to lay down screening smoke, but had definite anti-personnel and incendiary applications.
- M57 FS: 10.74 lb (4.87 kg), range max 2470 yd (2260 m); laid down dense white smoke.
- M301 Illuminating shell: range max 2200 yd (2012 m); attached to parachute; burned brightly (275,000 candelaCandelaThe candela is the SI base unit of luminous intensity; that is, power emitted by a light source in a particular direction, weighted by the luminosity function . A common candle emits light with a luminous intensity of roughly one candela...
s) for about 60 seconds, illuminating an area of about 150 yards (137 m) diameter; used M84 time fuze, adjustable from 5 to 25 seconds before priming charge detonated, releasing the illum and chute.
See also
- List of U.S. Army weapons by supply catalog designation SNL A-33
- M3 Half-trackM3 Half-trackThe Carrier, Personnel Half-track M3 was an armored vehicle used by the United States, the British Empire and the other Allies during World War II and the Cold War. Nearly 43,000 were produced, and supplied to the U.S...
External links
- 90th Infantry Division Preservation Group - page on 81 mm mortars and equipment
- Popular Science, August 1943, Pill Boxes Destroyer article on M1 81mm mortar