PM-38
Encyclopedia
The PM-38 was a Soviet 50 mm light infantry
mortar
, developed as a variant of the M1938
120 mm mortar. The barrel was clamped at two elevation angles only - 45 and 75 degrees. Range variations were made by altering a sleeve round the base of the barrel. This sleeve opened a series of gas ports which bled off exhaust gases and so determined the range.
The project was deemed overly complex and expensive, and was only produced for a short time, before being replaced by the Model 1939. Despite the small number produced, some fell into German
hands in 1941, who introduced them as the 5 cm Granatwerfer 205/1(r).
The Red Army
of the USSR divided mortars into company (PM) battalion (BM) and regimental (HM) mortars. Development of a light 50mm company mortar started in 1937. The PM-38 was approved for use in 1938 and entered production in 1939. In the space of just over a year PM-39, PM-40 and PM-41 replaced each other in succession. PM-41 remained in production until 1943, when the USSR decided to cease making 50mm mortars. Only PM-41 was new design the others being incremental improvements of the original PM-38.
PM-39 added a protective shield which directed the escaping hot gases away from the operator.
Barrels got shorter with each new model.
service. This mortar was without a tripod but instead relied on its barrel yoke which contained traverse and elevation adjustments. The gases now vented under the muzzle via a tube.
. Captured in large numbers they were also re-used by the Finns and Germans. After World War II the USSR supplied them to North Korea and Vietnam.
The Finns were apparently not impressed with these Russian 50mm mortars, giving them mildly derogatory nicknames - "Naku" and "Tiltu", and not being over-zealous about re-issuing them.
The Finns found the PM-39 relatively accurate in use and setting the mortar ready to fire took only about one minute. The mortar was no substitute for the 80-82mm mortars however, perhaps due to only having 100g of TNT in the shell, less than some hand grenades.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
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....
, developed as a variant of the M1938
M1938 mortar
The Soviet M1938 120-millimeter mortar was the first modern 120 mm mortar developed by any country, entering production in 1939. The Red Army made significant use of its heavy caliber by treating it as an artillery piece in World War II. The Germans were impressed by the weapon and adopted it...
120 mm mortar. The barrel was clamped at two elevation angles only - 45 and 75 degrees. Range variations were made by altering a sleeve round the base of the barrel. This sleeve opened a series of gas ports which bled off exhaust gases and so determined the range.
The project was deemed overly complex and expensive, and was only produced for a short time, before being replaced by the Model 1939. Despite the small number produced, some fell into German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
hands in 1941, who introduced them as the 5 cm Granatwerfer 205/1(r).
Development
The PM-38 or 50-PM 38 (50-mm company mortar model 1938) was based on the Stokes mortar. It was further developed as the PM-39 and PM40.The Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
of the USSR divided mortars into company (PM) battalion (BM) and regimental (HM) mortars. Development of a light 50mm company mortar started in 1937. The PM-38 was approved for use in 1938 and entered production in 1939. In the space of just over a year PM-39, PM-40 and PM-41 replaced each other in succession. PM-41 remained in production until 1943, when the USSR decided to cease making 50mm mortars. Only PM-41 was new design the others being incremental improvements of the original PM-38.
Design Improvements
The problem of having only two fixed elevations and thus needing to adjust the range with the complex adjustment of gas escape made for inaccurate ranging and was dangerous to the mortar-man as well. The minimum shooting range of 200m was felt to be impractical in Red Army use as well.PM-39 added a protective shield which directed the escaping hot gases away from the operator.
Barrels got shorter with each new model.
Variants
- PM39
- Barrel Length: 77.5 cm
- Weight: 14 or 17 kg
- PM40
- Barrel Length: 63 cm
- Weight: 12.1 kg
50mm PM41
Essentially a new design, influenced by German 50mm mortars, which was continued in use until 50mm mortars were removed from Soviet ArmySoviet Army
The Soviet Army is the name given to the main part of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1992. Previously, it had been known as the Red Army. Informally, Армия referred to all the MOD armed forces, except, in some cases, the Soviet Navy.This article covers the Soviet Ground...
service. This mortar was without a tripod but instead relied on its barrel yoke which contained traverse and elevation adjustments. The gases now vented under the muzzle via a tube.
Use
All models saw widespread use by the USSR in World War IIWorld 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...
. Captured in large numbers they were also re-used by the Finns and Germans. After World War II the USSR supplied them to North Korea and Vietnam.
The Finns were apparently not impressed with these Russian 50mm mortars, giving them mildly derogatory nicknames - "Naku" and "Tiltu", and not being over-zealous about re-issuing them.
The Finns found the PM-39 relatively accurate in use and setting the mortar ready to fire took only about one minute. The mortar was no substitute for the 80-82mm mortars however, perhaps due to only having 100g of TNT in the shell, less than some hand grenades.