Mk.II: 1,600 yd (1,500 m) Mk.II LR: 2,800 yd (2,600 m)
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.
Design
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]
History
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.
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
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
Afghanistan: used by the anti-Soviet insurgents in the 1980s[7]
^
abSubramanian, 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.