THREE-INCH MORTAR

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 281, 24 August 1944, Page 5

THREE-INCH MORTAR

Ideal For Italian Terrain

(Official War Correspondent. N.Z.E.F.J NORTHERN ITALY. August 21.

The value of the three-inch mortar as close support, infantry weapon has never been more apparent in the history of the New Zealand Division than during the operations in Italy. Firing a 10-pound bomb, which has a great explosive and fragmentation effect and can be aimed with extreme accuracy, the mortar has come into its own in the hills and mountains of this country, where artillery fire is often hindered by natural obstacles. and has on many occasions been a source of the keenest comfort and satisfaction to front-line infantrymen. Normally the mortars are taken to their position perhaps 1000 or 1500 yards behind the front line by carriers, but on occasions they have been carried over otherwise impassable country by mules, and still again they have been manhandled in by crews themselves. The speed with which the mortars can bo put on any particular target is due to a system by prior reconnaissance of dividing the ground out in front of the forward troops into “stonk” areas with sharply-defined boundaries, so that, by giving a simple codeword fire may be brought quickly and accurately on any place where enemy movement may be heard or seen. Expert in the use of mortars himself, the German has a keen respect for ours, and on many occasions lias had reason to regret a careless step, the rattle of a shovel or the fall of stones which may have given us the opportunity to lay down our fire on him.