RED MORTAR TROOP

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3139, 13 July 1942, Page 7

RED MORTAR TROOP

FORMIDABLE WEAPON

AMAZING PERFORMANCES

A LESSON FROM RUSSIAN WAR (By Col. V. Urbanovich, Red Army)

The mortar is a formidable weapon. The effect of its projectiles is more devastating than that of artillery shellsi of the same calibre. Mortar bomb fragments ©an hit troops lying close-pressed to the ground. Mortars operate in the battle along with the infantry, and can pass wherever infantry can pass.

The mortor is not a new weapon; it has a long history behind it. But the modern Soviet mortar is an easily portable, rapid-firing and accurate weapon.

At the outbreak of the war the Germans had the advantage in mortars, but those times are past. Nowadays

German prisoners complain that the Russian mortars used to give them no peace day or night and devastate their tanks.

During a recent operation, Soviet scouts reported that an enemy cavalry squadron and baggage train had taken up quarters for the night at a farm called Verny. At midnight a company of Soviet infantry with three mortars was dispatched to the place. Squadron Wiped Out By Mortars

The farm buildings were surrounded. The three mortars opened up heavy fire on horses, baggage carts and buildings. Simultaneously the infantry launched an attack. The Germans tried to slip off northwards, but met devastating fire from that direction also. The squadron was completely wiped out.

This is a typical example of the effect of mortar fire. Darkness is no hindrance to the use of mortars. In fact, at night they have an adyantage over other types of weapon. Soviet troops have mastered all the tricks of using mortars! at night.

In the battle for Moscow, at Tikhvin, Rostov, Tula .and Kalinin, and in many other areas, Soviet mortar troops played an outstanding part with their simple but formidable weapons resembling ordinary piping.

On one occasion an Italian force, about two battalions strong, tried to pieroe a narrow sector of the Red

Army lines. Lieutenant Krivonoss dashed forward with his mortar and automatic riflemen. A squall of mortar fire at close range instantly dispersed the attacking battalions.

On another sector of the front two groups of Germans, 100 and 150 strong respectively, were preparing to attack. Red infantry threw forward several mortars, and as soon as the Nazis! attacked they were showered with mortar bombs. Only a handful survived. Mortarmen Annihilate Auto-riflemen

Mortar troops always act in close conjunction with infantry and artillery. On one occasion an infantry unit was told to capture a railway station. Mortar observers noticed a group of German automatic rifleman who had taken up a position in a hollow and were hampering the movement of our infantry. The enemy was immediately bombed. The automatic riflemen were exterminated and the infantry were able to carry out their task unhindered.

A large proportion of the Sofiet mortar troops consists of young people. The Soviet youth, .and especially members of the Young Bolshevik League t display a particular affection for thU weapon.