Ordnance ML 4.2 inch Mortar
Encyclopedia
The Ordnance ML 4.2 inch Mortar was a heavy mortar used by the British and other armies.
. The Mark 3 became the standard model. The mortar was a Smooth Bore (SB) design of the Stokes pattern. It was designed by the Armaments Research and Development Establishment and produced in Ordnance Factories.
It was first used at El Alamein
and all the HE ammunition in the theatre was expended. Soon after the chemical warfare companies were disbanded and one company of each divisional machine gun battalion was re-equipped with the mortar. Divisions also held a pool for issue to other units as required, usually troops in the divisional anti-tank regiment. However, these mortars did not reach Burma although they were used by Australian forces in the South West Pacific.
After World War II the mortars equipped light batteries of the Royal Artillery
. 170 Light Battery used them at the Battle of Imjin River in Korea. They were used during the 1950s, including by airborne artillery, deployed to Kuwait
in 1961 and manned by soldiers from air defence batteries during Confrontation in Borneo in 1965.
HE (9.1 kg) and smoke (10.2 kg) ammunition was used. Smoke include WP and Base Ejection, and in World War II other types for practice.
Two charges were available. In World War II both streamlined and cylindrical bombs were available
History
The SB 4.2 inch mortar British entered service in 1942 to equip chemical warfare companies of the Royal EngineersRoyal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
. The Mark 3 became the standard model. The mortar was a Smooth Bore (SB) design of the Stokes pattern. It was designed by the Armaments Research and Development Establishment and produced in Ordnance Factories.
It was first used at El Alamein
El Alamein
El Alamein is a town in the northern Matrouh Governorate of Egypt. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it lies west of Alexandria and northwest of Cairo. As of 2007, it has a local population of 7,397 inhabitants.- Climate :...
and all the HE ammunition in the theatre was expended. Soon after the chemical warfare companies were disbanded and one company of each divisional machine gun battalion was re-equipped with the mortar. Divisions also held a pool for issue to other units as required, usually troops in the divisional anti-tank regiment. However, these mortars did not reach Burma although they were used by Australian forces in the South West Pacific.
After World War II the mortars equipped light batteries of the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
. 170 Light Battery used them at the Battle of Imjin River in Korea. They were used during the 1950s, including by airborne artillery, deployed to Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
in 1961 and manned by soldiers from air defence batteries during Confrontation in Borneo in 1965.
Description
The mortar had an integrated trailer and baseplate called the Mk 1 Mobile Baseplate. The wheels on suspension arms were unlocked and raised for firing, Mk1/1 had detachable wheels. The barrel with tripod attached was stowed on top for towing. A standard baseplate was available and there was an auxiliary baseplate that fitted around it to increase its area for use in softer ground. The normal detachment was 6 men, but the trailer mounting could be brought into action by 2 men. In World War II it had its own ammunition trailer.HE (9.1 kg) and smoke (10.2 kg) ammunition was used. Smoke include WP and Base Ejection, and in World War II other types for practice.
Two charges were available. In World War II both streamlined and cylindrical bombs were available