The Mortar Pit
Mortars were short range weapons. They had less than half the range of the 37 millimeter guns, but fired shells with many time more blasting power; being comparable to light artillery in that respect. Like the hand grenade and rifle grenades, the light mortar was a high trajectory weapon firing relatively heavy projectiles high into the air and plunging them almost vertically onto the target. Their chief value was in the fact that they could quickly and easily be moved into position close to the target. And having a high rate of fire of great destructive power, their surprise effect was great. The rate of fire was limited only by the speed with which the gunner could insert a shell into the muzzle after the previous shell had left it. I have seen six shells in the air at once before the first one hit the target.
Notes from the History of the Fifth Division, A.E.F.
Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sniper's Nest (here, next to this marker); No Man's Land (here, next to this marker); Splinter Proof (here, next to this marker); Post of Command (a few steps from this marker); The Front (a few steps from this marker); Aid Station (within shouting distance of this marker); The Trenches (within shouting distance of this marker); Meet Private Donald D. Kyler (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.
More about this marker. Part of the Meet Pvt. Kyler/ World War I Trench System Exhibit.
Categories. • War, World I •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2017. This page originally submitted on June 8, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 8, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.