60mm mortar?

Doc

I heard of that terrible training accident that killed at least 7 Marines. What a horrible loss.

But I wondered about a 60mm mortar that was said to have exploded in training. Weren't WW II mortars around 81 or 82mm? Have they gotten smaller?

CDMead

60s are what the infantry carries around with them for close support.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M2_Mortar

If you ever read, "With the Old Breed" by Eugene Sledge, he's a 60mm mortarman.

ChrisInTempe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M224_mortar

asphalt cowboy

When I was in the Army used 81mm and 4.2" and the Marines had 60mm, possibly the four deuce also.

The difference is in mission requirements. The Marines need a mortar that is more easily transported, humped by grunts, and readily deployed.

HandLoad

Very good Discussion by folks that have been there (At least Some of them) HERE:

http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=293899&highlight=60mm

andrewsw16

I've used both the 60 and the 81. The two big differences are the size of the bang and the portability. The 81 has a much larger explosive, but you need a vehicle to move it around. It just isn't reasonable to try to hump it on a soldier's back. On the other hand, the 60, while using a smaller explosive round, can be broken down and each primary component strapped to some lucky guy's back and moved out with the troops. [:D]
A good mortar team is worth their weight in gold. [:D]

Rack Ops

I crewed an 81mm mortar for 3 years.

I'm curious to see what the investigation turns up

perry shooter

I was trained on the 81MM In Vietnam It had a timer turned with a spanner wrench . We were told if you turned the timing ring backwards it may Break the timer and it would go off shortly after leaving the tube . The grew next to me about 100 yards had one go off about 100 ft out of the tube put a bunch of holes in Gp medium tents and some of use got some very small pieces . I still have a BB size piece in the web of my hand between thumb and index finger. Does the 60MM have a timing ring. and does what I think I remember from 47 years ago is true about timers. [?][?][?]

Mobuck

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