BACKGROUND: The German army developed and utilized a variety of different caliber mortars as the primary company and battalion level infantry support weapons. The first mortar developed during the Third Reich era was the 8cm heavy mortar that was produced by the Rheinmetall munitions firm in 1932 and adopted by the OKH, Oberkommando des Heeres, (High Command of the Army), in 1934. Further developments through-out the war brought about the 5cm light mortar, the 8cm short mortar, the 12cm heavy mortar, the 20cm light spigot mortar and the 38cm heavy spigot mortar among others. The 8cm heavy mortar was the main battalion level infantry support weapon and had a three man crew with an effective range of roughly 2400 meters and a firing rate of fifteen to twenty-five rounds per minute depending on the crew. In order to obtain longer firing ranges the mortar shells could be enhanced by the addition of a powder filled fabric tube which would be secured around the tail fin of the shell. The powder increments were issued in a specific protective container that was designed to hold two charges.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $36.00