Mortier de 58 mm type 2
| Mortier de 58 mm type 2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Medium trench mortar |
| Place of origin |  France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1915 - 1940 |
| Used by | France Serbia Poland |
| Wars | World War I |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Dumisilles |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Barrel & Breech: 75 kg (165 lb) Carriage: 226 kg (498 lb) |
| Crew | 5 |
| Shell | 18 kg (40 lb) (LS) 20 kg (44 lb) (ALS) 35 kg (77 lb) (DLS) |
| Calibre | 58.3 mm (2.3 in) (barrel only) |
| Elevation | 45° - 82.5° |
| Maximum firing range | 1,250 m (1,370 yd) (LS) 1,450 m (1,590 yd) (ALS) 670 m (730 yd) (DLS) |
| Filling weight | 5.35 kg (11 lb 13 oz) (LS) 6.4 kg (14 lb 2 oz) (ALS) 10 kg (22 lb 1 oz) (DLS) |
The Mortier de 58 mm type 2, also known as the Crapouillot or "little toad" from its appearance, was the standard French medium trench mortar of World War I.
History
Introduced April 1915.
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Combat use
3 types of bomb were available :[1]
- Light L.S. bomb - 18 kg, containing 5.35 kg explosive. 6 wings, hollow plugged tail.
- Heavy D.L.S. bomb - 35 kg, containing 10.0 kg explosive. 6 wings, hollow plugged tail.
- Medium A.L.S bomb - 20 kg, containing 6.4 kg explosive. 3 wings, unlike the other 2 it has a hollow tail which contained the propellant charge, placing thrust closer to center of gravity and increasing range and accuracy. Not yet in common use as at March 1918.
Examples of capabilities :-[2]
- To destroy a 3m x 3m blockhouse, 60-80 D.L.S. bombs or 100-150 L.S. bombs were required.
- To cut a passage through barbed wire defences 40mtr wide x 30mtr deep, 120 D.L.S. bombs or 200 L.S. bombs were required.
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See also
- Mortar
- 2 inch Medium Mortar Early British equivalent
- Newton 6 inch Mortar Later British equivalent
- List of heavy mortars
Surviving examples
- Many places around France, especially as war memorials.
- At the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw.
- Passion & Compassion 1914-1918. French Artillery - photographs of surviving examples
Notes
References
- Manual for Trench Artillery. Part V. The 58 No. 2 Trench Mortar. US Army, March 1918. Translated from French manual. Made available online by Combined Arms Research Library]
- General notes on the use of artillery. France. Ministère de la guerre. 1917. Translated and republished by US Army War College, November 1917
External links
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