The Stokes mortar was a British trench mortar designed by Sir Wilfred Stokes KBE that was issued to the British and U.S. armies, as well as the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps, during the latter half of the First World War. The 3-inch trench mortar is a smooth-bore, muzzle-loading weapon for high angles of fire.

2018年5月13日 · Mortars were among the very first gunpowder weapons, lobbing projectiles in arcs to fall down upon the enemy, as catapults and trebuchets did. This meant the gunners could hit targets who were out of sight and protected by terrain or defenses from the firepower of cannons and handguns.

In general, infantry mortars are defined by what a team of infantrymen, sometimes known as mortarmen, can transport unaided by significant vehicle support. Because of this intrinsic restriction mandated by weight, mortars are only considered …

2024年7月18日 · The mortar’s contribution to military history, particularly during World War I, marked a significant evolution in artillery warfare. Mortars provided a versatile solution for both offensive and defensive operations, allowing for indirect fire that could target enemy positions from concealed locations.

2017年7月6日 · Light and medium mortars were used primarily for inflicting casualties and destruction of trenches, and heavy mortars were used for fortifications. The destruction of the enemy's strong fortifications (strongholds, fox holes, etc.) required the massive use of mortars.

Mortars were curved-trajectory weapons that could lob shells into trenches whose occupants would be unaffected by flat trajectory weapons but, compared to standard artillery, mortars had a relatively short range.

The Newton 6-inch mortar was the standard British medium mortar in World War I from early 1917 onwards. The Newton 6-inch replaced the 2-inch medium mortar beginning in February 1917.

Mortars were simple but effective weapons widely used in siege warfare for more than 400 years. Essentially metal tubes with bases, mortars fired shells in a high arcing trajectory that plummeted down into the enemy lines or fortifications.

The Stokes mortar could fire as many as 22 bombs per minute and had a maximum range of 1,200 yards. In addition to the light Stokes mortar the British also produced a 2-inch medium mortar and a 9.45-inch heavy mortar (bizarrely nicknamed 'Flying Pigs' by the British soldier) among other models.

2017年7月14日 · The British Stokes Mortar (3-inch) was one of the most famous of the early modern light mortars. It was drawn up by English engineer Sir Wilfred Stokes (hence its designation) who eventually took a post within the "Inventions Branch of the Ministry of Munitions" during World War 1.