M1938 120mm (120-HM 38)

History

The M1938 120mm mortar was a field mortar system commissioned by the Red Army in 1939. This weapon system is nothing but a replica of the excellent 1935 Brandt series designed in France and is specifically called "Mortier Brandt de 120mm Type 1935".

The M1938 was widely used by Red Army units during World War II, especially in combat operations following the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, opening the fabled "Eastern Front".

The M1938 consists of three parts, including a reusable launch tube, baseplate, and bipod assembly. The type is also known for its integrated wheeled trailer, which allows it to be transported or moved by fire departments or handling vehicles.

Another transportation method would be to disassemble the system into the three key components mentioned above, so that a member of the fire brigade could transport some of the weapons to the new location.

The M1938 weighs 620 lbs when fully activated. The launch tubes are rated for 120mm mortar rounds and weigh 35 pounds each. Mortars operate in the traditional way, with the operator simply dropping the projectile through the muzzle into the launch tube. The projectile would then fall, hitting the firing pin at the bottom of the tube and igniting the charge propellant.

This shoots the projectile out of the launch tube along a predetermined arc of fire at 890 feet per second. Altitude is controlled by the crew through an adjustment mechanism.

After deployment, the inherent firepower of the 120mm mortar system became apparent, with the mortar being used as a support weapon in conjunction with infantry attacks. The massive suppression and lethal fire of a single high-explosive mortar was exceptional, especially for receiving German troops.

The Germans were so impressed with the power of the Soviet M1938 that the weapon was directly copied as the German Granatwerfer 42 series mortar in 1941. The German version outperformed the Soviet design in range, achieving a range of 6,600 yards over the original's 6,200 yards.

In any case, the Soviet model persisted long after the war and was a key player in the subsequent Cold War. In the decades following World War II, the M1938 found its way into various inventories of the Eastern Bloc and the Allies.

This makes the weapon heavily used in upcoming conflicts such as the Vietnam War. Today, the M1938 is still in relatively small numbers, a testament to its excellent design and quality largely due to the French.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes