Ordnance ML 2-inch Mortar

History

The Ordnance ML 2 Inch Mortar Mk II is a class infantry mortar weapon system standardized in the British Army since 1938 prior to the UK's official participation in World War II. Portable and highly reliable, this type can withstand the rigours of the battlefield while offering a rich selection of ammunition.

The ML served the British Army well for the ensuing Cold War years before being officially replaced, and its long history attests to its well-executed design.

While the British used the class 2-inch mortar system in the latter part of World War I, the type was declared obsolete after the war, and little consideration was given to the introduction of a new, more modern portable mortar system. Shotgun systems Lightweight mortar systems until events in Europe brought demand. British authorities, looking outside the military industry for foreign products worthy of military use, chose the 2-inch mortar design from the Spanish ECIA.

After a period of evaluation and testing, the British Army put into storage the new 2-inch "Ordnance ML (Muzzle Loading)" mortar, which began mass production in 1938 under the designation Mk II.

At the heart of the 2" Ordnance ML mortar is a traditional design and layout. The design features, of course, its nearly 20-inch launch tube, which also contains proper aiming and control equipment.

The system does not have a true bipod, but is assisted by the operator through the use of small monopod legs attached to the base of the design and a baseplate assembly for handling projectile recoil. As a muzzle-loading weapon, the active 50mm projectile is fed into the mortar from the loader through the open muzzle end. Unique to the ML design is its trigger, which allows the shooter to fire the projectile into the barrel at their discretion.

Conventional mortars of the time automatically activated projectiles by having them hit a waiting firing pin located at the bottom of the launch tube. Overall, the mortar system weighs only 9 pounds.

The ML is licensed to fire standard 50mm HE shells capable of dispersing or killing enemy massed forces, and can also use flares and smoke bombs when required. Each projectile typically weighs 2.25 pounds each.

ML aircrews can deploy smoke screens to cover the movements of Allied personnel or illuminate the night sky to show advancing enemy forces. In both cases, mortar teams are an essential part of any infantry operation.

Ammunition is supplied by three connected transport tubes, each containing three 50mm projectiles. This ensures an adequate initial ammunition supply for the mortar teams and handles supplies from external sources as much as possible. The weapon has a range of 500 meters.

A typical ML mortar team arrangement consists of two specially trained personnel, consisting of a fireman and a loader. Firefighters are responsible for transporting the mortar units, while loaders are responsible for the care and maintenance of the ammunition supply.

During combat, the loader also assists in detecting falling shells, directs the gunner as needed, and assumes the role of the gunner if the gunner is incapacitated. The lightweight nature of the mortar system makes it highly portable and easily concealed for rapid deployment and ambush.

Needless to say, a well-trained and battle-hardened mortar force was a rather lethal tactical component to the operations of the Allied infantry personnel they supported.

Two main forms of ML 2-inch mortars were supplied to the British Army. These are notable for their base plates - small and large in overall size.

Smaller versions are used by ordinary infantry mortar crews, while larger, heavier versions are suitable for firing from vehicles (though these can also be ground mounted). The Bren Universal Carrier tracked vehicle proved to be a suitable launch platform for this operation.

The Ordnance ML 2-inch mortar was used by the British Army and Commonwealth forces during and after World War II. Although it originated in the 1930s, it can still be found today in developing countries around the world.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes