Mortar Gallery

British First Airborne Troops using a mortar, Arnhem; Second

Photograph showing men of the British First Airborne Division using a 3-inch mortar in one of the woods surrounding Arnhem, in Holland, September 1944. On 17th September 1944 Operation Market Garden was put into action; a bold plan devised by Field-Marshal Montgomery to drop thousands of airborne troops into Holland to capture an invasion route into Germany. The British First Airborne, American 81st and 101st Divisions took part in the plan, which was ultimately unsuccessful

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Mortar, 2 In Mk Vii* Airborne

Mk VII* 2 in mortar. Used by airborne forces during World War Two, 1945 (c). The 2 inch Mortar, introduced into service in 1938, was a light weapon designed for close support fire for infantry. Originally equipped with a base-plate and sights, it was modified during the war to a very simplified form. This model, produced in 1944 for use by airborne troops, is simply a metal tube with the sighting reduced to a white line on the barrel. The High Explosive or Smoke bomb is dropped down the barrel and fired by a simple lever. The maximum range is 430 metres (500 yards). Date: circa 1945

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library

A marine serving with Mortar Platoon, 40 Commando Royal Mari

Digital photograph: A marine serving with Mortar Platoon, 40 Commando Royal Marine attached to the Black Watch Battle Group at Camp Dogwood takes an opportunity to have a field shower during a fire missions.Photographed by WO2 Giles Penfound, Army Media Operations, Iraq, Operation BRACKEN, 5 November 2004.From a CD entitled Iraq Conflict. Operation Telic, compiled by WO2 Penfound, for an exhibition at the NAM provisionally entitled Portrait (Project: Operation TELIC).Associated with 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Battle Group, Iraq (2003-).The area occupied by the Marines consisted of a series of derelict buildings on what was a former chemical works located near Baghdad.Operation BRACKEN: The Multi National Division South East - MND(SE) - Divisional Reserve based on the 1st Battalion The Black Watch (The Royal Highland Regiment) Battle Group (1BW BG) was authorised by the British Prime Minister to conduct operations in the 24 Marine Expeditionary Unit (United States) area of operations South of Baghdad. The 1 BW BG consisted of Battle Group Headquarters (HQ), A, B, D and HQ Company as well as attachments from 40 Commando Royal Marines, B Squadron Queen's Dragoon Guards and supported by a variety of Combat Support (Signals, Royal Engineers, Intelligence Corps) and Combat Service Support (Royal Logistic Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) elements. Date: 2004

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library