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USSR M1938 120mm Mortar
Technical Summary
| Bore diameter: |
120 mm |
| Barrel Length: |
1,862 mm |
| Weight as fired: |
280 kg |
| Weight of bomb: |
16 kg |
| Maximum Effective Range: |
6,000 m (6,600 yd) |
| Muzzle Velocity: |
272 m/s |
|
The Soviet M1938 120-millimetre calibre mortar has made significant impacts in modern warfare. It was the first modern 120mm mortar developed by any country entering production in 1939. The Red Army made significant use of its heavy calibre by treating it as an artillery piece in World War II against the German army. The Germans were impressed by the weapon and adopted it for their own use, and developed an improved design. The mortar was kept in production long after the war and sold to Soviet allies. Its last significant use in battle was seen in the Vietnam War, used by the NLF. Users have particularly liked the weapon for its uniquely-designed towing carriage, which made it easy to limber up in a single movement, using hooks on the weapon's base-plate. It is typically deployed to support infantry units, and is the heaviest weapon that can be reasonably transported by soldiers on foot.
