Out in the Cold: Australia's involvement in the Korean War

3-inch mortar

The 3-inch mortar was used by Australian troops to fire 4.5 kilogram bombs into enemy positions. The mortar was a hollow tube with a firing pin in the bottom. To fire a bomb, the mortarman would drop it into the muzzle of the mortar. The bomb would then be launched into the air to fall on enemy positions up to two and a half kilometres away. A well-trained crew could fire up to fifteen rounds per minute. Each Australian infantry battalion was equipped with six 3-inch mortars.