Out in the Cold: Australia's involvement in the Korean War - 3-inch mortar
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Weaponry and communications
3-inch mortar
Film of an Australian 3-inch mortar unit in action in Korea. F07535
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.
Weaponry & Communications
United Nations Forces
- Short Magazine Lee Enfield MkIII*
- Owen Machine Carbine
- Bren Light Machine Gun
- Vickers Medium Machine Gun
- 3-Inch Mortar
- 3.5 Inch M20 Rocket Launcher (Bazooka)
- 17-Pounder Anti-Tank Gun
- M-1951 Armoured Vest
- Bofors Gun
- M4A3E8 Sherman Tank
- Helicopters: The Bell 47 (H-13)
- Communications
Chinese/North Korean
