View source for M2 mortar

{{Short description|US infantry mortar}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = US M2 60 mm mortar
| image= M2-Mortar.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption            = World War II era 60 mm U.S. M2 mortar, G.I. helmet shown for scale
| origin             = United States
| type               = [[Infantry mortar]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_artillery       = yes
<!-- Service history -->
| service            =
| used_by            = United States<br />France<br />[[Israel]]<br />[[South Korea]]<br>[[Republic of China]]<br />China<br />Turkey<br />[[North Vietnam]]<br />[[South Vietnam]]<br />[[Vietnam]]
| wars               = [[World War II]]<br />[[Chinese Civil War]]<br />[[First Indochina War]]<br />[[Korean War]]<br />[[Algerian War]]<br />[[Portuguese Colonial War]]<br />[[Rhodesian Bush War]]<br />[[Vietnam War]]<br />[[Soviet-Afghan War]]<br />[[Iran–Iraq War]]<br />[[Lebanese Civil War]]<br />[[Nicaraguan Revolution]]<br />[[Guatemalan Civil War]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = [[Edgar Brandt]]
| design_date        =
| manufacturer       =
| unit_cost          =
| production_date    =
| number             =
| variants           = Type 31
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         =
| weight             = {{convert|42|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| length             =
| part_length        = {{convert|726|mm|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=1|disp=flip}}
| width              =
| height             =
| diameter           =
| crew               = 5 (squad leader, gunner, assistant gunner, two ammunition carriers)
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = {{convert|3|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| caliber            = 60 mm (2.36 in)
| barrels            =
| action             =
| rate               = 18 rounds per minute
| velocity           = {{convert|158|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| range              =
| max_range          = {{convert|1.8|km|mi|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| feed               =
| sights             =
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             =
| recoil             =
| carriage           =
| elevation          = +40° to +85°
| traverse           = 7°
}}

The '''M2 mortar''' is a 60 millimeter [[smoothbore]], [[muzzle-loading]], high-angle-of-fire weapon used by U.S. forces in [[World War II]], the [[Korean War]], and the [[Vietnam War]] for light [[infantry]] support.

==History and description==

During the late 1920s, the [[US Army]] began examining mortars to act as light infantry support weapons for company level fire support, bridging the gap between medium mortars and [[hand grenade]]s. In the late 1930s, the War Department eventually settled on a [[Brandt Mle 1935|60&nbsp;mm design]] from [[Edgar Brandt]], a French ordnance engineer.<ref name="Norris 2002 p. 15">Norris, John and Calow, Robert, ''Infantry Mortars of World War II'', Osprey Publishing (2002), {{ISBN|1-84176-414-0}}, {{ISBN|978-1-84176-414-6}}, p. 15</ref> The [[United States Army Ordnance Corps|Ordnance Department]] purchased eight of the French-built weapons in 1938, standardizing them as the '''Mortar, 60&nbsp;mm, M1'''. When production drawings were revised by [[Watervliet Arsenal]] to adopt standard American threads, tubes, and plates, the weapon was redesignated the '''Mortar, 60&nbsp;mm, M2'''. In January 1940, the first production contract for 1,500 mortars was issued to the Read Machinery Company of [[York, Pennsylvania]]. As requirements rose in 1940, another contract was placed with the [[Danville, Pennsylvania]]-based Kennedy-Van Saun Engineering Company. Requirements declined early in 1944, but by the end of the year, demand increased and exceeded existing supply. The War Department ordered Kennedy-Van Saun to increase production, and also added a contract from the [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company]]; production of the M2 during the first eight months of 1945 totaled 30,152, nearly equaling that of the previous three years.

Although classed as a light mortar, the M2 had considerable range compared to similar 50&nbsp;mm and 60&nbsp;mm-caliber weapons like the British [[Two-inch mortar|Ordnance SBML two-inch mortar]], Soviet [[RM-38]] and related models, and German [[5 cm Granatwerfer 36]], with its fixed-firing pin design allowing for a high rate of fire by trained crews.<ref name="Norris 2002 p. 15"/> Normally employed by weapons [[platoon]]s of U.S. infantry [[Company (military unit)|companies]], the M2 is of the usual [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] pattern of the day.<ref name="Norris 2002 p. 15"/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090413165439/http://www.bloodybucket.com/Weapons%20Company/M260mmMortar ''U.S. Army M2 60 mm Mortar'']</ref> It consists of a smoothbore metal tube on a rectangular baseplate, supported by the simple M5 [[bipod]] to which are attached elevation and [[Traverse (gunnery)|traverse]] mechanisms. The firing pin was fixed in the base cap of the tube, firing the bomb automatically when it was dropped down the [[Gun barrel|barrel]]. The weapon was used throughout World War II by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. It saw service again in the Korean War, and by French forces in their counterinsurgency campaigns in [[Indochina]] and Algeria.<ref name ="Algeria">{{cite magazine|language=fr|magazine=Gazette des Armes |issue=220 |date=March 1992|title=L'armement français en A.F.N.|pages=12–16|url=http://fr.1001mags.com/parution/gazette-des-armes/numero-220-mars-1992/page-16-17-texte-integral|first=Jean|last=Huon}}</ref> 

The [[People's Army of Vietnam|VPA]] used many M2 mortars captured from France (equipped by the US) and self-produced, equipped to companies and battalions<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vũ khí Việt Nam trong hai cuộc kháng chiến. |url=https://www.quansuvn.net/index.php/topic,41.170.html |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=www.quansuvn.net}}</ref>.

It was used under designation ''m/952'' by [[Portugal]] during the [[Portuguese Colonial War]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Abbott|first1= Peter |last2=Rodrigues|first2= Manuel|title=Modern African Wars 2: Angola and Mozambique 1961-74|publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=1998|page=18}}</ref> During the [[Vietnam War]], the M2 was again used by the U.S. Army and marines, as well as by [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam|South Vietnamese forces]]. Ultimately, the M2 was replaced by the [[M224 mortar|M224]] in 1978.

== Chinese variants ==
China (the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]] prior to 1949) also locally produced the M2 mortar, which was designated as the ''Type 31''.<ref name="Janes 1992 31">{{cite encyclopedia|title=60 mm Type 31 and variants|encyclopedia=Jane's Infantry Weapons 1992-1993|url=https://archive.org/details/Janes_Infantry_Weapons/page/n1394|page=1394|year=1992}}</ref> After the [[People's Republic of China]] was established in 1949, some Type 31s were supplied to North Korea<ref name="Weapon">{{cite book|title=North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition|chapter=60mm Type-31 Mortar| page= A-90|author=US Department of Defense |url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/dprk/nkor.pdf}}</ref> and [[North Vietnam]].<ref name ="NVA">{{cite book|title=North Vietnamese Army Soldier 1958–75|series=Warrior 135|first=Gordon L. |last=Rottman|date= 10 Feb 2009|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]|isbn=9781846033711|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iC21CwAAQBAJ|page=32}}</ref> It was later modified as the ''Type 63'' and were supplied to [[Mujahideen]] rebels during [[Soviet-Afghan War]].<ref name="Janes 1992 63">{{cite encyclopedia|title=60 mm Type 63 mortar|encyclopedia=Jane's Infantry Weapons 1992-1993|url=https://archive.org/details/Janes_Infantry_Weapons/page/n1392|page=1392|year=1992}}</ref> A variant called ''Type 63-1'' has been produced under license by the Pakistan Machine Tool Factory Limited and by the Helwan Machine Tools Company in Egypt.<ref name="Janes 2002 63-1">{{cite encyclopedia|title=NORINCO 60 mm Type 63-1 mortar|encyclopedia=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002-2003|url=https://archive.org/details/Janes_Infantry_Weapons/page/n1306|pages=1306–1307|year=2002}}</ref>

==Operation==
Each mortar shell had a screw-on cap in its base. Inside the hollow in the tail, it contained a [[20-gauge]] M5A1 ignition cartridge. This was a paper shotgun shell filled with [[ballistite]] powder.

The mortar had a firing pin in the bottom of the tube. When the shell was dropped down the tube, the firing pin struck the ignition cartridge in the shell's tail, detonating it. When the cartridge detonated, the explosive gases exited the base of the shell through two bleed holes. This propelled the shell out of the tube in an arc. Unassisted, the mortar shell had a range of about {{convert|200|to|325|yd|m}}.

To increase the mortar's range, shells were issued with four waterproof cellophane bags of propellant, called increments, fastened to the stabilizing fins with wire clips. The ignition cartridge would ignite the propellant, increasing chamber pressure and the shell's muzzle velocity. All four increments and the ignition cartridge pushed the maximum range to about {{convert|2,000|yd|m}} at 45 degrees elevation (depending on the shell's length and weight). To reduce the mortar's muzzle velocity, increment charges were removed as needed before firing. This allowed great flexibility in the angle at which shells impacted the target area, allowing the weapon to drop shells behind hills or buildings.

==Ammunition==
[[File:60mm-Mortar-Rounds.jpg|thumb|60 mm mortar shells for the U.S. M2 mortar. Left-to-right: M69 training/practice, M49A2 [[Explosive material#High explosives|high explosive]], M302 [[white phosphorus]]/smoke, M83 illuminating (parachute flare)]]
[[File:M2 Mortar Korea 127-gr-28-196-A134461 001-ac.jpg|thumb|U.S. Marines firing M2 mortar during the Korean War. August, 1952]]

The M2 Mortar could fire several types of [[ammunition]].
* ''M49A2 [[Explosive material#High explosives|high explosive]] (HE) with point detonating fuze M52B1'' [Total weight: {{cvt|2.73|lb|kg}}, filler weight: {{cvt|0.34|lb|kg}} of TNT]:<ref>'''FT60-D-2 (Abridged) "Firing Tables for Mortar, 60-mm, M2"''' - ''Firing Shell, H.E., M49A2 WITH Fuze, P.D., M52B1 (Plastic) - Cartridge, Ignition, M5A1 - Weight of Fuzed Projectile 2.73 lb. [2 lbs., 12 oz.]''</ref> An explosive shell used against infantry and other light area targets. It has a minimum range of {{convert|200|yd|m}} when fired without a boosting charge at a 70° angle and a maximum range of {{convert|2017|yd|m}} when fired with four boosting charges at a 45° angle. 
* ''M49A3 high explosive cartridge (HE) with super-quick point detonating fuze M525'' [Weight: 3.05&nbsp;lb (1.38&nbsp;kg)]: Often referred to in the field as "HE quick".
* ''M302 [[white phosphorus]] cartridge (WP):'' A "bursting smoke" shell used as a signaling, screening, smoke-producing, and casualty-producing shell.<br>Unlike regular smoke shells of the period, which used a "hot" chemical reaction to generate a smoke cloud, the white phosphorus shell detonates to expose its filler to the air, causing it to spontaneously ignite and generate a thick cloud of white or grey smoke. It also sets combustible materials in its radius of effect on fire, causing secondary smoke sources. If personnel are hit by burning white phosphorus, the fragments will continue to burn inside the wound. They need to be evacuated to a hospital to have the fragments removed under special conditions.
* ''M83 illuminating cartridge (ILL):'' A pyrotechnic parachute flare shell used in night missions requiring illumination for assistance in observation.
* ''M69 training/practice cartridge (TP)'' [Weight: 4.43&nbsp;lb (2.01&nbsp;kg)]: A shell with a [[cast iron]] body, inert filler, and detachable fin assembly used to train recruits in firing the M2 mortar. The cast iron body is reusable and the fin assembly can be replaced if damaged.
* ''M50A3 training/practice cartridge (TP)'' [Weight 3.15&nbsp;lb (1.43&nbsp;kg)]: This practice shell is ballistically matched to the M49A4 HE shell, making it easier for training. They are the same size and weight, only differing in that the M50A3 is inert and emits a puff of white smoke on impact.

== Users ==
{{Div col}}
* {{flag|Albania}}<ref name="Janes 1992 63"/>
* {{flag|Austria}}<ref name="Janes 2002"/>
* {{flag|Australia}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortar - 60 mm|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/UXO/_Master/docs/Types/Mortar60mmRev01.pdf|series=Defence unexploded ordnance website: ordnance information sheet|website=defence.gov.au|date=March 2015}}</ref>
* {{BAN}}: Type 63<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/4794.pdf |title=TENDER NOTICE P.4 SEC |author=<!--Not stated-->|publisher=[[Directorate General of Defence Purchase (Bangladesh)|Directorate General of Defence Purchase]] |date=<!--Not stated-->|website=dgdp.gov.bd |access-date=13 March 2021}}</ref>
* {{flag|Republic of China}}<ref name="Janes 2002"/>
* {{flag|China}}: Type 31, Type 63 and Type 63-1
* {{flag|Denmark}}: designated ''m/51''<ref name="Wiener 1987">{{cite book|title=The armies of the NATO nations: Organization, concept of war, weapons and equipment|series=Truppendienst Handbooks Volume 3|year= 1987|first=Friedrich |last=Wiener |page=462|publisher=Herold Publishers|location=Vienna}}</ref>
*{{flag|Egypt}}: Type 63-1 produced under license.<ref name="Janes 2002 63-1"/>
* {{flag|Ethiopian Empire}}: used by the [[Kagnew Battalion]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Ethiopians in the Korean War: WWII gear used|date=18 August 2016|url=https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2016/08/18/ethiopians-in-the-korean-war-wwii-gear-used/|website=wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com}}{{self-published source|date=January 2019}}</ref>
* {{flag|France}}<ref name ="Algeria"/>
* {{flag|Greece}}<ref name="Wiener 1987"/>
* {{flag|Guatemala}}<ref name="Janes 2002"/>
*{{flag|Haiti}}<ref name="Janes 2002"/>
*{{flag|Indonesia}}<ref name="Janes 2002"/>
* {{IRQ}}: Type 63<ref>{{cite book|title=Iraqi army equipment 1930-2017 |volume=2|url=https://archive.org/details/IraqiArmyEquipment1930-2017SpecialReportVol.2|page=[https://archive.org/details/IraqiArmyEquipment1930-2017SpecialReportVol.2/page/n113 114]}}</ref>
* {{flag|Japan}}<ref>{{Cite book |author=Kenji Jyoshima |author2=Yusuke Tsuge |title=陸自車両50年史 (50 Years of JGSDF's Vehicles)  |publisher=Argonauts Publications |date=October 2007 |location=Tokyo, Japan |pages=126 |language=Japanese }}</ref>
* {{flag|North Korea}}: Type 31<ref name="Weapon"/>
*{{flag|South Korea}}: The [[Republic of Korea Armed Forces|Armed Forces]] was equipped with 579 M2/M19s before the [[Korean War]], and 2,263 were in service with the [[Republic of Korea Army|Army]] by the end of the war. Began replacing with KM19 in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bak |first=Dongchan |url=http://medcmd.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202105270240172800.pdf |title=Korean War : Weapons of the United Nations |publisher=Ministry of Defense Institute for Military History |date=March 2021 |isbn=979-11-5598-079-8 |location=Republic of Korea |pages=82–84 |language=Korean |access-date=2022-07-07 |archive-date=2022-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170621/http://medcmd.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202105270240172800.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{flag|Lebanon}}
*{{flag|Mexico}}<ref name="Janes 2002"/>
*{{flag|Morocco}}<ref name="Janes 2002">{{cite encyclopedia|title=60mm M2 mortar|encyclopedia=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002|url=https://archive.org/details/Janes_Infantry_Weapons/page/n5337|pages=5338–5339|year=2002}}</ref>
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: Type 63-1 produced under license.<ref name="Janes 2002 63-1"/>
* {{flag|Portugal}}<ref name="Wiener 1987"/>
* {{flag|Turkey}}<ref name="Wiener 1987"/>
*{{flag|Thailand}}{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}
*{{flag|United States}}
* {{flag|South Vietnam}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Army of the Republic of Vietnam 1955–75|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]|first=Gordon L. |last=Rottman|series=Men at Arms 458 |date=2010|page=9|isbn=9781849081818}}</ref>
*{{flag|North Vietnam}} Type 31
*{{flag|Republic of South Vietnam}}
*{{flag|Vietnam}}: M2, Type 31 and Type 63<ref name ="NVA"/>
{{Div col end}}

==See also==
* [[List of U.S. Army weapons by supply catalog designation]]
* [[M1 mortar]]
* [[M2 4.2-inch mortar]] - A 107&nbsp;mm infantry mortar 
* [[M224 mortar]] - Replacement for the M2 in US service
* [[CM60A1]]
* [[List of weapons of the Lebanese Civil War]]
* [[List of weapons of the Portuguese Colonial War]]
* [[List of weapons of the Rhodesian Bush War]]
* [[List of weapons of the Vietnam War]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Hogg, Ian (2000). ''Twentieth-Century Artillery''. Friedman/Fairfax Publishers. {{ISBN|1-58663-299-X}}
* Norris, John and Calow, Robert, ''Infantry Mortars of World War II'', Osprey Publishing (2002), {{ISBN|978-1-84176-414-6}}

==External links==
* [http://www.popsci.com/archive-viewer?id=hycDAAAAMBAJ&pg=0&query=pursuit Cover photo of M2 60mm mortar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501025525/http://www.popsci.com/archive-viewer?id=hycDAAAAMBAJ&pg=0&query=pursuit |date=2011-05-01 }} May 1941 [[Popular Science]]

{{WWIIUSGuns}}
{{U.S. chemical weapons}}

[[Category:World War II mortars]]
[[Category:Chemical weapon delivery systems]]
[[Category:Infantry mortars]]
[[Category:Mortars of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of China]]
[[Category:Chemical weapons of the United States]]
[[Category:60mm mortars]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1940]]