Description

Deactivated WW2 British Mortar – Old Spec.

WW2 2″ British Mortar MK VII: A Compact and Powerful Weapon of the Second World War

The 2-inch British Mortar MK VII was an iconic light mortar used by British and Commonwealth forces during the Second World War. Designed for close support, this WW2 mortar was compact, versatile, and easily manoeuvrable, making it ideal for infantry units. The mortar was capable of firing explosive shells over short to medium ranges, delivering devastating fire support in trenches, across battlefields, and in urban warfare.

With its distinctive design, the 2-inch mortar MK VII featured a simple yet effective construction, consisting of a smoothbore tube mounted on a small, portable baseplate. This mortar could be assembled and deployed quickly by a small team, making it highly effective in combat situations where speed and mobility were essential. Despite its small calibre, the MK VII 2-inch mortar proved invaluable in providing a rapid response to enemy movements and suppressing fire in defensive positions.

A key feature of this mortar was its lightweight design, which made it highly portable, weighing around 18.5 kilograms (40.8 pounds). This allowed soldiers to carry it across difficult terrain and deploy it with ease, even in the most challenging battlefield conditions. The 2″ mortar could fire a variety of shells, including high-explosive, smoke, and illumination rounds, offering great versatility to British forces.

Though the 2-inch mortar MK VII was eventually phased out in favour of larger, more powerful mortars, its importance during WW2 cannot be understated. It played a vital role in numerous campaigns, from the North African theatre to the Normandy landings and beyond. Its effectiveness in providing infantry units with indirect fire support made it a crucial weapon in the British arsenal.

Key Features of the 2″ British Mortar MK VII:

• Calibre: 2 inches (51mm)
• Lightweight and portable at 18.5 kg (40.8 lbs)
• Smoothbore design for easy firing
• Capable of firing a variety of rounds including high-explosive, smoke, and illumination
• Ideal for close support and trench warfare
• Quickly deployed by infantry units for rapid, precise fire support

The WW2 2″ British Mortar MK VII is a remarkable example of how ingenuity and practicality shaped British military weapons during the war. Though no longer in use today, its legacy continues to influence modern mortar designs.