Soviet medium mortars in T2K

[rcaf_777]

The Canadian Army at the time of Twilight has both the 60mm and 81mm mortars in there infantry battalions. The 81mm are in a mortar platoon found in the battalion combat support company and usually mounted in APC, they found in only Regular Force Battalion since the CF only bought 180 systems.

The 60mm are found in infantry companies and platoons, in dismounted operations the rounds are spreadout throught the platoon or company and dropped of once the base of fire is est durring contact with an enemy force.

Speaking as guy who has had to carry a 60mm durring dismounted ops, it sucks, carrying a big steel tube with three rounds, plus rucksack, plus rifle, plus ammo, plus rations, SUCKS BIG TIME

[perardua]

I have similar memories of carrying an 81mm mortar barrel across Otterburn training area along with my bergen, rifle+UGL with ammo, mortar rounds and various other sundries, then getting to the range, dropping off the kit and going straight into a live firing Flight attack. Happily, on ops we had the luxury of vehicles to carry our mortars and ammo.

[Fusilier]

The 81mm are in a mortar platoon found in the battalion combat support company and usually mounted in APC, they found in only Regular Force Battalion since the CF only bought 180 systems.

Not true. The Princess Louise Fusiliers still had their 81mm mortars and dedicated crews.

[rcaf_777]

Not true. The Princess Louise Fusiliers still had their 81mm mortars and dedicated crews.

when did they get them before 1993 or after, the 81mm tubes were bought for Regular Force in 1968 it was'nt untill 1993 and alot tubes and training for them were made avaible this was primary due 4 CMBG being disbanded, there 8 per infantry battalion that over half the supply just for Regular Force BN's, add in the spares held the BN's, tubes at three major battle schools and the infantry schools and your not looking alot of tubes avaible for reserve training, I knew some units had then lost then had them again and lost them ect depends on who need them I guess, I was a reservsit for eight years and I saw the tubes used with reserve crew only durring major ex in Meaford and Petawawa and Florida and those tubes were on loan from other units.

[Fusilier]

when did they get them before 1993 or after

Before. And these were regimental tubes, not loans. By the time the infantry transferred the mortars over to the artillery they were the last reserve battalion having them - but that doesn't apply to Twilight2000.

[HorseSoldier]

So in current Canadian organization the artillery guys are the people operating mortars

[Fusilier]

So in current Canadian organization the artillery guys are the people operating mortars

Yes, unfortunately. Downsizing of manpower and budgets.

[perardua]

Yes, unfortunately. Downsizing of manpower and budgets.

That sucks. I was always a fan of the phrase "every mortarman is an infantryman, but not every infantryman is a mortarman!" Made up for having far longer training days than the Rifle Flights (we mostly had to fit our mortar training around all the other mandatory pre-deployment training, hence we used to tab our mortars around ranges and exercise areas so we could drill on them while waiting for stuff to happen).

[Fusilier]

That sucks. I was always a fan of the phrase "every mortarman is an infantryman, but not every infantryman is a mortarman!"

We used that phrase in Canada too.

[HorseSoldier]

I think it would be okay as long as the artillery guys were permanently attached to the infantry units they would be supporting, but I'm guessing that's not the case either

[Abbott Shaull]

Well it reminds me of one of the time Anderson Cooper was over in Iraq, he followed men from an Artillery Battery. They would provide Fire Support Missions during the day and at night they would conduct foot patrols like Infantry units...

[rcaf_777]

The infantry still has the 60mm Mortar but is found as platoon support weapon and Canadian infantry is no longer running their mortar course I think

[Abbott Shaull]

I know in WWII Infantry Company, there may or may not be a mortar attached at Platoon level as well as other assets.

This is like today in many cases the Anti-Tank teams in the Light Infantry Company could be pooled at Company level or dispersed to Platoon level. Where opposed to the Mechanized Infantry Companies where an AT Specialist as assigned to the dismount team.

Honestly I tend to agree that 120mm Mortar would be standard indirect fire piece used at Brigade and Regimental Level with few remaining artillery pieces they may have. While at Battalion Level, you would see some either 120mm or medium Mortars in support organized as Platoon or maybe as Battery that controlled all Mortar assets that are farmed out to Companies on the need basis, much like the Mechanized Battalion Anti-Tank Company.

The Mortar unit may have two type of Mortars. One they use in encampment and when they are one campaigns, and smaller on they use when they are on patrols supporting assets of the command they support.

Just some thoughts.

[Fusilier]

I think it would be okay as long as the artillery guys were permanently attached to the infantry units they would be supporting, but I'm guessing that's not the case either

I agree, but no they aren't.

[Abbott Shaull]

I think by 2000 the if Artillerymen were replacing Infantrymen at manning Mortars with Infantry or Armor Task Force, they would be permanent assigned to the said Task Force since their old Battalions would be downsized due to lack of gun replacement due to losses. Even if the Battalions were issued with Mortar to make up the losses in general they could part with some and replace the ammo bearer with anyone in general.

By 2000 I see Combat Engineers and even some MP units being tasked as Infantry similar to during Iraqi Freedom when units were tasked outside of what they ever had planned to operate as. You know Armor units operating as HMMWV convoy protection or Armor/Artillery units operating as regular ground Infantry.