Hitler s Hell: Russian Mortars Rained Hellfire on to the Nazi Army
When the Red Army was fighting for its very existence, Soviet military planners realized the usefulness of the rapidity with which the mortar could be brought into action and deployed.
Here s What You Need to Remember: This particular weapon was devised as an alternative to a rifle grenade-launcher, as it could be faster to load and fire. The 37mm mortar was used in the 1939-40 Winter War against Finland, where it was found to be ineffective in the heavy snow. It was removed from service after the German invasion. Few examples are known to survive.
How Russian Mortars Sent Europe’s Best World War II Army Running
It was the Soviet’s Red Army that was, without a doubt, the greatest proponent of the use of mortars during the so-called “Great Patriotic War,” which began with the German invasion of the Soviet Union in late June 1941.
Here s What You Need to Remember: This heavy mortar proved so successful that it remained in production after the war and was used by various Soviet allies. Its last use in combat was in the Vietnam War when it was used by the Communist forces of the Viet Cong.