Pulling a 4.2-Inch Mortar Cart Over Rugged Terrain

Pulling a 4.2-Inch Mortar Cart Over Rugged Terrain 

Early next morning the infantry tried again, and one B Company platoon concealed the advance to the attack position with a 1,000-yard screen. The mortars maintained this screen for almost fourteen hours despite difficulties caused by shifting winds. Once the screen was established it was kept up by two WP rounds a minute, although for a short period around noon weather conditions made it necessary to raise this number to five. The mortar crews lifted the screen several 

Despite early difficulties faced by the chemical mortar battalions in their first combat action, they made a creditable record during the Sicily Campaign. The absence of established doctrine and, with the exception of the 2d Battalion, the lack of joint infantry-mortar training, resulted not only in some misuse of the battalions but in the failure to use them where they could have been employed to exceptional advantage.  

Nevertheless, reaction of ground commanders who had been supported by the chemical mortars was generally favorable, and most of them advocated chemical mortar support for all divisions committed to action. Among their comments were the equivalent of real artillery, which the chemical mortar was not, and the most eflfective single weapon used in support of infantry, a statement to which it had fair claim. 

Extracts from Training Notes from the Sicilian Campaign, in Lcr, CCmlO NATOUSA to ACCWS for Field Opns, 6 Nov 43. CWS 314.7 Personal Ltr files, NATOUSA. 

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