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Ww1 / French Mortar
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Ww1 / French Mortar
A French shell-launcher
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Media ID 614750
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10095033
Launcher Mortar Shell Weapons Ww 1
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment in time during the First World War, as French soldiers prepare to fire a mortar, a type of muzzle-loading, recoilless, un-rifled artillery piece. The image, taken in 1915, depicts the intense focus and determination of the soldiers as they load the large, heavy shell into the mortar tube. The mortar, a crucial weapon in the trenches, allowed infantry to engage enemy positions at a greater distance than could be achieved with small arms alone. Its use was particularly effective against enemy strongpoints, machine gun nests, and artillery positions. The mortar was a simple yet effective weapon, consisting of a tube mounted on a base plate, with a firing mechanism at the rear. The shell was loaded into the tube and propelled forward by the escaping gases from the burning gunpowder. The lack of rifling in the tube meant that the shell arced through the air, making it less accurate than rifled artillery, but also allowing it to be fired over obstacles and into enemy positions that were otherwise inaccessible. The photograph provides a glimpse into the harsh realities of trench warfare during the First World War. The soldiers, dressed in heavy winter coats and woolen hats, huddle around the mortar, shielding themselves from the elements and the ever-present threat of enemy fire. The muddy, churned-up ground around them is a testament to the constant shelling and bombardment that characterized the Western Front. This image is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the soldiers of the First World War, and the innovative weapons and tactics that were developed in response to the challenges of modern warfare. It is a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of historical events on our collective memory, and the importance of preserving and studying the past to better understand the present.
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