1/87 Scale US 4.2" Mortar Platoon in Action

[minitnkr]

US Army 4.2" Chemical Mortar Platoon deployed in WWII Western European urban neighborhood. Various supplier structures & modified ROCO vehicles & figs w/scratched mortars.
Early idea for structures.

[scottie3158]

Paul, more exceptional builds. You say chemical mortar's what was the chemical?

[minitnkr]

Chemical battalions were designed to generate smoke screens and disperse and decontaminate poison gas. By the invasion of Sicily it was apparent they would not be used on poison gas & using HE became a thing. The invasion of Italy brought HE use of the 4.2 more common and the accuracy (rifled tube) of a company (48 tubes) caused the Germans to think the allies had invented an automatic 105mm howitzer as the 4.2" round was about the same explosive power as it. Their were instances of accuracy where a tube was challenged to take out a sniper. They put a round through the snipers' window. Another where a round went into a tanks turret hatch. Patton wrote orders that all of his divisions be equipped with at least one battalion of these weapons. They were used so much in Italy that they converted a factory to produce triggers to replace worn out ones as the US supplier couldn't keep up. They were so accurate an experienced company could put all 48 rounds within a 30' diameter circle. This accuracy was really appreciated by the infantry as short rounds were not an issue.

[scottie3158]

Chemical battalions were designed to generate smoke screens and disperse and decontaminate poison gas. By the invasion of Sicily it was apparent they would not be used on poison gas & using HE became a thing. The invasion of Italy brought HE use of the 4.2 more common and the accuracy (rifled tube) of a company (48 tubes) caused the Germans to think the allies had invented an automatic 105mm howitzer as the 4.2" round was about the same explosive power as it. Their were instances of accuracy where a tube was challenged to take out a sniper. They put a round through the snipers' window. Another where a round went into a tanks turret hatch. Patton wrote orders that all of his divisions be equipped with at least one battalion of these weapons. They were used so much in Italy that they converted a factory to produce triggers to replace worn out ones as the US supplier couldn't keep up. They were so accurate an experienced company could put all 48 rounds within a 30' diameter circle. This accuracy was really appreciated by the infantry as short rounds were not an issue.

Thank you for that information mate, I had no idea that units like this existed.

[Mickc1440]

More great work Paul and some interesting history

[Jim R]

Looking forward to it. Interesting background.

[minitnkr]

Correction: I misspoke previously. The Chemical Battalion initially had 48 tubes.
I came across this Chemical Unit info. while researching smoke screen generation to obscure engineers' bridge building. They were often deployed together for this purpose. After their success as artillery, the Chemical Mortar Battalions were often deployed separately as close support to front line troops. Later in the war the Battalion was reduced, losing a mortar company, to 36 tubes to reduce headcount. I will depict a Chemical Mortar Platoon of 4 tubes.
C&Cs encouraged.

[minitnkr]

An alternate layout. C&Cs encouraged.

[scottie3158]

An alternate layout. C&Cs encouraged.
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I prefer the first lay out, the military like things in straight lines

[minitnkr]

Thanks for the input Paul, it's always good to get others' outlook. Feels better than shouting into the void.

[adt70hk]

Chemical battalions were designed to generate smoke screens and disperse and decontaminate poison gas. By the invasion of Sicily it was apparent they would not be used on poison gas & using HE became a thing. The invasion of Italy brought HE use of the 4.2 more common and the accuracy (rifled tube) of a company (48 tubes) caused the Germans to think the allies had invented an automatic 105mm howitzer as the 4.2" round was about the same explosive power as it. Their were instances of accuracy where a tube was challenged to take out a sniper. They put a round through the snipers' window. Another where a round went into a tanks turret hatch. Patton wrote orders that all of his divisions be equipped with at least one battalion of these weapons. They were used so much in Italy that they converted a factory to produce triggers to replace worn out ones as the US supplier couldn't keep up. They were so accurate an experienced company could put all 48 rounds within a 30' diameter circle. This accuracy was really appreciated by the infantry as short rounds were not an issue.

Thanks for the info Paul. I was aware of the existence of these units....albeit the only material I have read on it in depth is by a forward observer in Korea.

[adt70hk]

Agree with Paul. Think the first layout has the edge....the building on the back right of the second one sort of gets 'lost'.....if that makes sense.

ATB

Andrew

[Neil Merryweather]

plus one from me

[Jim R]

Having a catch up. Great stuff. I also like the initial layout, seems more "military".

[JR]

I agree with my learned colleagues.
An interesting bit on their history Paul. Like the others I'd not heard any thing about them .

Having a catch up. Great stuff. I also like the initial layout, seems more "military".