81mm mortar and the Belgian Army

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daveh
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81mm mortar and the Belgian Army

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Post by daveh » 17 Jun 2016, 16:04

1918
242 Mor. 76A were taken by the Belgians after WW1 and later renovated F.R.C.

1921
The infantry gave up using the Schneider 75 Mod. 1915 and the lance-grenades Delattre in their batteries d'accompagnement. These were replaced by the renovated Mor 76 A.

1926
An Infantry Commission asked F.R.C. to improve the Mor. 76A. First thoughts were to modify the existing Mor. 76A but in the end a new design was undertaken. This new design became the Mor. 76 F.R.C.

1927
As a possible alternative to the new Mor 76, the 81m Stokes-Brandt model 27 was tested at Brasschaat. It was felt however that the Mor. 76 F.R.C. was more versatile in terms of its possible firing arcs. Hence the 81mm Stokes-Brandt mortar was rejected.

1937
Infantry Regiments received a 4th battalion containing a M.G. Company, an A.T. Company and a Mor. 76 F.R.C. company.
Active Infantry Divisions received the Mor 76 F.R.C.
First Reserve Infantry Divisions received the Mor 76A.

1940
In January 1940 GQG decided to complete the equipment of infantry divisions by using the 81mm Brandt mortars.

18 1 1940
Memorandum 1st Armament Bureau: It is proposed to await the delivery of the 81mm Mortars before deciding the vehicles to be used to transport the 81mm Mortar and to draw up the tables detailing the rounds per 81mm Mortar battery. Delivery is expected shortly.
It is expected that 3 vehicles per mortar will be used. These will probably be the same as those used for the heavy MG.

February 1940
Memorandum 1st Armament Bureau:
170 81mm mortars acquired.
Plans for the vehicles to be used to transport the mortars and their ammunirion being prepared

15 3 1940
Ateliers de Fabrication des Munitions {Zwyndrecht) notes the presence of 81mm rounds. These were for the 12 Stokes-Brandt mortars that had been ordered for the Belgian colonies.

May 1940
A GQG note of 5 5 40 stated that the equipment of infantry divisions should include:

Division Equipment
1, 2, 3 Mor 76 F.R.C.
8, 9, 12 Mor 76 A
4, 5, 6, 7. 10, 11 Mor 81

There is NO evidence for the Mor 81 ever being issued according to unit diaries, TOE, photographs etc.

7 6 40
After the Belgian capitulation Le ministere des Colonies (in Bordeaux) insists on the urgent delivery of 18 81mm mortars plus ammunition, from the USA if necessary.

Primary Source:
L'artillerie de Tranchee belge et les batteries d'accompagnement 1915-1940 by R Lothaire

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