Post
by M19 MADMAL » 28 Feb 2021 22:15
Hello,
Does anyone know if some form of destructive charge was provided to destroy an M19 mortar before it was captured?
Both the M19s at Brest and St. Malo had an explosive charge placed in the Rahmenzufuehrung (ammunition frame feed) to destroy the weapon by the Germans and in both cases the outer revolving plate was lifted by the blast!
Guessing that a standard 3kg Demolition charge (or similar) was provided as the M19 bunker (633) at Ostend has a nice and unusual recess directly below the turret labelled "vernichtungs-ladung" (destruction charge) which I have not seen elsewhere.
Regards,
Malcolm

"I had expected only ruins", "It's as if I had only left the bunker yesterday!"
Herr Engelbert Hoppe. M19 bunker Commander 1944/45 when he first returned in 2006.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/StrongpointCorbiereJersey/