TAB Episode 44: WW1 2-Inch Trench Mortar

The British Army entered the First World War with no light mortars. As the stalemate of trench warfare set in and the effectiveness of German Minenwerfers became clear it was decided that trench mortars of various sizes would be needed.
Nicknamed ‘plum pudding’ or ‘toffee apple’ mortars after their projectile’s characteristic shape, the 2 inch Medium Mortar or 2 inch Trench Howitzer, was one of Britain’s first effective light trench mortar, introduced in 1915.
Check out our accompanying blog on the 2-Inch Trench Mortar over at: armourersbench...
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[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks for watching guys! If you enjoyed the video please consider supporting the project over at Patreon - www.patreon.com/thearmourersbench You can find our full accompanying blog on the 2in Trench Mortar here - armourersbench.com/2019/03/17/ww1-2-inch-trench-mortar/ Thanks for watching - Matt

[@TheArmourersBench]

We'll definitely see what we can do. Quite enjoying doing some bigger 'stuff' back to small arms next week though!

[@nutz4gunz457]

Love that the ignition system is half a gun with a string around the trigger.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Brilliant idea isn't it! They also used the same system for the 9.45-inch Heavy Mortar. Thanks for watching! - Matt

[@Reactordrone]

You see similar cut down rifle systems on smoke dischargers on British tanks in WW2.

[@carlhydes2058]

My Grandfather used these in 1916, when he was convalescing in hospital in Ypres he draw a detailed picture of this trench mortar. respect to all..

[@denmikseb]

I read somewhere that the crew took cover when firing not just because of the blast but also because that 'tail' would occasionally be blown back toward them from the target by the detonation.

[@matthayward7889]

3:15 that’s a lot of mortar bombs! Would not have liked to have anywhere near one of those things when it exploded

[@ayrtonjohn2001]

Very well made, this deserves more likes!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you! Very glad you enjoyed it. Plenty more videos on this sort of thing to come. Next up Blacker Bombard.

[@vickersmg]

Great to see and understand these items in a bit more detail. It's good to see this particular type of mortar put in context with the Stokes and other larger mortars.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thanks Rich!

[@ka8524]

@ 04:10 ''not counting the accompanying tools, and the Temple Silencer system which could be fitted'' Would love to hear more about this! Great video, as always!

[@TheArmourersBench]

I tried very hard to find a photograph of one but had no look. It was an attempt to reduce the report of the Mortar that attracted counter battery fire. The thread around the muzzle seen on the Mortar in use in Mesopatamia looks to be for the Temple silencer. Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it! - Matt

[@bobdiluted6243]

I became interested in the Temple Silencer after obtaining one of the stalks for one. Very different to the standard 2 inch hollow, blanked off, tube, being solid and 1.5 inch diameter. Apparently the Temple Silencer was a device screwed onto the muzzle, creating a flange reducing the bore at the muzzle to 1.5 inch. The stalk of the bomb had a small brass screw at the bottom and a gas check plate was screwed into this to fit the tube bore of 2 inches. Upon firing the flange caught the gas check and the momentum of the bomb ripped the soft brass thread (only about 3mm) leaving the gas check plate sealing the barrel and reducing the noise and flash of discharge. The problems being that, first the retained gas check needed to be retreived before it could be reloaded, greatly increasing reloading times (longer any way as the silencer needed to be removed to allow the 2 inch gas check down the tube) and it retained the hot gases so the barrel quickly overheated. Not a problem normally associated with reduced rates of fire. Also the tube was solid to try and overcome the propensity it had to fire straight back at the firing position, it is about 3 x heavier than a standard tube. All in all not a great success and the obvious advantages of the Stokes rendered the Temple Silencer one of those historical curiosities.

[@charliemyres5450]

First time I have seen this weapon - great report!

[@edic2619]

Great video.

[@dougdouglas3945]

Well presented, well researched, good video. Thanks for the effort.

[@TheArmourersBench]

Thank you! Thanks for watching .

[@b.griffin317]

I thought this would be about the 2" WWII platoon mortar. still interesting.

[@TheArmourersBench]

A future episode no doubt! Thanks for watching. - Matt

[@b.griffin317]

@@TheArmourersBench I think I found you through Ian @ ForgottenWeapons

[@b.griffin317]

@wood1155 true.

[@TheArmourersBench]

That's great to hear, do love Ian's videos. - Matt

[@15098D]

“Bloody Welsh murderers” has Gotta hit hard

[@-Maeola-]

How'd you like THEM apples...

[@stevefriswell5422]

I didn’t know about this weapon. Thanks

[@sirbob61]

Lovely work as always

[@TheArmourersBench]

Very glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching! - Matt

[@sudnoss]

Jünger readers where you at?

[@proximacentauri3627]

First time reader and I'm up to the part leading up to the battle of the Somme and these "toffee apples" are way bigger than I was imagining. Seeing so many piled up was a shock!

[@azadiramzi5351]

It kind a looks like hell Mortars

[@RedWolf777SG]

The Lollipop of DOOM! Mwa-ha-ha-ha! 😈

[@wat8437]

Do you have another channel with mysteries & stuff like that? I know i recognize your voice

[@TheArmourersBench]

No! So I have a voice doppelganger who's into mysteries? Cool.

[@asd36f]

Was the fuse in the box that was taped to the projectile?

[@TheArmourersBench]

Yes I believe so.

[@asd36f]

@@TheArmourersBench That’s the quickest response I’ve had to a KZbin comment!

[@TheArmourersBench]

Always aim to please hear at TAB Graham haha. Thanks for watching.

[@Jesses001]

They used the cut down rifle system for smoke mortars and flares in tanks as well. It is just a thing the Brits like to do it seems, ha.