Hi chaps Who operated the 3'' Mortar during WW2 in an infantry division? Was it issued at Battalion level? Just confused; the Vickers was operated by Divisional troops? Who operated 3'' Mortars in the 49th and 53rd Inf Divs? Did the Princess Irene Brigade have 3''? This is a 3'' mortar team of the 2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regt, 160th Infantry Brigade, in action during the advance of 53rd (Welsh) Division towards Laroche in Belgium, 5 January 1945 which makes me think it was a Battalion asset. Thanks in advance Smudge
The 3" Mortar was issued to infantry battalions. It was used by the mortar platoon, part of support company (originally called HQ company).
In the standard infantry divisions, Vickers were operated by the divisional machine gun battalions. These also fielded the 4.2" mortars in the latter half of the war. Of course, there were variations and exceptions over time, a significant one being the decentralisation of the MG Bns as Brigade Support Companies c1943, which I believe has a thread of its own somewhere round here...
I suggest picking up Ben Kite's Stout Hearts - it'll really help understand Battalion, Brigade and Divisional structure.
1st battalion beds and Herts had 8 x 3 inch mortars in 1941/42 that I do know. Also in an airborne battalion HQ Coy had 3 x 3 inch mortars and 3 x Vickers MMG. Alex.
