Just wondering if anyone had a complete copy of this publication, dated 6th February 1943. My copy (obtained from the IWM I daren't think how long ago) starts at page 2 and finishes at page 11, so I'm obviously missing something! If anyone could share copies of the pages I'm missing it would be much appreciated. Cheers, Gary
I will see if I can dig my copy out but be warned it might be quicker ordering the one that's on Abebooks at the moment!
Thank you both very much, my copies are missing the opening and closing pages, and there is detail on page 2 that I was looking to verify. Thank you again, Gary
I was fascinated in this publication and learnt much from it but wonder if there's the equivalent for the 2" Mortar? I'm researching an accident where 3 boys were killed tampering with a 2" mortar 'blind' they'd found on a training range in Aber, N Wales in 1945. The area was under the command of Maj. Charles Longueville Willding-Jones OCTU of Battle Camp Wing, Penmaenmawr. I'd like to know what was taught at this range; I'm assuming it was platoon training in 2" mortar firing but I'd like to know how this was organized and taught. Many thanks in advance. Daffydd
Not a direct equivalent but there is the Small Arms Training manual that shows how to use the 2" mortar - there is a version online here https://vickersmg.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/01-08-39.pdf provided by Rich Fisher who is also a forum member.
Thank you so very much for this document and it was very helpful. I'm particularly interested in how blinds were dealt with on a training range. It appears from the document a senior officer would be responsible for 'destroying the bomb in the manner laid down for destroying HE grenades' (Pamphlet No13 1937 Lesson 10). Do you know how i can see this pamphlet? In your attachment it also mentioned that a Demolition Box 'will always be on the range during HE firing'. Would you know what was in this or how I might get more information about it? I much appreciate your kind help. Dafydd.
If you have a look at Small Arms Training Manuals Rich has a large range of these Small Arms Manuals accesible (I'd recommend anyone who makes use of these consider supporting him in his efforts with donation if they are in a position to do so) - it includes the Pamphlet 13 - near the top of the list is a Volume V that is a pre War Range Regulations manual - near the end of the list is another Volume V but this time a supplement on safety etc (sounds a decent bet for the contents of the box) - also worth a look at the Pamphlet 18's which cover range courses
Quite a sophisticated weapon with sight at that time . By the 60's when I fired one it had a built in baseplate steel around 6x3 and was purely a line of sight weapon I think we had to learn the high/low angle's it was to be held to achieve various ranges out to about 450 yds.
Demolition stores to be carried and method of dealing with blinds are in Appendix F to this publication. Tim
Thank you all for your kind help. Major Charles Longueville Willding-Jones who was in charge of the O.C.T.U of Battle Camp Wing, Penmaenmawr was recorded as saying in the North Wales Chronicle during a Coroner's inquiry into the accidental death of 3 boys who died while one was tampering the a 2" HE mortar on March 1954 in Bangor that "1 to 2% of the 1300 bombs [2" HE and smoke rounds] fired each month were blind". Has anybody a view on these figures; I'd be very interested if this was a high, normal or low estimate? Thank you all. Dafydd.
I enjoyed reading through this thread in regards the 3" Mortar and the link to the other manuals is of great use.
