Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Mortar Pit

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

1. The Mortar Pit Marker

Inscription. The American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) was introduced to modern mortars in the trenches of France during World War One. The A.E.F. adopted the British Newton-Stokes design in 3-, 4- and 6-inch calibers as well as the French 240 millimeter heavy mortar. Mortars could fire high explosive, gas and smoke projectiles at a high angle into the narrow trenches.

Mortars were short range weapons. They had less than half the range of the 37 millimeter guns, but fired shells with many times more blasting power; being comparable to light artillery in that respect. Like the hand grenade and rifle grenades, the light mortar was a high trajectory weapon firing relatively heavy projectiles high into the air and plunging them almost vertically onto the target. Their chief value was in the fact that they could quickly and easily be moved into position close to the target. And having a high rate of fire of great destructive power, their surprise effect was great. The rate of fire was limited only by the speed with which the gunner could insert a shell into the muzzle after the previous shell had left it. I have seen six shells in the air at once before the first one hit the target.
Notes from the History of the Fifth Division, A.E.F.

Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I.

Location. 40° 12.383′ N, 77° 9.476′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker can be reached from Army Heritage Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sniper's Nest (a few steps from this marker); Machine Gun Post (a few steps from this marker); The Front (a few steps from this marker); No Man's Land (a few steps from this marker); Splinter Proof (a few steps from this marker); Meet Mechanic Donald D. Kyler (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the World War I Trench System Exhibit (a few steps from this marker); Command Post (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.

More about this marker. Part of the Meet Pvt. Kyler/ World War I Trench System Exhibit.

Also see . . . Mortar (weapon). Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 15, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The Mortar Pit image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

2. The Mortar Pit

Insert - A mortar in use image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

3. Insert - A mortar in use

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 299 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on January 14, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 8, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.

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