The Mortar Pit
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.
Topics.
this page online
Location. 40° 12.383′ N, 77° 9.476′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named 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); a different marker also named No Man's Land (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 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.
Other markers no longer nearby. Sniper's Nest (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); No Man's Land (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Splinter Proof (was here, next to this marker
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.)
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 583 times since then and 33 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.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide view photo of the marker showing its location in context, as per instructions. • • • • Can you help?
