Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

French M1917 150mm Trench Mortar

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. French M1917 150mm Trench Mortar Marker

Inscription. The French Army adopted trench mortars after experiencing the devastating effects of the German Minenwerfer. The rapid transition of the First World War from a war of movement to a static trench war led to the development of the heavy mortars capable of high-angle trajectories and deep penetration of overhead earth cover. The design of the 150mm Mle 1917 by DeFabry was the same as conventional Field Artillery weapons with the tube supported by two recoil-recuperators. The round was a finned projectile carrying an 11-lb. explosive charge and was loaded from the muzzle. The propellant charge was loaded from the breech and ignited by a percussion ignition system. The mortar battery, with its six pieces, could assist the infantry in reducing enemy strong points, such as machine gun nests. The battery could also attack enemy troops under cover or on the counter-slope of a hill. Broken down into three loads and carried on machine gun carts, the separate loads were transported in tandem. One horse or eight men towed the paired loads. The ammunition carts carried 20 bombs. Two bombs could be transported by the crew using a special

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harness. The 150mm Mortar M1e 1917 was used by both French and American forces.

Caliber - 5.9 in. - 150 mm
Weight - 1,353 lbs. - 615 kg
Range - 2,167 yds. - 2,000 m
Shell Weight - 37.4 lbs. - 17 kg
Muzzle Velocity - 512 ft/sec. - 156 m/sec.
Elevation - 45 to 72 degrees - 800 to 1,279 mils
Traverse - 27 degrees
Rate of Fire - 2-3 rpm
CCN# 127031

Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 90.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 34° 39.989′ N, 98° 23.055′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. It is at the intersection of Corral Road and Randolph Road, on the right when traveling west on Corral Road. The marker is located in the eastern section of Artillery Park at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Sill OK 73503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Kiowa Tribe,

in the Comanche Nation,

and in Southwest Oklahoma.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on

The French M1917 150mm Trench Mortar and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. The French M1917 150mm Trench Mortar and Marker

the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: German 250mm Heavy Mine Projector (old model) (here, next to this marker); German 170mm Medium Mine Projector, M1916 (Old Pattern) (here, next to this marker); German 15cm Rocket Launcher 41 (a few steps from this marker); Soviet M1939 76.2mm Field Gun (a few steps from this marker); German M1916 77mm Light Field Gun (a few steps from this marker); German 100mm Gun, M1917 (a few steps from this marker); Austro-Hungarian 76.5mm Field Gun, M1917 (a few steps from this marker); Austro-Hungarian 100mm Light Field Howitzer M1914/17 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sill.

More about this marker. Marker and Museum are located on Fort Sill, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public,

French M1917 150mm Trench Mortar and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. French M1917 150mm Trench Mortar and Marker

but appropriate identification is required for access for Fort Sill.

Also see . . . U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Submitted on March 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Makers plaque on the French M1917 150mm Trench Mortar image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

4. Makers plaque on the French M1917 150mm Trench Mortar

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

5. French M1917 150mm Trench Mortar and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 464 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4. submitted on March 9, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 5. submitted on March 8, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.