What's new
British Ordnance Collectors Network

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

British 2 Inch Chemical mortar

peteblight

Ordnance Approved
Ordnance approved
Does anyone have any information on the British 2 inch chemical mortar?

Cheers

Pete
 
Which war?

There was an emergency demand for 2-inch mortar bombs, filled White Phosphorus, for the Battle of Loos in September 1915. Along with other stores required for smoke screens, 1,600 large 2-inch stick bombs (aka toffee apples, plum puddings) with 60lb bomb heads were supplied.




Tom.
 
The only mortar I have information on is the 4.2" Nothing at all on the 2". With the range of the 2" being relatively short you would be likely to gas your own troops.
 
Hi
2" TM How "Apple Toffee" were found in Somme and North Pas De Calais with chemical filling as Phosgen
The last find used a special cilindrical reduced eye with lead ring under the reduced support Head pistol like the same as used on 3" stokes
The filling gas was Phosgen
The gas was introduced by the head bomb or by a hole screwed at base bomb in holding place of tube.
Two other design were found and could be first test of chemical bomb
 
The attached few pages might be of interest. There is mention of 2-inch Slade trench howitzer bombs, filled White Star (50/50 phosgene/chlorine), and found to leak badly, while the 2-inch toffee apple bombs filled CG (phosgene) seemed to be more reliably sealed.


Source - MUN 4/2634, Ammunition for 2-inch Trench Mortars.
 

Attachments

  • 2-inch TM Bombs lethal.pdf
    160.9 KB · Views: 63
Last edited:
Thanks for the responses, however the mortar I’m looking for information on is the 2 inch mortar shown in the attached picture. I have a vague reference that it was filled with lachrymatory chemicals, although it may have only been experimental.

Cheers

Pete

British 2 inch mortar missing tail.jpg
 
Top