Mortier de 58 mm type 2

Mortier de 58 mm type 2
Mortier de 58 mm type 2
Type	Medium trench mortar
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1915-1940
Used by	France; Kingdom of Italy; Poland; Serbia; United States
Wars	World War I
Production history
Designer	Commandant du Génie Duchêne; Général de Brigade Jean Dumézil
Manufacturer	Saint Etienne
Specifications
Mass	Barrel & Breech:; 75 kg (165 lb); Carriage: 226 kg (498 lb)
Crew	5
Shell	18 kg (40 lb) (LS); 20 kg (44 lb) (ALS); 35 kg (77 lb) (DLS)
Calibre	58.3 mm (2.3 in); (barrel only)
Elevation	+45° to +82.5°
Maximum firing range	1,250 m (1,370 yd) (LS); 1,450 m (1,590 yd) (ALS); 670 m (730 yd); (DLS)
Filling weight	5.35 kg (11 lb 13 oz) (LS); 6.4 kg (14 lb 2 oz) (ALS); 10 kg (22 lb 1 oz) (DLS)

The Mortier de 58 mm type 2, also known as the Crapouillot or "little toad" from its appearance,[1] was the standard French medium trench mortar of World War I.

History

In 1914, Major Duchêne of the Engineers (of the 33rd Corps belonging to X Army) proposed to have a tube made which could project a fairly heavy projectile at greater or lesser distances. The idea came to the knowledge of Marshal Joseph Joffre, Commandant Duchêne was directed to the Bourges pyrotechnics school to develop the system. It was tested in November of that same year with a 120 mm cast iron shell fitted with fins. Improved and equipped with a 16 kg bomb, the system devised by Duchêne gave rise to the 58 mm mortar,[2][3] and was used from January 1915 after conclusive operational tests.[4][5]

The mortar was used in operations during the Gallipoli campaign.[6]

Combat use

3 types of bomb were available:[7]

Light L.S. bomb - 18 kg, containing 5.35 kg explosive. 6 wings, hollow plugged tail.
Heavy D.L.S. bomb - 35 kg, containing 10.0 kg explosive. 6 wings, hollow plugged tail.
Medium A.L.S bomb - 20 kg, containing 6.4 kg explosive. 3 wings, unlike the other 2 it has a hollow tail which contained the propellant charge, placing thrust closer to center of gravity and increasing range and accuracy. Not yet in common use as at March 1918.

Examples of capabilities:[8]

To destroy a 3m x 3m blockhouse, 60-80 D.L.S. bombs or 100-150 L.S. bombs were required.
To cut a passage through barbed wire defenses 40 m wide x 30 m deep, 120 D.L.S. bombs or 200 L.S. bombs were required.

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

2 inch Medium Mortar Early British equivalent
Newton 6 inch Mortar Later British equivalent

Surviving examples

Many places around France, especially as war memorials.
At the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw.
Passion & Compassion 1914-1918. French Artillery - photographs of surviving examples

Gallery

Carrying bombs in a trench.
With A.L.S. bomb loaded.
An Italian mortar captured by the Austrians.

Notes

"Origine du mot " Crapouillot "" (in French). Forum PAGES 14-18. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2020. Effectively, this name designates the smooth bronze mortar Mle 1838 which, after being in service in forts, was relegated as trench artillery. This name of "crapouillot" was then systematically attributed to the 58 mortar, which is an error .... The word "Crapouillot" is derived from that of "Crapaud", which formerly referred to a mortar carriage, made of wood or metal, or even this ordnance itself [as a generic term]...The « Dictionnaire de l’artillerie », published in 1822}.. gives "Crapaud" the following definition : "Former name of the mortar carriage"
"Il y a 100 ans, Edgar Brandt inventait l'obusier pneumatique" (in French). Forum PAGES 14-18. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2020. In 1915, and after the “Race to the Sea”, the positions of the belligerents became static. This ushered in trench warfare, which required new weaponry. The Germans had high trajectory weapons which make it possible to reach the interior of the opposing trenches, the French army can only retaliate with antiquated bronze mortars and rudimentary weapons. But, under the leadership of Commandant Duchêne, things evolved, notably with the 58 mm T. No. 1 mortar, nicknamed the "crapouillot". Note that in the United Kingdom, at the same time, Sir Wilfred Stokes is developing his "trench mortar".. Edgar Brandt benefited from permission to develop a formidable weapon: the Portable 60 mm pneumatic howitzer with curved fire and pivoting breech, resting on a tripod machine gun mount.
"Enigme particulièrement difficile!" (in French). Forum PAGES 14-18. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2020. This Schneider mortar is a bit heavy but very well finished material, used later, barely modified, on Schneider tanks. However, on closer inspection, our "siege engine" was obviously designed by an artilleryman: material equipped with a makeshift brake and possessing a certain mobility. All this takes us away from the simple, even simplistic, conception of Major Duchêne, an engineer who imagined a machine of disarming simplicity when he designed the 58 No. 1 trench mortar intended to shoot at close proximity to the enemy while the artillerymen prefer to act "further away". All this brings us back to the beginning of 1915 when it was necessary to "develop something" to respond to the fire of the Minenwerfer.
"Mortiers type Xe Armée" (in French). Forum PAGES 14-18. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2020. On 18 January 18, 1915, General Dumézil and Commandant Duchêne brought in person the first model to General de Maudhuy, particularly eager to respond to the 245mm Minenwerfer which had just entered into action on the battlefront of X Army. In February 1915, 40 examples of 58T mortars were in service with the Armies, especially with X Army and in the Argonne... I therefore think that the term "mortar of X Army" refers to the first 70 mortars of 58T, sometimes called "Duchêne devices" and the complementary series of 110 examples whose materials are called mortars of 58 T n° 1.
"Mortier de 58 mm T. n°2 dit "Crapouillot"" (in French). musée de l'Armée. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
"A French battery at Gallipoli". Great War Forum. 31 July 2006. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
Manual for Trench Artillery. Part V. The 58 No.2 Trench Mortar. US Army, March 1918. Page 9
General notes on the use of artillery. France. Ministère de la guerre. 1917. Page 42

References

Manual for Trench Artillery. Part V. The 58 No.2 Trench Mortar. US Army, March 1918. Translated from French manual. Made available online by Combined Arms Research Library
General notes on the use of artillery. France. Ministère de la guerre. 1917. Translated and republished by US Army War College, November 1917

External links

"SPECIFICATIONS FOR No. 58-2 EMPLACEMENTS type I and II". US Army War College, March 1918.

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[Crapouillot-1] "Origine du mot " Crapouillot "" (in French). Forum PAGES 14-18. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2020. Effectively, this name designates the smooth bronze mortar Mle 1838 which, after being in service in forts, was relegated as trench artillery. This name of "crapouillot" was then systematically attributed to the 58 mortar, which is an error .... The word "Crapouillot" is derived from that of "Crapaud", which formerly referred to a mortar carriage, made of wood or metal, or even this ordnance itself [as a generic term]...The « Dictionnaire de l’artillerie », published in 1822}.. gives "Crapaud" the following definition : "Former name of the mortar carriage"

[Mortiers_Brandt_1915-2] "Il y a 100 ans, Edgar Brandt inventait l'obusier pneumatique" (in French). Forum PAGES 14-18. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2020. In 1915, and after the “Race to the Sea”, the positions of the belligerents became static. This ushered in trench warfare, which required new weaponry. The Germans had high trajectory weapons which make it possible to reach the interior of the opposing trenches, the French army can only retaliate with antiquated bronze mortars and rudimentary weapons. But, under the leadership of Commandant Duchêne, things evolved, notably with the 58 mm T. No. 1 mortar, nicknamed the "crapouillot". Note that in the United Kingdom, at the same time, Sir Wilfred Stokes is developing his "trench mortar".. Edgar Brandt benefited from permission to develop a formidable weapon: the Portable 60 mm pneumatic howitzer with curved fire and pivoting breech, resting on a tripod machine gun mount.

[Enigme-3] "Enigme particulièrement difficile!" (in French). Forum PAGES 14-18. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2020. This Schneider mortar is a bit heavy but very well finished material, used later, barely modified, on Schneider tanks. However, on closer inspection, our "siege engine" was obviously designed by an artilleryman: material equipped with a makeshift brake and possessing a certain mobility. All this takes us away from the simple, even simplistic, conception of Major Duchêne, an engineer who imagined a machine of disarming simplicity when he designed the 58 No. 1 trench mortar intended to shoot at close proximity to the enemy while the artillerymen prefer to act "further away". All this brings us back to the beginning of 1915 when it was necessary to "develop something" to respond to the fire of the Minenwerfer.

[Mortiers_type_Xe_Armée-4] "Mortiers type Xe Armée" (in French). Forum PAGES 14-18. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2020. On 18 January 18, 1915, General Dumézil and Commandant Duchêne brought in person the first model to General de Maudhuy, particularly eager to respond to the 245mm Minenwerfer which had just entered into action on the battlefront of X Army. In February 1915, 40 examples of 58T mortars were in service with the Armies, especially with X Army and in the Argonne... I therefore think that the term "mortar of X Army" refers to the first 70 mortars of 58T, sometimes called "Duchêne devices" and the complementary series of 110 examples whose materials are called mortars of 58 T n° 1.

[muséeArmée-5] "Mortier de 58 mm T. n°2 dit "Crapouillot"" (in French). musée de l'Armée. Retrieved 27 September 2020.

[Gallipoli58T-6] "A French battery at Gallipoli". Great War Forum. 31 July 2006. Retrieved 27 September 2020.

[7] Manual for Trench Artillery. Part V. The 58 No.2 Trench Mortar. US Army, March 1918. Page 9

[8] General notes on the use of artillery. France. Ministère de la guerre. 1917. Page 42

French artillery of World War I
Anti-aircraft guns	Canon de 75 antiaérien mle 1913-1917
Coastal artillery	Canon de 100 mm Modèle 1891 Canon de 145 L modele 1916 Saint-Chamond Canon de 155 L modele 1916 Saint-Chamond Canon de 19 C modèle 1870/93 Canon de 19 C modèle 1875 Canon de 24 C modèle 1876 Canon de 240 L Mle 1884 Mortier de 270 mm modèle 1889
Field artillery	Canon de 75 modèle 1897 Canon de 75 modèle 1912 Schneider Canon de 75 modèle 1914 Schneider De Bange 90 mm cannon Obusier de 120 mm C modèle 1890 Obusier de 120 mm mle 15TR
Infantry guns	Canon d'Infanterie de 37 modèle 1916 TRP
Medium and heavy artillery	Canon de 105 mle 1913 Schneider Canon de 155 court modèle 1904 Rimailho Canon de 120 mm modèle 1878 Obusier de 155 mm C modèle 1881 Obusier de 155 mm C modèle 1890 Canon de 155 C modèle 1917 Schneider Canon de 155 C modèle 1915 St. Chamond Canon de 155 L modèle 1877/14 Schneider Canon de 155 L Modele 1917 Schneider Canon de 155 L modèle 1918 Schneider Canon de 155mm GPF De Bange 155 mm cannon Canon de 220 L mle 1917 Mortier de 220 modèle 1915/1916 Schneider
Mortars	Mortier de 58 mm type 2 Mortier de 75 modèle 1915 Schneider Mortier de 150 mm T Mle 1917 Fabry Mortier de 240 mm Mortier de 270 mm modèle 1885 Mortier de 270 mm modèle 1889
Mountain artillery	Canon de 65 M modele 1906 Canon de 76 M modele 1909 Schneider Canon Court de 105 M modele 1909 Schneider
Railway artillery	Canon de 140 sur affut-truc mle 1884 Canon de 164 modèle 1893/96 TAZ Canon de 19 C modèle 1875 Canon de 19 modèle 1870/93 TAZ Obusier de 200 "Pérou" sur affût-truck TAZ Schneider 24 cm Canon G modèle 1916 Canon de 240 L Mle 1884 Canon de 240 modèle 93/96 TAZ Canon de 274 modèle 93/96 Berceau Canon de 274 modèle 87/93 Glissement Canon de 305 modèle 93/96 TAZ Canon de 305 modèle 1893/96 à berceau Canon de 305 modèle 1893/96 à glissement Canon de 32 modèle 1870/81 à glissement Canon de 32 modèle 1870/84 à glissement Canon de 32 modèle 1870/93 à glissement Canon de 340 modèle 1893 à glissement Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à berceau Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à glissement Obusier de 370 modèle 1915 à berceau Canon de 370 modèle 75/79 Glissement Obusier de 400 Modèle 1915/1916 Obusier de 520 modèle 1916
Siege artillery	Obusier de 120 mm C modèle 1890 Canon de 120 mm modèle 1878 Obusier de 155 mm C modèle 1881 Obusier de 155 mm C modèle 1890 Mortier de 220 mm modèle 1880 Canon de 240 L Mle 1884 Canon de 240 TR Mle 1903 Mortier de 270 mm modèle 1885 Mortier de 270 mm modèle 1889 Mortier de 280 modèle 1914 Schneider Mortier de 293 Danois sur affut-truck modèle 1914 Mortier de 370 modèle 1914 Filloux
Self propelled artillery	Canon de 194 GPF Canon de 220mm L Mle1917 Schneider (FAHM) Mortier 280 mm TR de Schneider sur affût-chenilles St Chamond
Armoured vehicle guns	Puteaux 37 mm SA 18 Canon de 75 modèle 1897