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170 mm Mittlerer Minenwerfer (Medium Mortar)

Type of Gun: 170 mm Mittlerer Minenwerfer (Medium Mortar)
Location: Dungog
GPS Location:  
Serial Number: 1570
Date of Manufacture:  
Manufacturer:  
Calibre: 170 mm
Weight of Projectile: 54.5 kg
Range: 1,160 metres
         
Historical Specifics: The minenwerfer was captured by the 17th Battalion near Warfusee and Framerville in August 1918. It was allotted to Dungog in the 1920s. In recent years the minenwerfer was displayed in Lion Park but in 2007 was removed. It is understood it is in possession of the Lions Club Dungog but attempts to view the weapon has not been successful. The serial number has been obtained from the Australian War Memorial records.

The German Army equipped themselves with the first modern mortars in 1910. They were introduced as fortification artillery. Following the start of war in 1914 and the commencement of trench warfare they were moved up to the front where they could destroy a whole section of trench and were quite deadly.

By 1916 the idea had set in that these mortars were no longer a pioneering tool to smash fortifications, but a weapon intended to support the infantry. During the artillery preparation before a battle their mission was to clear barbed wire, smash enemy trenches or (shallow) dugouts and machine gun positions. When the moment of attack came, they followed the infantry closely to take out any strong points.

Barrel length in calibres: 3.8 (a/A) or 4.5 (n/A)
Weight: 525 kg (a/A) or 586 kg (n/A)
         
General Information on Gun Type:  
         
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