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ARTILLERY REGISTER |
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| Type of Gun: |
ML 120 mm Regimental Mortar Type 55 |
| Location: |
National Artillery Museum, North Fort, Manly, NSW |
| GPS Location: |
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| Serial Number: |
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| Date of Manufacture: |
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| Manufacturer: |
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| Calibre: |
120 mm |
| Weight of Projectile: |
15.5 kg |
| Range: |
5,700 metres |
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| Historical Specifics: |
The Peoples Republic of China Type 55 120 mm mortar was a direct copy of the Soviet M1943. This was a conventional, muzzle-loaded, smoothbore mortar that could be either drop-fired or trigger-fired. An anti-double-loading device could be attached to the muzzle. During the Korean war the Chinese supplied the North Korean Army with weapons including the 120 mm mortar. In addition the Chinese forces also used it when they entered on the side of the North Koreans. This mortar was brought back to Australia as a trophy from the Korean war.
The North Korean infantry division at full strength numbered 11,000 men. It included three rifle regiments, each regiment having three battalions. The artillery support of the North Korean division in 1950 closely resembled that of the older type of Soviet division in World War II. In addition, the regiments and battalions had their own supporting weapons. Each regiment, for instance, had six 120-mm. mortars, four 76-mm. howitzers, and six 45-mm. antitank guns. Each battalion had nine 82-mm mortars and the companies had their own 61-mm mortars. |
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| General Information on Gun Type: |
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| Additional Photos: |
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