Historical Specifics:

The 170 mm Medium Minenwerfer is in poor condition. It appears to have been painted over a number of times without proper prior preparation. As a result the rust has formed under the paint. All markings are covered by paint and not readable (the registered number is taken from the AWM Trophy records). The 170 mm Minenwerfer was captured by 19 Battalion 1st AIF at Warfusee and Framerville on 18 August 1918. The War Diary of 19 Battalion show the unit was involved in the major attack on the German lines on 8 August 1918 and that 11 mortars were captured, another was overrun on 10/11 August but could not be carried out. It is therefore reasonable to assume that this minenwerfer is one of the 12 mortars mentioned above as the Battalion was relieved on 17 August and taken to the rear.

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.