Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the towed artillery & mortars category.
01 / Overview
M1938 mortar
Category
Country
Production
1939–
Quantity
1,942
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS · WORLD WAR II
16
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the towed artillery & mortars category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Service Entry Year1938
- Combat Weight280 kg
- Travel Weight477 kg
- Crew6
- Carriage TypeSplit Trail
- In ServiceYes
◈Ordnance7MOD.7
- Calibre120 mm
- Barrel Length (calibres)15.5
- Ordnance TypeHE, HE/FRAG, Incendiary, Smoke, Illumination
- Breech TypeMuzzle-Loading
- Recoil SystemNone / Rigid
- Muzzle BrakeNo
- Bore EvacuatorNo
▣Performance5MOD.5
- Maximum Range (standard)6 km
- Muzzle Velocity272 m/s
- Rate of Fire (sustained)10
- Elevation+45° to +80°
- Traverse6°
◇Ammunition8MOD.8
- Projectile Weight16 kg
- Ammunition TypesHE, HE/FRAG, Incendiary, Smoke, Illumination
- HE RoundYes
- Smoke RoundYes
- Illumination RoundYes
- Cluster / DPICMNo
- Precision-Guided RoundNo
- MRSI CapableNo
◆Fire Control5MOD.5
▤Mobility5MOD.5
- Self-PropelledNo
- Prime Movertwo-wheeled limber or vehicle/horse team
- Shoot-and-ScootNo
- AutoloaderNo
- Protected Crew CabNo
⬢Ammunition Handling1MOD.1
- Resupply Vehicle20-round caisson
▲Dimensions1MOD.1
- Length1.86 m
◎Production1MOD.1
- Production Start1,939 year
◈Self-Propelled Chassis1MOD.1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1927First deployment: Chinese Civil War
- 1939Production started
87
years in service
1,942
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ 7 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
M1938 MORTAR · CONFLICTS SERVED IN40% win
Total Conflicts
5
Victories
2
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
1975–1990Lebanese Civil War—→1956Suez CrisisTactical victory→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→1950–1953Korean War—→1946–1954First Indochina War—→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries9country
06 / MASS Score
TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS RANKING Towed Artillery & Mortars · World War II
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
112TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS16WORLD WAR II · TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS1066RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS7PERFORMANCE/PRICE · TOWED ARTILLERY & MORTARS
ⓘ Rankings are within theTowed Artillery & Mortarscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
High Explosive (HE) round: an artillery or mortar projectile containing explosive filler designed to inflict damage through blast and fragmentation effects.
Artillery or mortar system where propellant and projectile are loaded through the muzzle (open end) of the barrel, requiring manual ramming before firing.
Smoke grenades are pyrotechnic devices deployed by infantry fighting vehicles to create a visual screen, obscuring movement or positions from enemy observation or targeting.
A towed artillery carriage configuration where the gun is transported with its two wheels separated, allowing for easier deployment and lower profile when in firing position.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources