Couple AWI Weapons questions (1 Viewer)

[Currahee Chris]

Putting a call out to you AWI fans out there:

I am just starting to get into this period and am having a blast reading about all the persons and actions surrounding this era in history. Got a couple semi-technical questions regarding weapons of the AWI:

1.) Mortars- did they exist during this time period?? I went to the Army War College, Military Heritage Center again this evening and they have a mocked up Yorktowne redoubt there along the history trail. In one section, there are two arty pieces but a few feet behind them are these cast iron, tube like structures that I can only guess were early mortars?? Is this a pretty good educated guess or just rubbish??

2.) Distances between the skirmish lines- when the ranks of troops would mass and square off against each other, roughly what was the distance of engagement?? I would assume the officers would get the lines as close as they could to maximize casualites before the free for all melee. What distances, approximately did these ranks close to before they opened up on one another??

Thanks for the education. I am having fun with all this stuff.

STANDS ALONE

CC

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Chris,

I will answer the musketry question for you. The range was usually about 70 yards due to the basic inaccuracy of the muskets. They could be effective out to as far as 200 yards but that would be in the hand of a very skilled Infantryman. The units would basicly exchange fire for an unspecified period and they usually try to close the gap and use the bayonet. The Brits were masters of the platoon fire which would allow them to inflict massive damage to the enemies formation due to the steady vollys unlike some units that would fire a volley with every gun and then charge.

As for the mortars they have been around for a long time. The Turks used them to attack and enemy fleet in 1451 during the seige of Constantanople They were however very large and cumbersome and mainly were employed to lob shells over the walls of enemy forts. So I am sure they were used by both sides during the AWI but I will have to do some research to see if I can dig up any deeper details.

Hope this helps

All the best

Dave

 

[Currahee Chris]

Yeah Dave, that was dead on. You know, now that you mention it, I remember reading something about the siege there at Constantinople and the Turks use of the mortar- I believe there was a pretty big write up on that event in a MHQ about 5 years ago.

Thanks for the info!!

CC