M1941 82mm (82-PM 41)

History

Like other major military powers in World War II, the Soviet Union employed mortars of various calibers as indirect fire support. These include several 50mm models such as the M1938 and M1940, the medium 82mm models M1936 and M1937, and the larger 120mm model M1938. Another 82mm product became the M1941 (recognized by the Red Army as "82-PM 41"), which was a modification of the earlier M1937, itself a modification of the M1936, from the excellent French Brandt series of 1927.

Due to its caliber, this weapon Considered an infantry battalion weapon, in contrast, the 50mm type becomes a company weapon.

M1941 introduced the use of a wheeled removable base with a pronounced arc in the baseplate, and a redesigned bipod support structure - changes designed to improve mass production (through the greater use of stamping parts) and a portability system (wheels can be attached to a bipod structure for infantry towing). While this move was well-intentioned, it was soon discovered that the M1941 had reduced its stability while firing, resulting in an overall inaccuracy.

This forced the Soviet Empire to become fully involved in the war with Germany and its Axis allies after the June 1941 invasion (Operation Barbarossa), resulting in a rapid modernization. The resulting product added new sights, an improved wheelbase, and a simplified bipod to produce the Model 1943 (M1943), which joined the M1937 and M1941 models already in circulation.

The M1941 and M1943 fired typical "teardrop" projectiles with standard HE (High Explosive) capability, mainly used against enemies in crypt or fortress positions (smoke, flares and flares were also found). The projectile contains a section of fins at its conical base for stability in flight, and the spherical body contains the fuze and explosive. The launch tube is 52 inches long and 48 inches in diameter, and when activated, the entire system weighs 126 pounds and requires several crew members to carry various major componentstypically a crew of four. Controls on the bipod allow elevation from 45 degrees to 85 degrees and traverse from 6 degrees to 11 degrees. Each 7.5-pound projectile shoots out of the barrel at 660 feet per second for a range of 3,400 yards.

Sightings were made with MPB-82 equipment. Well-trained aircrews can fire 15 to 25 rounds per minute, and overall battlefield capabilities are roughly the same as the previous M1937 series.

The M1941 was used outside the Red Army because at various times in its history it was also used by Germany (in captured samples), Albania, Cambodia, China, Czechoslovakia and East Germany (in 2nd Finland, Mongolia , North Korea, Poland, Vietnam and Yugoslavia. The weapon was in use from 1941 to the 1960s before being abandoned for more modern types.

Production spanned from 1941 to 1943.

The captured M1941 mortar was designated by the German Army as "8.2 cm Granatwerfer 274/3(r)", where "r" indicates its "Russian" origin, and "3" indicates its position behind the captured M1936. M1937 systems (referred to as "8.2 cm Granatwerfer 274" and "8.2 cm Granatwerfer 274/2").

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes