British Paratroops in WWII

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I just remembered that I have War Office study on the 2-inch mortar.


WO 291/157 Performance of 2-in mortar.

Results from trials performed in 1942.

Use of the no. 2 sight is recommended to improve accuracy.

The 2-in smoke bomb was criticised for leaving smoke trails that were thought to give away the firing position; in fact the problem was with smoky propellant.

It is mentioned that the chance of hitting a target under 2-in mortar illumination at night is
approximately one-third of the chance in daylight.

The following table gives the hit probabilities and number of rounds needed to secure a 50% chance of
incapacitating the target, a standing man, at the ranges given:

Range (yds) 200 LA
Hit probability 10%
No. bombs 7

Range (yds) 400 LA
Hit probability 3.8%
No. bombs 18

Range (yds) 525
Hit probability 6.8%
No. bombs 10

Range (yds) 400 HA
Hit probability 4.9%
No. bombs 14

Range (yds) 200 HA
Hit probability 6.0%
No. bombs 12


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