60mm M19
Overview
60mm M19
US 60mm M19 mortar on M5 baseplate with bipod.
Source: US Army -
© Public domain
KM19 (South Korean service)
Japan
Description
Introduction
The M19 is a World War 2 era 60mm light mortar of US origin. It was designed to replace the older 60mm M2 mortar in US service. Development took place in the early years of World War 2 and it was introduced in 1942.
Design
The M19 is a conventional muzzle loaded, drop fired, smoothbore mortar. It has a longer and heavier barrel than the M2. The M19 is fitted with a bipod and square baseplate. The M19 can also be fitted M1 baseplate, with elevation being done manually. The M19 can be set to be drop fired or fire by trigger lever.
Firepower
The M19 fires the same 60mm ammunition as the older M2 mortar. The maximum range is 1.8 km. The maximum rate of fire 30 rounds per minute with 18 rounds per minute being normal and 8 rounds per minute in sustained fire.
Mobility
The M19 is easy to carry by a single person. It is slightly heavier than the M2 mortar it was designed to replace. Normally it is used with the M5 baseplate and associated bipod. A more portable setup for use in the assault role is the use of the M1 baseplate without bipod.
Users
The primary user of the M19 were the US armed forces. Since the introduction of the M224 the M19 has been put in reserve. The M19 was widely exported to Asia, South America and some Western allies. The M19 is still in use with many nations.
Details
Media
60mm M19 on M1 baseplate
Soldiers with American 60mm M19 mortar on the M1 baseplate. In this setup there is no bipod, making the M19 portable at the cost of accuracy.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
60mm M19
American 60mm M19 mortar on M1 assault baseplate.
Source: dandbmilitaria.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
60mm M19
Close-up of M8 assault baseplate and trigger lever on 60mm M19 mortar.
Source: dandbmilitaria.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
60mm M19
Close-up of M8 assault baseplate on 60mm M19 mortar.
Source: dandbmilitaria.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
60mm M2
The M19 was developed to supplement and replace the M2. However, the M2 was used alongside the M19 until the 1970's.
60mm M224
The M224 replaced the M19 in US military service. It is a larger and much more capable mortar. The M224 retains the ability to be used both in conventional setup with bipod and as an assault mortar.