Should a 120mm mortar be towed by a prime mover?

[plloyd1010]

An academic question at this point, but interesting. A medium mortar cannot ne towed, thus could not. But the Soviet 120-mm mortar Model 1943 was designed to be towed on a small carriage. The 160mm, appearing in Modern War, is towed only. The German copy of 1943 is also towed only. But both the 160mm and the German 120mm have the red T's, making the issue a little less ambiguous.

I think all 3 should be towable by prime movers.

[Shad]

Is there any legitimate reason it couldn't be? too small tires? no hitch location? If not, tow it.

[plloyd1010]

Is there any legitimate reason it couldn't be? too small tires? no hitch location? If not, tow it.

In reality, I don't think so. In the rules, it could be construed otherwise:

• Prime Movers: any weapon unit; no personnel units may be carried.
  
• Personnel Unit: A generic term encompassing units that are composed primarily of manpower and man-powered vehicles like bicycles, as opposed to armored vehicles or transports. Examples include (but are not limited to) Motorcycles (MTC), mortars, anti-tank rifles (ATR), infantry (INF), marines (MAR), paratroopers (PARA), cavalry (CAV), heavy machine guns (HMG), and engineers (ENG).
  

See what I mean?

[treadasaurusrex]

Hey Peter,

I think you are correct. 

My old Mortar Platoon Sergeant came up with this note:  

This Soviet-era muzzle-loading mortar could easily broken down into three parts – barrel, bipod and baseplate – for movement over short distances or towed by a GAZ-66 truck on a two-wheeled, tubular carriage. The baseplate mounting permits all-azimuth firing, however as with most Soviet mortars it was difficult to turn rapidly over a wide traverse. It could accommodate small-angle shifts of up to 6 degrees without having to shift the baseplate though.

[plloyd1010]

Hey Peter,

I think you are correct. 

My old Mortar Platoon Sergeant came up with this note:  

This Soviet-era muzzle-loading mortar could easily broken down into three parts – barrel, bipod and baseplate – for movement over short distances or towed by a GAZ-66 truck on a two-wheeled, tubular carriage. The baseplate mounting permits all-azimuth firing, however as with most Soviet mortars it was difficult to turn rapidly over a wide traverse. It could accommodate small-angle shifts of up to 6 degrees without having to shift the baseplate though.

Thanks. I read that too. Basically it means there is a hookup and wheels which could be used.