Boonie Stomper Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 My Uncle served as a B-17 bombardier in WW2, and after the Axis surrender he was stationed in Istres, France. All the .50 cal. guns were removed from the B-17's and replaced with cameras for aerial survey & map making in Europe. Istres was also used as a storage area for unused German ordnance. Uncle collected several souvenirs and brought them back to the USA, I am now the fortunate owner of those things. On his "bring-back" authorization papers is "61mm Mortar Bomb-saftied". (Images below) You gentlemen are very familiar with artifacts from the European theater, so I am hoping you can confirm from which country this mortar round is from. I have a US 60mm mortar & it is of different construction. I suspect that it is German since that what was stored at Istres. The bomb casing is marked, "ACC 206 NS 38" & the brass fuze has markings in ink, "A.T.S. ???". The fin assembly is stamped, "DR-35-10-39". There are traces of black paint remaining. Question: Is it German & is the "38" & "39" the year(s) of manufacture. Thank you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Hello Boonie, I have just sold one exactly like this(no primer at the top) and with no markings? It weighed 3.3 kgs..very heavy, not sure of the length etc/ but I am sure it is the same? I bought this in a French Brocante back in 2013 and he told me it was either French or Russian....Now I am not sure at all? Great item though...Best to you...Desert Rat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boonie Stomper Posted March 20, 2017 Author Share Posted March 20, 2017 60mm apparently was a popular size for many armies--maybe because it was more portable and gave smaller units an extra "punch" when dealing with an entrenched enemy. I also have a US 60mm & a US 81mm mortar round, and the weight difference is quite a bit. When guys are packing everything on their backs, smaller would mean more rounds available/ more chances to hurt the bad guys. #1-US 81mm mortar round (missing fuze) found by my Dad on Corregidor Is. #2--US 81mm mortar fins with clips for attaching external booster charges. #3--The mountain next to my high school yielded many of these US 81mm mortar fins to young boonie stompers. When the bomb detonated, this was left. #4--Detail of the propellant primer in the tail of the mortar round. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major General Waffenamt Posted March 30, 2017 Major General Share Posted March 30, 2017 I dont think its German. I am thinking US or French. German,No. waff 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Thanks for that Waff, maybe my one, now sold was French?.....Best to You...Desert Rat 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 Many Thanks Boonie.....and Waffenamt...for your valuable knowledge on this...Best to you both...Desert Rat 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boonie Stomper Posted May 19, 2017 Author Share Posted May 19, 2017 Mystery solved & Waffenamt you were dead on. On another forum a gentleman sent me a link. Type "Brandt HE mortar" in your search & all sorts of info comes up. Yes, it is French. Thanks for your help. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted May 19, 2017 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Many Thanks Boonie....I was told it was either French or Russian...Now I know....Best to you Desert Rat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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