Mortars: The Guerrilla's Artillery

To establish the doctrine for the acquisition and employment of mortars. As an irregular force, we cannot afford the attrition of direct, frontal assaults on fortified positions. Mortars provide the capability to strike the enemy from concealment, bypassing their cover and fortifications. This is our primary tool for breaking stalemates, suppressing enemy strongpoints, and enabling the maneuver of our infantry with minimal risk.

The enemy occupies fortified outposts, roadblocks, and bases. These positions are protected by sandbags, H-barriers, and crew-served weapons, making a direct infantry attack a costly, often suicidal, proposition. Our riflemen are stymied by enemy cover they cannot penetrate.

The mortar defeats cover by attacking from above. Its high-angle trajectory allows shells to plunge directly into trenches and behind walls, striking targets that are immune to direct fire. A well-placed mortar barrage can neutralize an enemy position, allowing our assault elements to close in and destroy a suppressed and disorganized foe.

The employment of guerrilla mortars is governed by three principles: Surprise, Precision, and Mobility. A mortar's greatest strength is its ability to fire from a hidden position. Its greatest weakness is its vulnerability to counter-attack once that position is revealed. Therefore, the mortar team must strike accurately and then immediately displace to a new firing point.

This is the mortar's primary role. By dropping high-explosive (HE) rounds onto an enemy position, we force them to take cover, reduce their volume of fire, and disrupt their command and control. This pins the enemy, allowing our infantry to maneuver safely.

Against “soft” targets like unarmored vehicles, static weapons, or light structures, a concentrated mortar barrage can achieve a destructive effect.

Smoke rounds are a critical tool. They can be used to blind enemy observation posts, conceal the movement of our assault teams across open ground, or mask our withdrawal.

During night operations, parachute flares can be used to illuminate a battlefield, revealing enemy positions and aiding our own forces in an attack or defense.

A mortar is not a single weapon, but a system requiring a trained and coordinated team.

The most critical role. The FO is the eyes of the mortar. They must be concealed in an Observation Post (OP) with a clear view of the target area. They identify targets, call for fire, and provide corrections.

The gunner operates the mortar itself, aiming the tube based on the FO's instructions and firing the weapon.

The assistant prepares and hands rounds to the gunner, allowing for a high rate of fire during a “Fire for Effect” mission.

The standard round for suppression and destruction of personnel and light vehicles.

Creates a thick screen of white smoke. Use it to blind the enemy or cover your movement.

Deploys a parachute flare to light up an area at night. Be aware this illuminates your forces as well.

A disciplined fire mission ensures rounds are on target quickly and efficiently.

1. The Forward Observer identifies a high-value target (e.g., an HMG nest, a command vehicle, massed infantry).

1. The Gunner establishes the mortar in a concealed position with a planned escape route. This should be done before the fire mission is called.

1. The FO sends the target's grid coordinates to the Gunner.
2. The Gunner fires a single ranging shot. The FO observes the impact and provides a correction (e.g., “Add 50, Left 25”).
3. This process repeats until the ranging shot impacts on or very near the target.

1. Once the mortar is zeroed, the FO calls “Fire for Effect.”
2. The Gunner and Assistant Gunner fire a rapid succession of 5-10 rounds to saturate the target area.

1. Immediately upon completion of the FFE, the FO calls “End of Mission.”
2. The mortar team packs up their weapon and displaces immediately. This is the most critical step for survival.

The mortar is the guerrilla's personal artillery. It allows a small, agile force to bring devastating firepower to bear from unexpected directions, breaking fortifications and enabling victory. Its power, however, is matched only by its vulnerability. A disciplined team that masters the “shoot and scoot” principle will sow terror and confusion among the enemy. A lazy or slow team will be found and annihilated. Use it wisely, use it quickly, and disappear.