usatvline Chapter 60 Mortar Shells
Chapter 60 Mortar Shells
Chapter 60 Mortar Shells
The news of the victory at Changshengkou and the rich spoils spread like a strong spring breeze throughout the 386th Brigade.
The soldiers talked about the swift and decisive ambush, envying the "generosity" of the main attacking force—plenty of grenades, and bayonet fighting that rivaled that of the Japanese.
While commanders and logistics officers at all levels were delighted, their discussions became more specific and in-depth.
At brigade and regimental level operational debriefing meetings, in addition to summaries of tactics and soldiers' heroic performances, one topic was repeatedly mentioned:
The two Type 97 indirect fire infantry guns (i.e., 90mm caliber mortars) and the dozens of shells that were captured.
This type of medium mortar, which accompanies infantry, has a long range and great power. Its curved trajectory can strike targets behind mountains, making it a powerful weapon for attacking and suppressing enemy forces that the Eighth Route Army desperately needed.
"This is good stuff! One shot and even the Japanese pillboxes will tremble!"
"It's a pity there are too few, only two cannons, and the shells are even more precious. Every shell fired is one less, so we can't bear to use them unless it's absolutely necessary."
"If only we could make our own shells! Even if we couldn't make the cannons, producing shells would keep those two cannons firing continuously. How powerful would that be for taking out strongholds and launching counterattacks!"
These discussions were heard constantly during breaks in the troops' rest and training.
The cannons were good cannons, but the scarcity of shells made these two cannons more like "treasures to protect the house" than to provide sustained fire support.
One day, when the commander of the 386th Brigade, Gengchen, went down to inspect his troops, he overheard several battalion and company commanders gathered around a Type 97 mortar that had just been wiped clean. They were lovingly stroking the cold barrel and discussing it enthusiastically, their words filled with longing and regret over the scarcity of ammunition.
Geng Chen heard this and his heart stirred.
He recalled the mention of the source of grenades and bayonets in the Changshengkou battle report, and also the high praise from the division's logistics department for the production capacity of the mysterious "Gouzi Village Blacksmith Shop".
Although mortar shells are much more complex than hand grenades, isn't the core of the shell just a lump of iron?
Since the blacksmith shop can make such good grenade casings, could it also have some way to make artillery shell casings?
Even if we can't build complete shells, if we can solve the problem of the shell body, and then find a way to solve the problem of the explosive charge and fuse, it would be a huge step forward.
"You guys are only thinking about using it, but not about how to keep it usable?" Geng Chen walked over, patted the base of the mortar, and his eyes were filled with thought.
"We've captured the cannon, but the shells are consumables. We can't just rely on the captured ones. These shell casings, after all, are large cast iron pieces, a bit bigger and more difficult to handle than hand grenades. We have plenty of capable people in our base."
A battalion commander said with a bitter face, "Brigade commander, that makes sense. But our repair shops can only fix guns and make grenade casings. Mortar shells, look at their shape, their threads, and the layers of explosives and the deadly fuse inside. They're very delicate and dangerous. We lack equipment, but we lack knowledgeable people even more."
Gengchen smiled and didn't say anything more, but he already had an idea in mind.
Upon returning to the brigade headquarters, he immediately drafted a report in detailing the troops' urgent need for mortar shells, analyzing their importance in enhancing the troops' firepower, and proposing a suggestion: could a few intact shells from the captured Type 97 mortars be used as samples, along with some rifles in urgent need of repair, and sent to the "relevant technical unit" for research and analysis to assess the possibility of replicating the shells or reloading them?
The report was quickly sent to the division headquarters.
This report, carrying the fervent expectations of the frontline commanders, was quickly placed on the desks of the division commander and political commissar.
The leadership attaches great importance to this.
After careful consideration and secrecy, an order was issued from the division headquarters: the Ordnance Department of the Division Logistics Department was to select an absolutely reliable, technically competent cadre who was familiar with the current state of military industry in the base area, to carry two intact Type 97 mortar shells and a number of damaged rifles awaiting repair as cover, to go to Gouzi Village in the Third District of Xingtai to make contact with Comrade Chen Yuan, the person in charge of the "Gongyi Blacksmith Shop", to conduct an on-site inspection, and to have a preliminary discussion on the technical issues related to mortar shells.
They also wanted to see if the blacksmith could produce mortar shells.
The selected person was Yang Fuyun, a senior technician from the Ordnance Department of the Division's Logistics Department.
A few days later, he and the logistics department cadres, driving seven mules and horses, carrying a small wooden box that looked particularly heavy, carefully wrapped in tattered burlap sacks and straw ropes, and more than ten baskets of miscellaneous rifles "to be repaired," arrived at Gouzi Village under the escort of a squad of soldiers.
Chen Yuan and Wen Shizhou had already received the notification.
When Yang Fuyun carefully opened the wooden box, revealing two Type 97 mortar shells with brass casings and stabilizing fins, Chen Yuan's gaze froze instantly.
This thing is much larger than a hand grenade, and its structure looks far more complex.
"Master Yang, this is—" Chen Yuan squatted down, not daring to touch it.
"The mortar shells, the ones the Japanese call the Type 97 indirect fire infantry guns." Yang Fuyun's voice was very low, with a solemn expression.
"We captured two cannons at Changshengkou, but we only had a few dozen shells left. Every shell we fired was one less. The cannons were good, but without shells they were just lumps of iron. Especially since these cannons were different calibers from our 82mm cannons. Once the shells were used up, it was hard to get more."
The Japanese artillery and shells were of a different caliber than those used domestically, and they couldn't get them from the Nationalist government.
"The commanders are thinking, 'Your craftsmanship is excellent, and you have a keen eye for detail—could we perhaps try to replicate this shell casing, even if it's just to solve the problem of the metal casing first?'"
Looking at the sleek, pre-cut fragmentation grooves on the projectile, and the complex brass propellant tube and tail fin assembly at the rear, Chen Yuan felt a pressure far greater than when he saw the grenade launcher, but also a stronger desire for challenge.
Mortar shells—that's the true core of "heavy firepower," even if it's just the outer shell.
For the Eighth Route Army, the lack of artillery was the main problem. Without artillery fire, they could only rely on human lives to capture cities and strongholds.
However, with mortars, which are suitable for mountain guerrilla warfare and mobile warfare, we would have a better chance of taking down Japanese strongholds.
"This thing—is much more difficult to make than a hand grenade," Chen Yuan said frankly. "However, now that I have it, I will definitely do my best to understand it thoroughly. I dare not say that I can make it work, but I will definitely figure out the ins and outs. Even if I can't make a complete one right away, looking at the materials and the structure might give me some inspiration for making other things."
Yang Fuyun nodded, a hint of relief on his face: "Master Chen, that's enough. The commander also meant the same thing, no pressure, just take a look and get a feel for it. Be very careful with these two rounds, don't bump them, especially this end (pointing to the fuse). If you need any tools, or if there's anything you don't understand, have Secretary Wen pass the message on to me."
After seeing Yang Fuyun off, Chen Yuan and Wen Shizhou stared at the two heavy shells on the worktable, remaining silent for a long time.
"Master Chen, this is even more difficult than a hand grenade, isn't it?" Wen Shizhou asked in a heavy tone.
"It's much more difficult," Chen Yuan took a deep breath, "but it's also much more important. With artillery shells, we can truly stand tall."
"right."
"Then think it over carefully, and tell me what you need."
"OK."
After Wen Shizhou left, Chen Yuan closed the door again and sank his consciousness into the depths of the mine.
"Flint," he commanded, "Full scan and analysis of the target: Type 97 mortar shell. Create a complete 3D model and disassemble all components."
The shell was placed in the platform's scanning port.
The green light fell from above and scanned the area from left to right.
An invisible force field enveloped the shell. In Chen Yuan's consciousness, the complex structure was dissected layer by layer. He "saw" the uniform wall thickness and intricate fragmentation grooves of the cast iron shell, "saw" the precise copper rings on the ammunition belt, "saw" the clever design of the tail fins, and even "saw" the precise and dangerous spring, firing pin, and detonator inside the fuse.
The analysis results were presented quickly.
"The heavy projectile material, casting process, wall thickness distribution, pre-fragmented groove design, projectile belt structure, tail fin assembly material and construction, propellant tube structure, and the most crucial internal detailed structure of the trigger fuse."
"According to the assessment, materials that meet the requirements can be provided for the projectile body, tail fin tube, missile belt copper ring, propellant tube, and reliable fuse, but due to regulations, they cannot be directly manufactured and need to be processed and assembled."
The casting process for projectiles is complex, and the difficulty lies in ensuring uniform wall thickness and internal structural strength to avoid barrel explosion. However, for platforms, it is very simple.
The copper rings of the cartridge belt require copper materials of specific specifications and precision machining, which the platform can directly process.
The tail fin assembly is relatively simple.
The most critical elements for the current base area are the fuse and the explosives/propellant.
The internal structure of the fuse is extremely delicate, and the requirements for materials and processing are very high. This is actually not difficult for the platform, but the fuse involves regulatory issues and cannot be directly manufactured.
The platform can provide materials according to the standards, and Chen Yuan needs to process them himself.
This is similar to the firing pin of a firearm.
However, this involves sensitive detonating agents (mercury fulminate). The explosives loaded inside the shells are not ordinary black powder or yellow dynamite (TNT), but more advanced mixed explosives whose formulation platforms can analyze.
But the filling process platform won't either.
This is not something a machine manufacturing plant should know.
It can only analyze components, but it doesn't understand chemical filling.
The propellant charge requires stable smokeless powder.
Simply put, given the conditions in Gouzi Village, and even the entire Eighth Route Army base area at present, it would be extremely difficult to completely replicate a reliable mortar shell in the short term.
However, it is possible to replicate a qualified cast iron projectile and then have a qualified arsenal handle the explosive charge and fuse.
Chen Yuan opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the two shells. The road was more difficult than he had imagined, but it wasn't entirely without gaps.
At least, he knew where the difficulties lay, which parts he could try, and which parts he had to rely on external forces for.
He picked up a pencil and began sketching and recording on paper, transforming the analysis of the "Flint" platform into a technical summary and requirements list that Yang Fuyun could understand.