Firing from Mortar Tracks?

I've come across a reference in Sep 70 to mortars not being allowed to be fired from M125A1s. I was under the impression that this regulation did not exist in 1969 (or if it did, it was not adhered to).

Can anyone help please?

G'Day Bruce,

My Tp+, 4 Tp A/3 Cav, were firing 81mm mortars from M125A1s in Phuoc Tuy as late as Feb/Mar 1967. There were dangers however, including RA Inf mortar numbers who would not duck below the barrel muzzle quickly enough, or who failed to remove the bomb dropping hand from the muzzle area and thereby getting a sliced hand. If such a prohibition existed later, it was because of injury caused by a lack of familiarity by the Inf with M125A1s, or a lack of RAAC mortar crews actually manning Sqn weapons full time. I doubt if it was due to any bedding in problems or CAP orientation. Cheers, Ian Bryant

Thanks Ian.

I gather that there were some problems with torsion bar damage in 1969, leading to limitations on the charge that could be fired.

It was the AAR for Op MASSEY HARRIS (Aug 70) which referred to the ban on firing when mounted. (This was used to advanatge...having unloaded the mortars , extra vehicles became available.)

Regards, Bruce

Bruce, I have just finished talking to a post RVN ex-Cav bloke who confirms that his era soldiers were absolutely forbidden to fire. or allow to be fired, the mortars above charge 7; reason given to them was damage caused to torsion bars; and another item he mentioned was a tendency to fire over the c/cs head resulting in the firers getting knuckled heads from cranky tankies.
The infantry were prepared to accept the resultant range loss.
I don't recall torsion bar restrictions as one of Luigi's section commanders either.
Mayhap something to do with aging/usage of the APCs as the torsion bars and idler/adjustor wheels took an awful pounding from the paddy bunds, particularly during the dry season.
Regards.