60-mm Mortar Emplacements from the Corps of Engineers’ field manual FM 5-15: Field Fortifications, U.S. War Department, February 1944.
60-MM MORTAR EMPLACEMENT.
a. Open type. This consists of a rectangular pit large enough to accommodate the mortar, the gunner, and the assistant gunner. The emplacement is kept to the minimum size to afford protection against airplane fire and bombing and against artillery shells, but it allows room for firing the mortar and storing necessary ammunition. The front edge is sloped so that the aiming stake, about 10 yards to the front, is visible through the sight and so the weapon’s fire will be clear. The spoil from the excavation is piled all around the pit to form a low parapet. Foxholes for members of the mortar squad not required at the gun are prepared not far from the emplacement. Additional ammunition is placed in nearby shelters.
Figure 30. Open emplacement for 60-mm mortar. (Camouflage omitted.)
b. Two-foxhole type. This shows the 60-mm. mortar in action with only the base plate dug in, the crew operating from one-man foxholes. This two-foxhole type of emplacement is preferred when the mortar is in defilade.
Figure 31. Two-foxhole emplacement for 60-mm mortar. (Camouflage omitted.)
