I've been re-reading the stories on the tragic training accident in Nevada where at least 7 Marines were killed and I can't help but think that the reporting might be off.
A 60mm mortar going off with its team in the area shouldn't have caused that many casualties.
When conducting live fire you're required to wear your armor and helmet.
The firing crew for a mortar this small would be one Marine, maybe two if they weren't firing from the base plate.
I suspect they're really talking about the 120mm mortar. As written though I can't understand why the casualty figures would be so high.
We definitely need more info on this.
A 60mm mortar going off with its team in the area shouldn't have caused that many casualties.
When conducting live fire you're required to wear your armor and helmet.
The firing crew for a mortar this small would be one Marine, maybe two if they weren't firing from the base plate.
I suspect they're really talking about the 120mm mortar. As written though I can't understand why the casualty figures would be so high.
We definitely need more info on this.
Maybe a chain reaction from another nearby 60mm mortar? I was wondering the same thing. 60mm is pretty small right?.
ReplyDeleteI was a Nam 0341 Gunner/Squad Leader, using the M19 60mm. Me & 2 PFCs. The TO was 5.
ReplyDeleteAdd the Section Leader and trainers and I can see several people within the 7 meter effective radius of the older rounds I used, let alone the newer stuff with more explosive filler.
I do not see a chain reaction from another mortar though. The spacing would be greater and the tubes are usually inside a ring of sandbags or some other pit.
I've lost some brothers I never got the chance to meet.