The 82-PM-41 ( ), M-41 or the 82-mm mortar Model 1941 ( ) was a Soviet 82 millimeter calibre mortar developed during the Second World War as an infantry battalion mortar, and which begun production in 1941. It was differed from Model 1937 by the presence of a removable wheel base, by the arched construction base plate (as in 107-mm and 120-mm mortars), and also a different two-legged construction. Wheels were slipped over the semi-axis of the bipod feet and removed during firing. Design improvements were subordinated to the technological possibilities of production and directed toward the reduction in the weight of mortar, labour expenses of its production and improvement in the manoeuvrability characteristics. The ballistic data of the mortar Model 1941 were analogous to Model 1937. The 82- mm mortar Model 1941 had some conveniences with the transport in comparison with the Model 1937, but was less steady during firing and had worse centre of gravity in comparison with the Model 1937. For the purpose of the elimination of deficiencies in the 82-mm mortar Model 1941 its modernisation was carried out during initial production. In the course of production the construction of bipod, wheel and fastening of the sight was changed. The modernised mortar was called 82-mm mortar Model 1943. Due to the initial need to rectify design issues the mortars of 1937 Model continued to be used in the course of World War II and produced alongside with the mortars Models 1941 and 1943. Due to large numbers of the Model 1937 Mortars being lost early in the war, it is this mortar that served in the Battle for Moscow, Battle of Stalingrad, and Battle of Kursk along with other campaigns, operations and engagements of the first three years of the war.

Citations and notes

1. p.19, Norris
2. p.54, Barker, Walter
3. p.192, Bishop
4. p.136, Sweeting
5. 9, Cornish

References

• Bishop, Chris, (Ed.), The Encyclopaedia of weapons of World War II, Barnes & Noble Books, New York, 1998
• Norris, John, Infantry Mortars of World War II, Osprey Publishing, 2002
• Barker, A. J., & Walter, John, Russian Infantry Weapons of World War II, Arco Pub. Co., 1971
• Cornish, Nik, Images of Kursk: History's Greatest Tank Battle, July 1943, Brassey's, 2002
• Sweeting, C. G., Blood and Iron: The German Conquest of Sevastopol, Brassey's, 2004