The Type 97 81mm medium mortar was used by the Japanese in World War II and could fire a round of 3kg to a range of almost 3km. The crew comprises: 2x loader, 1x gunner, 1x spotter.

The Japanese Type 89 was probably the best light infantry mortar during WW2. It was very light, very simple, yet highly accurate. The German equivalent was comparatively huge, heavy, and required a larger crew to carry and operate.

There is an excellent treatise from the US Military Intelligence, March 1945. See below.

Another Mortar tomorrow.