Flames of War Vietnam Mortar Platoon

By 1952, the M1 81mm mortar which had served US armed forces during the Second World War and into the Korean War had been superseded by the M29 81mm mortar The M29 offered an increase in range and portability due to a reduction in weight when compared to the older M1 (42kg vs. 62kg) This lighter design meant that crews could quickly move into position and set-up without much difficulty The reduction in weight also meant the crew could carry a more abundant supply of ammunition into action with them and therefore increase the effectiveness of fire missions The increase in range also allowed teams to engage targets at distances less susceptible to small arms fire Contains 6x Mortar Teams The cavalry’s support weapons included M60 machine-guns, these were deployed to provide additional firepower in defensive situations when establishing a perimeter for a Landing Zone, proving especially effective in Vietnam The battalion mortar platoon fields the M29 81mm mortar, this is an improved version of the old World War II-era M1 81mm mortar with longer range, perhaps as important to the crew, it was also 15 lb (7 kg) lighter than the older model Contains 8x Infantry Teams