mortar shell

Explosive ammunition that is fired from a mortar.

Mortars can fire different types of shells. Some of these are:

• High explosive. This is a normal round which explodes when it hits the ground.
• Smoke round. This creates thick smoke, it can be various colors. It is fired on enemy positions or in open areas to block visibility, so friendly forces can move without being visible.
• White phosphorus. This makes a thick smoke screen to blind and burn the enemy, causing second and third degree burns from the explosion.
• Illumination round. This is a flare which hangs underneath a parachute. It lights up the battlefield at night.

Lighter (approximately 60 mm) mortar shells could be thrown by hand like grenades, but with shorter range due to their weight and higher risk.

See also

• artillery shell
• tank shell
• mortar (weapon)

External links

• Wikipedia: Mortar (weapon)

This tag implicates ammunition (learn more).