81/14 Model 35 Mortar

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	Weapon: 81/14 Model 35 Mortar Type: Mortar Country of Origin: Italy Year Adopted: 1935 Overall Length (mm): 1160.0 Overall Length (in): 45.67 Weight (kg): 48.00 Weight (pounds): 105.82

The 81/14 Model 35 mortar was an Italian-designed medium mortar developed in the interwar period and extensively used during World War II. It was a licensed derivative of the French Brandt Mle 27/31 mortar, featuring an 81mm caliber and capable of firing high-explosive, smoke, and illumination rounds. The design emphasized simplicity and reliability, with a smoothbore tube, a sturdy bipod mount, and a baseplate for stability. The mortar had a range of approximately 3,000 meters, making it well-suited for infantry support roles.

Produced from 1935 onwards, the 81/14 Model 35 was a standard weapon in the Italian Army, with thousands manufactured during its service life. It saw action in various theaters, including North Africa, the Balkans, and the Eastern Front. The weapon proved effective in providing indirect fire support, delivering suppressive fire against enemy positions, and illuminating battlefields during night operations. Despite the overall quality of the design, logistical challenges and the lack of adequate ammunition supply sometimes limited its effectiveness in prolonged engagements.

The 81/14 Model 35 mortar became one of Italy's most successful artillery pieces of the war, gaining a reputation for its reliability and ease of use. Its similarity to the widely respected Brandt mortar design also contributed to its adoption by other Axis-aligned forces and use in postwar conflicts. Today, the 81/14 Model 35 is recognized as a key component of Italian military history and an example of effective adaptation of foreign technology to meet national defense needs.