Examination of Communist Chinese Ammunition Production/Inventory
B. Mortar Ammunition
The great preponderance of mortars and mortar ammunition in the Chinese Communist Army comprises foreign makes. The most used foreign mortars have been the United States 60mm, 81mm, and 4.2inch, the Soviet 82mm and 120mm, and the Japanese 81mm and 90mm types. The Chinese Communists have also captured and produced considerable numbers of the Nationalist 60mm mortar Type 31 (1942), 82mm Type 20 (1931), 120mm Type 33 (1944), and 150mm mortar Type 29 (1940). The weapons and ammunition manufactured by Communist China are generally imitations of those of foreign countries.
The only types of mortar shells produced by Communist China have been the conventional teardrop-shaped high-explosive shell; propaganda shells; and a cylindrical 60mm high-explosive shell to which a threaded 120mm warhead may be attached in the field, and which may be fired as a mortar shell or used as a demolition charge. These shells are made primarily of cast iron and secondarily of forged steel. The most used high-explosive filler is TNT. The shells may have 6, 8, or 12 fins on the fin shaft, and 3, 4, or 5 gas check bands on the bourrelet.
The fin assemblies are designed to receive either the shotgun shell press-fit or the screw-in type of ignition cartridge, and bagged propellent increments. The propellent increments are attached to the fin assemblies by cloth ties, coiled springs, or spring clips, or are wedged in slots of the fins. The Chinese Communists produce a multitude of brass point detonating mortar fuzes of instantaneous or slight delay action.
For shipment the shells, equipped with felt or plastic nose plugs, are packed in wooden boxes. Boxes of different dimensions are made to hold six, eight, or ten 60mm mortar shells; two, three, or four 82mm mortar shells; and one or two 120mm mortar shells. In the wooden box is one or more small metal or wooden containers which hold propellent increments bags, ignition cartridges, and fuzes in sufficient number to make each shell into a normal complete round. On occasion extra ignition cartridges may be found, but rarely are the maximum number of propellent increments a shell can use packed with the shells.
An instruction sheet is normally found in each box of mortar shells.
The ammunition marking system used by the Chinese Communist Forces is quite confusing, and does not appear to be subhect to any set standard. Boxes are seldom marked in the same manner. English and Oriental letters, words, and numbers are used almost without discrimination; markings do not always appear on the box in the same location; and the extent of the markings varies greatly. It would seem that the only attempt at uniformity lies with each producing arsenal. The markings which appear on the box in varying degrees indicate the caliber and type of the shell and weapon; the manufacturing arsenal; the year, month, and day of manufacture; the gross weight, volume, and dimensions of the box; the lot number of the contents; and handling instructions. A sample of Chinese Communist mortar shell packaging with its markings is illustrated below.
The small container which protects the propellent increments, ignition cartridges, and fuzes may be painted black or left unpainted. Some of these containers are stenciled with a list of the contents; some have a label glued to the top, which presents essentially the same information; and some are void of markings.
Some Chinese Communist 82mm mortar rounds are found in hermetically sealed, cylindrical, metal containers, packed three to a wooden box. Each of the metal containers holds a shell, with fuze and ignition cartridge assembled, and six propellent increments. The markings on the metal container are the same as those on the shell. As with the packing boxes, there is no sound system to the manner of identifying the components of complete mortar rounds. The high-explosive shells are of different colors, and the method of marking the components is inconsistent, varying with the producing arsenals.
The bodies of Chinese Communist high-explosive mortar shells have been found painted black, gray, blue, or olive drab, with stenciled markings in white, yellow, or red. The stenciled markings appear on the shell body in varying degrees of completeness. When given in full, they indicate the caliber and type of the shell, the manufacturing arsenal, the explosive filler, the date of manufacture, and the weight classification.
For the most part, the many different mortar fuzes produced by the Chinese Communists bear no identification markings. Some fuzes, however, bear stamped markings that give the date of manufacture, the manufacturing arsenal, the Chinese type number, and the type of action, ie: "O" for instantaneous action or "U" for delay action.
Stenciled markings have been found on some ignition cartridges and propellent increment bags produced by the Chinese Communists. These markings are believed to indicate the type of charge, the weight, the lot number, the arsenal, and the date of manufacture. More commonly, these components will be found unmarked. The many colors of the silk propellent increment bags have not been significant as a means of identification.
60mm Mortar Shell, HE
This high-explosive mortar shell is fired from the 60mm mortar Type 31. The complete round consists of five components: A point detonating fuze (designation unknown), a cast iron shell body, a fin assembly, an ignition cartridge, and propellent increments which can be adjusted for zone firing.
The shell body, which is made from low-strength cast iron, is of the convential teardrop design for HE mortar shells. Because of its low strength and brittleness, cast iron is considered to be an excellent choice of material for the shell body. The shell body is usually filled with TNT. The fin assembly, which stabilizes the shell in flight, consists of a steel cartridge container (drilled out to hold an ignition cartridge of the shotgun shell type) and four pairs of vanes which are spot welded at equal intervals around the container. Between the rows of fins is a total of 16 flash holes, each approximately 0.17 inch in diameter. The forward end of the cartridge container is a threaded plug, for attachment to the base of the shell. Within the cavity of the cartridge container is a 360* groove located approximately 0.26 inch from the open end. This groove serves to permit the metal base of the ignition cartridge to expand when fired, thus keeping the cartridge in position during flight.
The shell is painted blue, with the arsenal mark in white, and a double dash (- -), presumably the weight classification, in yellow. The fuze is of brass, and the increments bags are respectively green, white, and brown. A known variant of this projectile differs significantly only in markings and in having a threaded primer which retains the ignition cartridge in the fin assembly.
The Chinese Communist 60mm mortar ammunition is interchangeable with United States 60mm mortar ammunition.
Note. The dimensions given above for the ignition cartridge have not been verified.
Characteristics
Caliber: 60mm (2.36 in)
Weight of complete round w/o increments and ignition cartridges: 1.5kg (3.25 lb)
Weight of propellant: 24gm (0.85 oz)
Type of filler: TNT
Weight of filler: 0.12kg (0.26 lb)
Maximum number of increments: 4
Packaging
The packing box for this round has a capacity of ten shells. The box is of sturdy construction, usually of soft pine wood. It contains two layers of mortar projectiles, separated by suitable wooden spacers, and a hermetically sealed can holding the propellent increments and igniters. The box has outside cleats on the top, bottom, and sides. Markings on the box vary greatly, but usually include the symbols shown above, which identify the contents loosely by caliber.
60mm Mortar Shell, HE, Long, High Capacity With Supplementary 120mm Warheads
This high-explosive mortar shell is fired from the Chinese 60mm mortar Type 31. The one-piece shell body is a machined, thin-walled, steel tube. Both ends of the tubular body are threaded; the forward end receives the cast iron head, which mounts a brass fuze, and the rear end receives the tail assembly. An aluminum centering ring is fastened near the middle of the body by means of a set screw. The steel tail assembly consists of the bourrelet, a fin shaft, and eight fins. Four equidistant circumferential grooves are cut into the bourrelet, to form the gas check bands. The fins are spot welded to the fin shaft. The ignition cavity is not threaded. The brass point detonating fuze is similar to the fuze used in the Chinese 87mm HEAT rockets.
The shell possesses an unusual configuration, and is apparently extremely cheap to manufacture. It is believed that the ballistic characteristics of the round would be poor.
The complete round is painted dark green, with yellow stenciled markings, except that the fuze, bourrelet, and centering ring are unpainted.
The round illustrated above is not limited to used with a 60mm warhead, but also may be found with either of two different types of 120mm warhead. One is fabricated of three rolled steel plates welded to form a container approximately 11.5 inches long, with a cylindrical center section and conical ends. One end is threaded to screw on to the shell body of the 60mm long mortar round, and the other end is threaded to receive the fuze. The other 120mm warhead is of one-piece construction, made of steel, has a rounded nose, and is approximately 9.62 inches long.
Note. Drawings of the ignition cartridge and propellent increments have not been derived from actual specimens, but are based on analysis of rounds from which these components were missing.
Characteristics
Caliber: 60mm (2.36 in)
Weight of complete round, w/o ignition cartridge, w/o 120mm warhead: 3.62kg (8 lb)
Weight of propellent: ?gm (? oz)
Type of filler: RDX
Weight of filler: 0.06kg (0.16 lb)
Maximum number of increments: ?
Type of filler in 120mm warhead: TNT
Weight of filled in 120mm warhead: 3kg (6.6 lb)(approx)
Weight of filled 120mm warhead: 4.61kg (10.25 lb)
The 60mm long rounds are packed four to a tin-covered box, which also contains four Type 137 instantaneous impact mortar fuzes and several extra increment charges. Two 120mm warheads are packed in a separate wooden box that also contains two hermetically sealed tin cans, each holding a fuze and igniter.
82mm Mortar Shell, HE (6 Fins)
This conventional teardrop-shaped mortar shell is fired from the Chinese 82mm mortar Type 20 (1931). It has six fins for stabilization and uses a screw-in type of primer with separate ignition cartridge. Up to six propellent increments of flaked smokeless powder in silk bags may be secured between the fins by spring clips which are retained on the fin shaft or wedged in slots in the fin. The explosive filler is cast TNT.
The cast iron shell body, which has a wall thickness averaging 0.45 inch, is painted black, and bears stenciled markings in white or yellow. The stenciled marking indicate the caliber, the filler, the weight class, and the manufacturer of the shell.
The truncated brass instantaneous fuze used in the shell weighs 0.55 pound and is similar to the fuze found in the Chinese 60mm mortar shell and in Chinese copies of the Japanese 81mm mortar shell. A copper shear wire passing through the nose of the fuze is the only safety in the fuze. The fuze is unpainted and is stamped with the date of manufacture. The silk propellent increment bags may vary in color of the material, but they are of equal weight (5.96g or 0.21 oz). Some ignition cartridges and increment bags have been found with stenciled markings which presumably designate the arsenal, lot, and weight markings.
Characteristics
Caliber: 82mm (3.23 in)
Weight of complete round: 3.89kg (8.59 lb)
Weight of propellant: 35.76gm (1.26 oz)
Type of filler: Cast TNT
Weight of filler: 0.38kg (0.84 lb)
Maximum number of increments: 6
These shells are packed in two-, three-, and four-round wooden boxes; the four-round box is the most common. The shells, which are supported within the box by braces, may be transported fuzed, but generally have nose plugs and not fuzed until just before firing. Regardless of the numer of shells in the box, there are always sufficient fuzes, ignition elements, and propellent increments in the box to make all rounds complete. Occasionally extra ignition elements are found.
Most often the fuzes, ignition elements, and propellent increments are found in a cylindrical or rectangular can, but they may also be found stowed in a wooden compartment of the box. An instruction sheet is found within the box. The box markings may indicate the caliber and type of shells, the arsenal, the date, and handling instructions. These markings vary greatly, but usually include the symbols shown above which identify the contents loosely by caliber.
82mm Mortar Shell, HE (8 Fins)
This cast iron, teardrop-shaped mortar shell is fired from the Chinese 82mm mortar Type 20 (1931). It differs from other Chinese mortar shells in the narrowness of the bourrelet and the shape of the eight fins. The 0.55 pound bursting charge of this shell is cast TNT. The body wall thickness averages 0.52 inch. The ignition cartridge is a press-fit, 12-gauge, shotgun-shell type. The eight white silk increment bags used with the shell are secured between the fins by a coiled spring which passes through holes in the fins.
The shell is painted gray, except that the bourrelet is unpainted. Known markings on the shell indicate the manufacturing arsenal, the weight class, and the type of shell; these markings are stenciled in white or yellow. The brass point detonating fuze used with the shell incorporates many features of the French Brandt mortar fuze. The Chinese fuze does not contain a delay element. Stamped markings on the fuze indicate the manufacturing arsenal, date, and fuze type. The fuze weighs 0.44 pound.
Characteristics
Caliber: 82mm (3.23 in)
Weight of complete round w/o increments: 3.76kg (8.29 lb)
Weight of propellant: 44.88gm (1.6 oz)
Type of filler: Cast TNT
Weight of filler: 0.25kg (0.55 lb)
Maximum number of increments: 8
Three shells each with a nose plug and a protective greased cloth strip around the bourrelet, are packed in a wooden box and supported by braces placed over their fin shafts. At one end of the box, a compartment is available for the stowage of a small metal or wooden container holding the 3 fuzes, 3 ignition cartridges, and 24 propellent increments for the shells.
Stenciled markings on the large box may indicate the caliber and type of the shells, the number of ocomplete rounds, the loaded weight of the box, and the manufacturer's symbol. An instruction sheet is usually placed inside the box. There is considerable variation in box markings, but the symbols shown above usually appear somewhere on the box, and identify the contents broadly by caliber.
82mm Mortar Shell, Propaganda
This cylindrical-bodied, six-finned mortar shell can be fired from a standard 82mm mortar tuber such as the Chinese mortar Type 20 (1931) and the Soviet mortars M1937, M1941, and M1943. The first Chinese-manufactured rounds of this type were recovered in Korea in 1952. The shell is used to distribute propaganda leaflets over the battlefield.
The body of the shell, is steel, 0.125 inch thick, and the nose and tail assembly are cast iron. This shell has no fuze, but instead is equipped with an internal ignition system to ignite the expelling charge. The flash from the ignition cartridge passes through an orifice in the top of the fin shaft to ignite a delay element, which in turn ignites the black powder expelling charge. Pressure of the burning expelling charge acts against a conical wooden plug, forcing it against two liners which form a tube that contains the leaflets. Pressure agaisnt the liner sections eventually causes the rupture of shear pins and separation of the shell's tail, nose, and body.
The shell is painted green and has yellow markings which indicate the caliber and type of shell and the date of manufacture. A somewhat similar round has also been recovered; it is longer (19.75 in) and heavier (7.5 lb without leaflets), and has a setback-operated nose fuze.
Characteristics
Caliber: 82mm (3.23 in)
Weight of complete round, w/o leaflets: 2.6kg (5.75 lb)
Weight of propellant: ?gm (? oz)
Type of filler: Leaflets
Weight of filler: ?kg (? lb)
Maximum number of increments: 4
Packaging
No picture available
The method of packing this shell, although not definitely known, presumably is similar to the packing method used for other Chinese mortar shells. It is believed that from 2 to 4 shells would be packed in a wooden box, along with a can containing the necessary number of ignition cartridges and propellent increments, and that box markings may normally indicate the caliber and type of the shells, the manufacturer's symbol, the date of manufacture, and perhaps the box weight, dimensions, and lot number.
120mm Mortar Shell, HE, Short
This high-explosive mortar shell is fired from the Chinese 120mm mortar Type 33 (1944). The stubby, eight-finned shell has a body of gray cast iron. The body is believed normally painted a dark olive drab, but has also been reported as gray. The markings which should appear on the shell identify the manufacturing arsenal, filler, date (month and year) of manufacture, caliber, and type of shell.
The wall thickness of the shell averages 0.65 inch. The white silk propellent increment bags are secured to the fin assembly by placement in the elongated holes in the fins or by tying them with string. The shell uses a lacquered cardboard ignition cartridge, which is marked with the date of manufacture, and a threaded primer.
The mouth of the shell is reduced by a steel adapter, which is provided with threads for the brass point detonating fuze and the steel booster cup. The fuze weighs 0.315 pound. Chinese characters meaning "120" were found on one fuze of this type, and may or may not be indicative of the fuze model. The markings "O", for instantaneous action, and "W", for delay action, also appear on the fuze. Potassium nitrate/TNT 50/50 is one of the high-explosive fillers that may be found in the shell.
Characteristics
Caliber: 120mm (4.72 in)
Weight of complete round: 13.04kg (28.75 lb)
Weight of propellant: ?gm (? oz)
Type of filler: Potassium Nitrate and TNT (50/50)
Weight of filler: 1.58kg (3.48 lb)
Maximum number of increments: 6
These shells, fitted with nose plugs, are packed two to a wooden box. They are held in place by two supports located at the ogive and fin shaft sections. In a partitioned section of this large box is a small wooden box within which is an unpainted and unmarked, sealed sheet metal can; the can holds two fuzes, two ignition cartridges, two (sometimes three) primers, eight propellent increment charges, and an instruction sheet.
A label, presumably bearing information about the contents, may be pasted on the metal can. Markings on the alrge wooden box may give the caliber and type of shell, the manufacturing arsenal, the date of manufacture, and handling instructions. Although there is considerable variation in most of these markings, the caliber of the shell usually appears somewhere on the box, and seems to be consistently given in the Arabic or Chinese numerals shown above.
120mm Mortar Shell, HE, Long
This elongated teardrop-shaped mortar shell is fired from the Chinese 120mm mortar Type 33 (1944). It is made from a steel forging, has twelve fins, an explosive charge of cast TNT, and a cast iron adapter in which the brass point detonating fuze and the steel booster cup are secured. The fuze weighs 0.34 pound. The wall thickness of the shell averages 0.30 inch. The primer and ignition cartridge are not interchangeable with those of other shells.
The shell is painted black, except for the unpainted bourrelet surface. White stenciled markings on the shell body indicate the caliber and type of shell, the weight classification, and the manufacturing arsenal. The propellent increment bags may vary in size and pattern of material, but are of the same weight.
Characteristics
Caliber: 120mm (4.72 in)
Weight of complete round: 13.65kg (27.88 lb)
Weight of propellant: ?gm (? oz)
Type of filler: Cast TNT
Weight of filler: 3.94kg (6.27 lb)
Maximum number of increments: 4
This shell, fitted with a nose plug, is packed one round to a wooden box having a separate compartment at one end for a sheet metal can containing one fuze, four propellent increments, and one ignition cartridge. The ammunition box may have rope handles.
Markings on the box may indicate the caliber and type of shell, the arsenal, the number of rounds contained, the weight and measurements of the loaded box, and the date of packing. Although the markings differ greatly from box to box, the symbols shown above seem to appear consistently, and identify the contents by caliber. Markings on the metal container indicate the quantity and type of its contents, and the date of packing. An instruction sheet for firing the shell is within the packaging.
120mm Mortar Shell, HE, Extra Long
This cast iron mortar shell is fired from the Chinese 120mm mortar Type 33 (1944). It has six fins, each with an 0.8 inch circular hole. It uses a cardboard ignition cartridge and a threaded primer. The wall thickness of the shell is 0.5 inch.
The shell has been reported as having an approximately 1/2 inch wide blue or blue-green band around the center of the body, and a 1/2 inch wide blue ring in the shape of an incomplete oval with a major axis of 4 inches and a minor axis of 3 inches, located just above the gas check rings. The color of the shell also has been reported as being dark brown.
Shells of this type are said to contain TNT, black powder, or Japanese Type 88 explosive fillers. The fuze, used with the shell in an adapter is a very simple point detonating impact fuze; it has a fixed firing ping and a sliding primer, which is immobilized in transit by a safety wire. The fuze is armed immediately upon removal of the safety wire. There are no markings on the fuze. The ignition cartridge bears the date of manufacture and is lacquered for waterproofing. The propellent increments are secured between the fins either by a length of string or by a coiled spring which passes through the holes in the fins
Characteristics
Caliber: 120mm (4.72 in)
Weight of complete round: 20.87kg (46 lb)
Weight of propellant: ?gm (? oz)
Type of filler: Cast TNT
Weight of filler: 3.23kg (7.13 lb)
Maximum number of increments: ?
This shell is packed one complete round per box. The primer and ignition cartridge may be either assembled to the shell or, like the fuze, packed separately in the same box. The number of propellent increments shipped with the shell is unknown.
Markings on the box may designate the caliber and type of shell, the manufacturing arsenal, and the lot number. Although most of the markings differ greatly from box to box, the caliber of the shell is believed to be designated consistently by one or the other of the methods shown above, making possible a limited identification of the box contents.
Next Time: Communist Chinese Artillery Ammunition
This steel, twelve-finned, high-explosive projectile is of conventional teardrop design. It is fired from the Czech-designed and made (Skoda) 120mm mountain pack mortar M1948, which is intended for mountain infantry support. At present this weapon is used by the Ethiopian Army; whether it is used by the Czech Army is unknown. 
