Spigot Mortar

**Denis** · 19-08-2008, 11:51

This example found at RAF Sawbridgeworth. How common were these to airfield defences? I was always under the impression that they were more of a Home guard related weapon, rather than a general piece of Army ordnance.

**lee999** · 19-08-2008, 12:45

I think Norwich Paul is the man to answer this! The only one ive seen is at the back of the old Shooters Hill Police station and was a home guard one.....its the one they showed on Time Team a few months ago.

Lee

**Vestanpants** · 09-09-2008, 21:18

Hi,

It is my understanding that Home Guard units were involved in the defence of airfields together with regular Army units and of course RAF station personnel. Consequently, it is not unusual to find evidence of weapons associated with the Home Guard. There are a few spigot mortar defences on the perimeter of RAF Carew Cheriton in Pembrokeshire.

Thanks,

VP

**PETERTHEEATER** · 10-09-2008, 10:08

Denis,

The Defence of Britain Project has located and marked most of the WW2 home defences and it is available as a downloadable .kml file for viewing in Google Earth. The file size is around 2 Mb and it should be opened on its own as it will take some time to load and blankets the UK.

Spigot Mortar locations are one of the items covered.

If you have trouble getting the file, PM me and I will send it to you.

Peter H

**Robin** · 10-09-2008, 10:37

I was in the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham last week end, helping to set up a model show, and I am sure that in one of the rooms I saw a Spigot Mortar, will have to go back and look.

Robin.

**Denis** · 10-09-2008, 11:11

Thanks Peter,
I will give that a thorough investigation!

**PETERTHEEATER** · 04-06-2009, 09:34

We are always seeing pictures of the pintle mounting. Does anyone have a picture of the actual Mortar? (The Blacker Bombard)

This shows a sketch:

http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/home/w ... ce-bombard