Historic context :

During the same period the famous 12cm M16 luft Minenwerfer was developped by the Austria Company engineer Gustav Spitz, another designer from the same company produced a heavier 20cm pneumatic mortar that was accepted as well by the Austrian Army in 1916.

The basics of this '20cm M16 luft MW' were similar to the ones of the 12cm M16 from the same company, with its long tube needed for a long range and the possibility to add an extension on the top, the constant 45 degrees vertical aiming angle, the breech loading, the cylindrico-ogival shape of the stocky shell, and the compressed air reservoir located behind the breech. The increased power although needed several adaptations :

• the cyslindric compressed air chamber, with an increased capacity, was now placed perpendicular to the tube
• the barrel was supported on its whole length by a steel structure allowing the tube to slide forward, separating it from the breech for the shell loading.

Technical data :

• Complete description : 20cm pneumatic trench mortar M 1916 Bartelemus
• Design year : 1916
• Calibre : 200.00 mm
• Weight in firing position : 690 à 725 kg
• Weight for transportation :
• Tube length in calibres : 0.00 optional tube extension
• Grooves : 0 smooth bore
• Projectile weight : 22.6 et 34.4 kg
• Initial speed :
• Fire rate :
• Range : 400 à 1250 m
• Elevation range : constant at 45 degrees
• Direction range :