Brit Home Guard defence

[Bootie]

This map is based on official Home Guard tactical doctrine for a platoon defence after a German invasion.
Anticipating a German thrust from bottom right,half the platoon (red circles) is deployed forward in two trenches and a manned roadblock to defend the bridge, supported by a Vickers MG and Spigot mortar to their rear.
The HQ reserve (blue circle) will wait ready to move to strengthen the bridge sector or counter any outlanking moves.

 

[Bootie]

The two 'heavy weapons' on the map-

1- Spigot mortar

During 1941 the British Army were issued with the Spigot Mortar, also called the Blacker Bombard, after its inventor Lieutenant-Colonel L.V.S. Blacker.
The mortar was issued with a solid mounting to improve accuracy. The metal spider structure acted as reinforcement and would have been covered by an external concrete pedestal. The mount was sunk below ground level, providing extra cover. The mortar sat on a protruding stainless steel pivot and plate. Often there would also be an adjoining l- shaped trench to provide additional defence.
It would have been manned by a crew of three and was a close range weapon that could fire a 20lb/9.1 kg anti tank projectile. Theoretically it could fire 15-20 rounds a minute, but due to the amount of smoke produced after the first it became known as the 'one shot and that's it' weapon.
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2- Grenade Launcher

The Grenade Launcher (aka Northover Projector) was designed specifically for the Home Guard and was a simple drainpipe on legs that hurled an AT or HE grenade out to about 200 metres, but being a direct-fire weapon the crew were exposed to return fire.