24 cm Mörser M 98
The 24 cm Mörser M 98 was a heavy siege howitzer used by Austria-Hungary during World War I. It was designed to attack modern fortifications, but its short range and ineffective ammunition led to the development of the 30.5 cm Mörser M 11 and M 16.
24 cm Mörser M 98

anonymous photographer during World War I · old photo avalilable as a copy from the State Archives/War Archives Vienna (Austria) · Public domain
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- mortar.
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- Austria–Hungary.
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The 24 cm Mörser M 98 was a heavy siege howitzer used by Austria-Hungary during World War I. It was designed to attack modern fortifications, but its short range and ineffective ammunition led to the development of the 30.5 cm Mörser M 11 and M 16.
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wikidata · Q216595 · wikipedia · 24 cm Mörser M 98
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History
History
Based on a Krupp 1888–1890 design, Škoda Works developed a new heavy mortar on a middle pivot mounting for testing in 1896. However, the authorities realised that advancing technology required a newer design using a barrel in a cradle mounted on a hydraulic recoil system. While introduced in November 1900, it wasn't quite ready and went through a number of minor improvements. One major problem was weak recoil springs that would allow the barrel to slip out of its cradle while elevated. Leather and horsehair stoppers could be wedged in the cradle as a short-term fix. But the permanent fix had to wait until the M 98/7 version that extended the jacket surrounding the barrel to the muzzle and redesigned the cradle was produced after 1907. It was notable as the first weapon with a modern recoil system to see service with the Austro-Hungarian artillery as well as the first design to require motor traction. It was broken down into four loads for this purpose. Its carriage was mounted on a static firing platform that was jacked up and down onto its prepared bedding. It could only be loaded at 0° elevation.
BL 9.45 inch Howitzer in United Kingdom service
BL 9.45 inch Howitzer in United Kingdom service
The UK bought 4 guns held in stock by Škoda in Plzeň in February 1900 and designated the gun Ordnance BL 9.45 inch Howitzer Mk I. The purchase action by Sir Henry Brackenbury served two purposes, to thwart a German agent acting on behalf of the Boers and to provide a capability for use against the forts around Pretoria. They were sent to South Africa for use in the Second Boer War against the Pretoria forts but were not needed, reportedly they fired one round at Boers attacking a picquet outside Pretoria. They were later sent to China during the Boxer Rebellion but were also not used in action there. In UK use they fired a 280 lb (130 kg) common pointed shell up to 7,650 yards (7,000 m), using 5 pounds 8.25 ounces (2.502 kg) cordite MDT propellant. They were returned to UK from China and each of the two siege companies fired 100 rounds from them but they had not been regarded seriously. However, they were issued to the new third siege company and used for annual practice where numerous defects became clear. Minor modifications were made but the critical defect, no elevation below 42 degrees, giving a high trajectory, made accurate fire impossible with the methods of the time. In addition, replacing the ballistite cartridges with cordite reduced the maximum range by 1,000 yards (910 m).
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Austria–Hungary.
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24 cm Mörser M 98 is associated with Austria–Hungary.
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- Wikidata, structured authority record Q216595: 24 cm Mörser M 98
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reference work
- “24 cm Mörser M 98”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
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Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Ortner, p. 252
- 2.Headlam, p. 17
- 3.Headlam, p. 19
- 4.Hogg & Thurston 1972
- 5.Treatise on Ammunition 10th Edition, 1915
- 6.Major General Sir John Headlam, The History of the Royal Artillery - From the Indian Mutiny to the Great War, Volume II (1899–1914). Woolwich, 1934] page 257.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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