Janissary Hand Mortar Bölük (ETW Unit)
| Janissary Hand Mortar Bölük (ETW Unit) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Class | Line Grenadiers |
| Unit Size | 80 Men |
| Weaponry | Hand Mortars |
| Morale | |
| Melee Attack | |
| Ranged Attack | |
| Defence | |
| Charge Bonus | |
| Accuracy | |
| Range | |
| Ammunition | |
| Region | Global |
| Recruitment Cost | 890 |
| Upkeep Cost | 220 |
| Turns to Build | |
| Unit Limit | |
| Building Requirements | Military Academy |
| Technology Requirements | None |
| Attributes | |
The hand mortar can be used to place a grenade on a target beyond normal throwing range.
Overview
Despite its name, the hand mortar is more of a grenade launcher, with a wide barrel, typically of bronze, mounted on a musket stock so that it can be fired from the shoulder. This method of delivery offers increased range, but the weapons are temperamental and prone to misfires or bursting. This, coupled with the variable quality of the grenades fired, means that in the wrong hands a hand mortar can often be as much of a danger to the man firing it as to the enemy. Despite this, the grenade is a useful battlefield weapon when used against enemies deployed in cover, or for clearing choke points.
Historically the armies of the Ottoman Empire and Russia employed the hand mortar. In the Russian military, hand mortar detachments typically operated in support of the artillery, possibly because the unpredictability of the weapon made it unpopular among the line regiments! The Ottomans always treated grenades as a form of “thrown artillery”.
Details
Janissary Hand Mortar Bölük are a grenade firing unit available to the Ottoman Empire. They are similar to the Hand Mortar Company available to Russia. Like it's Russian counterpart this unit is too fragile to be used on the frontlines; they're increased accuracy and slower reload relegated to them a position behind the lines. They excel at delivering firepower where needed most, a smart commander will save these men until the enemy are wavering or engaged for maximum impact. Be conservative with your firing however, they have very small reserves of grenades and once they have been used they're largely useless.
