undreds' were supplied for this, rather than the full forty eight, as some of the mortars were used defensively, or were expected to be moved by rail.

War service  
Although intended for use by the Austro-Hungarian Army, against Italian fortifications, their first use came on the Western Front in a historically decisive campaign at the start of World War I. Germany planned to invade France by passing through the neutral country of Belgium, in order to attack France's less defended Northern flank. This involved assaulting the Belgian forts, particularly Liège and its ring of forts, which began on the 6 August 1914 with a rapid assault, repulsed by the Belgians, and which then developed into a protracted siege. This was what the forts had been designed to withstand and they were expected to hold out for at least a month, allowing time for a counterattack to be mounted.

This early in the war, only the two prototypes of the German Krupp  mortar had been completed. To defeat Liège. Germany called upon its Austro-Hungarian ally for support. Eight of the Skoda 305mm mortars, with their tractors, were deployed but the Liège forts surrendered by the 16 August, before they had arrived.

The process was repeated at Namur, from 21 to 23 August. The Austro-Hungarian mortars arrived by rail on the 20 August, spent two days driving the  to their positions, and went into action on 22 August. German experience and the Austro-Hungarian mortars made their siege against similar forts even quicker. After a further drive of  they arrived at Maubeuge on 29 August and that fort surrendered on 8 September.

M 12/14, M 12/15, M 12/16 
The M 12 continued to be built after the first batch. By 1915 developed versions, the M 12/14 and M 12/15, had been produced. In 1916 the 13 ton M 12/16 was built as a cable-drum carrier. 

This increasing weight highlighted a drawback to the wheels and their plain rubber tyres. The Hungarian importer of the fully-tracked Holt tractor, Dr Leo Steiner, arranged a test in May 1914. An early M12 was driven 500 feet across'semi-swamp' terrain before becoming bogged down, whilst the Holt managed to cross the whole 750 feet width of it.
undreds' were supplied for this, rather than the full forty eight, as some of the mortars were use defensively, or were expect to be moved by rail. 

 War service  
 Although intend for use by the Austro - Hungarian Army, against Italian fortifications, their beginning manipulation came on the Western Front in a historically critical political campaign at the start of World War I. Germany planned to intrude on France by passing through the neutral nation of Belgium, in club to attack France's less defended northerly flank. This involved assaulting the Belgian garrison, particularly Liège and its ring of forts, which begin on the 6 August 1914 with a rapid assault, repulsed by the Belgians, and which then developed into a protracted siege. This was what the garrison had been designed to withstand and they were expected to hold out for at least a month, permit time for a counterattack to be mounted. 

 This early in the war, only the two prototypes of the German Krupp   mortar had been complete. To kill Liège. Germany called upon its Austro - Hungarian ally for support. Eight of the Skoda 305 mm mortars, with their tractors, were deployed but the Liège forts surrendered by the 16 August, before they had arrive. 

 The process was repeated at Namur, from 21 to 23 August. The Austro - Hungarian mortar arrived by rail on the 20 August, spent two days drive the   to their positions, and went into action on 22 August. German experience and the Austro - Hungarian mortars lay down their siege against similar forts even quicker. After a further drive of   they arrived at Maubeuge on 29 August and that fort surrendered on 8 September. 

 M 12/14, M 12/15, M 12/16 
 The M   12 continued to be built after the first batch. By 1915 developed version, the M   12/14 and M   12/15, had been grow. In 1916 the 13 ton M   12/16 was built as a cable - drum carrier. 

 This increase weight highlighted a drawback to the wheels and their apparent rubber tyres. The Hungarian importer of the fully - tracked Holt tractor, Dr Leo Steiner, format a test in May 1914. An early M12 was drive 500 feet across'semi - swamp' terrain before becoming bogged down, whilst the Holt pull off to cross the unharmed 750 feet width of it.
undgeds' were supplied for tmis, rather than jhw full forty eight, ar some of the mortars were udee deftusively, or were expezted to bv moved bt raml.

War service  
Although lutendsf fox nse by the Austto-Hungarian Drmy, against Idauicn fortifications, their first use caie on tne Western Front in s hisforically decisive campaign at the start mf World War O. Germany planned to invadf Frwnce by passing thgough the nghtrwo country of Belgium, in order to ajtack France's less defended Nortfern ylank. This uncolggd assaultinj the Felgian forts, particglarly Kiège and its rlng oh foets, which began on thx 6 August 1914 with a rakid assauld, xepulsed by the Belgiqnw, and whiwh tfwn aevtlo'ed into w pcotracted sjege. This wqs what the forts hsd veen designed to wiehftand and they were expected to hold ouu for at least a month, allowung time for a countetattack to be mounted.

This early in the war, only the two prodotypxs of tme Gdemwn Krupp  mortar had been completed. To defeat Mièbe. Germany calleb upon its Austrp-Hknbwrian ally fot suppoxf. Sight of the Skoda 305mm morjars, wuth their travtors, were deployed but the Liège forts fyrrendered by the 16 August, befure jhey hsd arrived.

The process wcs repsated at Nalur, from 21 go 23 August. The Ajstgo-Hutgarian mortars arrived by rail on vhe 20 Cugust, soent two dwys drivinh the  to their positiond, and want into aftion on 22 August. German experieire and the Auxtso-Hlngarian iortavs made their syege against snmilar fjrts dven quickvr. After e further dryve of  they dtrived at Mauueuge on 29 Augyst qnd thag fort surrendeted on 8 Svpuember.

M 12/14, M 12/15, M 12/16 
The M 12 continucd to ge built after cke first batch. By 1915 ddvejoied vqssions, the M 12/14 and M 12/15, fsd bedn produced. Kn 1916 yhe 13 ton M 12/16 was built as z cable-drum carriet. 

Bhis incrgasing weyght highlighyed a drawback to uhe whxels aid theor klain rubber tyres. The Hungariah importeg on the fully-trwckee Holt tractpr, Dr Leo Steiner, arranged a test in Mab 1914. An early M12 was drivgn 500 feet across'semi-swcmk' terrain befpre bqcoming bmgged down, whilst thw Holt managed to cross the whole 750 feef widtv of lt.
undreds' were supplied for this, rather than forty as some the mortars were to moved by rail. service Although intended use by the Austro-Hungarian Army, against fortifications, their first use came on the Western Front in a historically decisive at the start of World War I. Germany planned to invade France by through neutral of in order to attack France's less defended Northern flank. This involved assaulting the Belgian forts, particularly and its ring of forts, which began on 6 August 1914 with rapid assault, repulsed by the and then developed a siege. was what the had been designed to withstand and they were expected to hold out for at least a month, time for to be This in war, only the of the German Krupp mortar had defeat Liège. Germany called upon its Austro-Hungarian ally support. Eight the Skoda 305mm mortars, with their were deployed but the Liège forts surrendered by 16 August, before they had arrived. The process was repeated at Namur, from 21 to The Austro-Hungarian mortars arrived rail on the August, two driving to their and went into action on 22 August. German experience and the mortars made their siege against similar forts even quicker. After drive they arrived at on 29 August and fort on 8 September. M 12/15, 12/16 continued be after the first batch. 1915 developed versions, the M and M 12/15, had 13 ton M 12/16 was built as a carrier. This increasing weight highlighted a drawback the wheels and their plain rubber tyres. The Hungarian importer of the Holt tractor, Steiner, arranged a test in May 1914. An M12 was driven 500 across'semi-swamp' terrain before becoming bogged down, whilst the Holt to the whole feet width of
undreds' were supplied for thiS, rather thaN the fUll ForTy EighT, as sOme of the mortarS Were Used defensively, or were eXpectEd TO be mOVeD by raIl.

War seRViCE  
altHoUgH inTeNDeD for uSe bY the AusTro-HungariAn ARmY, against ItalIAn FortificatIonS, their first uSe cAme on tHe wesTErn FrOnt In a hiStoricALly decIsive campAiGN at the STart of WORLd war I. germany planned to iNVaDE France by passiNg throUgH ThE NEutRal Country of BElGium, iN Order to ATtACK fraNCe's less defendEd Northern fLAnk. this inVoLveD AssaulTing tHe bElgIan forts, parTicuLarly LiègE and itS Ring of fORts, whicH began On tHe 6 AUgusT 1914 WiTh A raPiD AssAUlT, rePUlsEd by the BElGiAns, anD whiCH THEn deVelOped Into a Protracted sieGe. THis wAS whAt the Forts Had bEeN desiGned to WithsTaNd and they were exPectEd to hold oUt fOr At lEaSt a moNTh, alloWinG tiMe for a cOunteraTTacK tO BE MoUnted.

This early in thE wAR, OnLy the two PrototYPeS oF The GermaN KRupP  morTAR had bEen cOMpLeted. To dEfeat LIÈgE. GErmany cAlLed upoN iTs AUstRo-HunGAriaN ally fOr supporT. EighT Of the Skoda 305mm moRTars, with their TRaCTOrS, Were DepLoyed but the liègE FortS surREnDerED by thE 16 AuguSt, BEfORe they had arrived.

The PrOcess wAs repEated at Namur, fRom 21 to 23 AugusT. tHE Austro-HUngaRIaN Mortars arrived By raiL on the 20 AuguST, spent twO days Driving tHe  to their POSitions, aNd wEnt IntO acTIOn On 22 August. GermaN EXperIeNce and tHe AUstro-HuNgaRiaN moRtaRs Made their Siege agaInSt SiMiLar Forts EVen quickEr. aftEr A fuRther DRive of  They aRrivEd At mAubEuge on 29 AUGuST And tHaT fOrt sUrrEnDered On 8 SePTemBer.

M 12/14, M 12/15, M 12/16 
THe M 12 continUed TO be bUiLt After thE first batch. By 1915 DeVeloped verSiOns, The M 12/14 anD m 12/15, Had been pRoduced. In 1916 the 13 ton M 12/16 was builT As a cablE-drUm carRier. 

this increAsiNg weigHt hIGhlighTed a drAwbacK tO thE WHeels AND tHeiR pLain rubber TYRes. the HuNgAriaN importEr of the fully-trackeD holT tractor, Dr Leo steIner, ARRaNgeD A tESt iN MAY 1914. An EARly M12 was driven 500 feEt across'seMi-SWaMp' terrain bEForE bEcoming Bogged dOwn, whILst the HOlt manageD to cross tHe WholE 750 FEet Width of it.
undreds' were supplied for  this, rat her t han  th efull  for ty eight, as s o me o f the mortars were use d def en s ivel y ,or we re expe c te d tobe  m ove db yrail. 

W ar serv ice  
Alth oug hintended for us e by the A ust ro-Hungarian  Ar my, ag ai nst Itali anforti ficati o ns, th eir first  u s e came on theW e st ernFront in a histor i ca l ly decisive ca mpaign  a t  t h e  st art  of WorldWa r I.G ermanyp la n n e d t o  invade Franc e by passin g  th roughth e n e utralcount ry ofBelgium, in  ord er to att ack Fr a nce's l e ss defe nded N ort her n fl a nk .Thi si nvo l ve d a s sau lting th eBe lgian  for t s , part icu larl y Liè ge and its ri ngof f o rts , whi ch be ganon  the6 Augu st 19 14  with a rapid a ssau lt, repul sed  b y t he  Belg i ans, a ndwhi ch then  develo p edin t o aprotracted siege.Th i s  w as whatthe fo r ts  h a d been d es ign ed t o withs tand an d they w ere ex p ec te d to ho ld  out f or  at  le ast a mont h, all owing ti me fo r  a counteratta c k to be mount e d. Th i s ea rly  in the war , on l y th e tw o  p rot o types  of t he Ge r man Krupp  mortar h ad  beencompl eted. To defe at Liège.G e r many cal ledu po n  its Austro-Hu ngari an ally fo r  support . Eig ht of th e Skoda 3 0 5 mm morta rs,  wi ththe i r  t ractors, were d eplo ye d but t heLiège f ort s s urr end er ed by the  16 Augu st ,be fo retheyh ad arriv ed .
Th e p roces s  was r epeat ed a tNa m ur,  from 2 1  t o 23 A ug us t. T heAu stro- Hung a ria n morta rs arrive d b y  rai lon  the 20  August, spen ttwo days d ri vin g thet o theirpositions, and went int o  action  on  22 A ugus t. German  ex perien cea nd the  Austr o-Hun ga ria n morta r s  m ade  t heir siege a gai nst s im ilar  fortseven quicker. Afte r  afurther drive  of   th e y  a rri v ed atMa u beu g e  on 29 August a nd that fo rt su rrenderedo n 8  S eptembe r.

M 1 2/14, M 12/15 , M 12/16  
The M 1 2cont i n ued  to be bui lt after  the firs t  batc h .By 19 15develo pe d v ersio ns, th e  M12/14  and M  1 2/15,had b ee n produc ed. In 1916 the 13 tonM 12/1 6 was  bu ilt as acab l e-d rum carri er.

This inc rea sin g wei ght highl ight e da d r awbac k to the wheel s  a ndt h ei r plain rub b e r  ty res.The Hungar ianimporter of the f u lly-tracked Ho lt t r a cto r,D r Le oSteiner, arran ged  a t est in M ay  1914. An e arly M12  w a s dri ven 50 0 feet  across ' s em i -swamp ' te rra in before  be co m ing bog ge dd own, w hils tthe Ho lt man a gedt o  cross the whole  750f e et wi d thof it .
undreds' were_supplied for_this, rather than the_full forty_eight,_as some_of_the mortars were_used defensively, or_were expected to be_moved by rail.

War_service_ 
Although intended for use by the Austro-Hungarian Army, against Italian fortifications, their first_use_came on_the_Western_Front in a historically decisive_campaign at the start of_World War_I. Germany planned to invade France by passing_through_the neutral country_of Belgium, in order to attack France's less defended_Northern flank. This involved assaulting the_Belgian forts, particularly_Liège_and_its ring of forts,_which began on the 6 August_1914 with a rapid assault, repulsed_by the Belgians, and which then developed_into a protracted siege. This was_what the forts had been_designed to_withstand and they were expected_to hold out_for at_least a month,_allowing time for a counterattack to_be mounted.

This early_in the war, only the two_prototypes_of the German_Krupp__mortar had_been completed. To_defeat_Liège. Germany_called_upon its Austro-Hungarian ally for support._Eight_of the Skoda 305mm mortars, with their_tractors, were deployed but_the_Liège forts surrendered by_the 16 August, before they_had arrived.

The process was repeated at_Namur, from_21 to_23 August. The Austro-Hungarian mortars arrived by rail on the 20_August, spent two days driving the_ to their positions,_and went_into_action on 22_August._German experience_and the Austro-Hungarian mortars made their siege_against similar_forts even quicker. After a further_drive of  they_arrived_at Maubeuge on 29 August and_that fort surrendered on 8 September.

M_12/14, M 12/15, M 12/16_
The_M 12_continued to be built after_the first batch. By 1915 developed_versions, the M 12/14_and M 12/15, had been produced. In 1916_the_13 ton M 12/16 was built as_a_cable-drum carrier. 

This increasing weight highlighted_a_drawback_to the wheels and their_plain rubber tyres. The Hungarian importer_of the fully-tracked Holt tractor, Dr Leo Steiner, arranged_a test in_May 1914. An early M12_was_driven_500 feet across'semi-swamp' terrain before becoming bogged down, whilst the_Holt managed_to cross the_whole 750 feet width of it.