(Below is the French Senegalese Hunter Unit)
The mortar, essentially not just a longer-range grenade, disrupted the infantry-artillery relationship awkwardly situated in World War I.
During Napoleon's era, the infantry-artillery coordination was quite friendly.
Back then, artillery ranges were short, and infantry and artillery fought side by side, with infantry even able to transition into artillery. Coordination only required shouting loudly.
However, as artillery accuracy improved and ranges extended, the infantry-artillery relationship gradually distanced and even isolated.
French artillery customarily positioned the 75 cannon one kilometer behind the defense line. Aside from facilitating attacks, it also aimed to coordinate with infantry: this distance allowed signal flags to remain visible.
Further distances required radio or telephone communication.
