Section X: OPERATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS

32. GENERAL.

a. When operating under unusual conditions such as tropical or arctic climates, severe dust or sand conditions, and near salt water, . . . → Read More: Bazooka Operation in Hot & Cold Climates]]> Operating instructions for the Bazooka in tropical and arctic climates from TM 9-294: 2.36-inch A.T. Rocket Launcher M1A1, War Department Technical Manual, Sept. 27, 1943.

Section X: OPERATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS

32. GENERAL.

a. When operating under unusual conditions such as tropical or arctic climates, severe dust or sand conditions, and near salt water, it is essential that all the precautions listed below should be observed.

33. ARCTIC CLIMATES.

a. In temperatures below freezing, and particularly in arctic climates, all operating parts should he kept absolutely free of moisture. The bore of the launcher should be cleaned daily and oiled as described in paragraph 16. The batteries should be removed from the launcher and kept warm until just before firing. Carrying the batteries in inner pockets will keep them sufficiently warm. Immediately upon bringing indoors, the launcher should be cleaned on the outside and inside with a dry clean cloth. Remove the grips and clean and dry the contacts. After it has reached room temperature, clean and dry the launcher again, and oil the bore. Rockets should not be fired at temperatures below zero F.

34. TROPICAL CLIMATES.

a. Tropical Climates. In tropical climates where temperature and humidity are high, or where salt air is present, and during rainy seasons, the launcher should be thoroughly inspected and cleaned daily. The bore should be oiled a little more liberally than prescribed in paragraph 16. Wood parts should be inspected to see that swelling due to moisture does not bind working parts. If this does occur, shave off only enough wood to relieve binding. A light coat of OIL, linseed, raw, type A applied at least every month and well rubbed in with the heel of the hand, will help to keep moisture out. Allow oil to soak in for a few hours and then, wipe and polish the wood with a dry clean wiping cloth. Do not fire rockets at temperatures above 120 F.

NOTE: Care should be taken to see that linseed oil does not get onto electric contacts as it will gum when dry.

b. Hot Dry Climates. In hot dry climates, where sand and dust are apt to get into the bore, the launcher including the bore should be wiped clean daily or more often if necessary. Oiling of the bore should be done very sparingly and only in the event that atmospheric conditions cause rusting of the bore surface. In such climates, wood parts are apt to dry out and shrink, and a more frequent application of OIL, linseed, raw, type A, will help keep wood in condition. During sand or dust storms the breech and muzzle should be kept covered. Do not fire rockets at temperatures above 120 F.

7.92-mm Submachine Gun MP-44(STURMGEWEHR M44)

The German MP44 was developed in 1942 to provide an intermediate weapon between the rifle and . . . → Read More: Sturmgewehr 44 Assault Rifle]]> The following report on the German StG 44 (Sturmgewehr 44) assault rifle was published in Foreign Military Weapons and Equipment, Vol. III, Infantry Weapons, Pamphlet No. 30-7-4, Department of the Army, 1954.

7.92-mm Submachine Gun MP-44
(STURMGEWEHR M44)

The German MP44 was developed in 1942 to provide an intermediate weapon between the rifle and the submachine gun. The standard 7.92-mm rifle cartridge was shortened and bottle-necked to take a 120-grain boattail bullet. With this cartridge the weapon provided better ballistic characteristics than those available with the standard German 9-mm submachine guns. It also had provisions for full automatic fire and thus a greater firepower capability.

Ease of mass production was achieved by the extensive use of steel stampings. The receiver, frame, gas cylinder, and barrel jacket are all made from stampings. The parts of the trigger mechanism are riveted in place; therefore, the trigger assembly cannot be disassembled, although a complete trigger mechanism can be quickly inserted into the weapon.

Despite its cheap construction, it is a very serviceable weapon. The various models of this weapon, including the MP43, MP43/1, and the MP44, were all designated the STURMGEWEHR 44 in 1944. They differ only in minor detail. Ballistically, they are identical.

This weapon can be recognized by: (1) The stamped receiver and barrel jacket; (2) the prominent front sight base; (3) the curved, stamped magazine; (4) the gas cylinder on top of the barrel; and (5) the short, bulky buttstock.

Large numbers of these weapons were captured by the Soviets during World War II, and many probably are still held in reserve stocks.

RECOGNITION FEATURES

CHARACTERISTICS

System of operation	Gas-operated, selective fire, air-cooled, magazine-fed
Caliber	7.92-mm (.312 in)
Weight:
With empty magazine	4.5 kg (10 lb aprx)
With loaded magazine	5.2 kg (11.2 lb aprx)
Length over-all	933-mm (36.7 in aprx)
Length of barrel	413-mm (16.2 in aprx)
Feeding device	30-rd curved magazine
Sights:
Front	Hooded blade
Rear	Tangent leaf and peep, 100 to 800 meters graduated in 100 meter increments
Muzzle velocity (aprx)	686 m/s (2,250 fps)
Effective rates of fire:
Automatic	100-120 rpm
Semiautomatic	40-50 rpm
Cyclic rate of fire (aprx)	800 rpm
Effective ranges:
Automatic	Up to 200 m (aprx 220 yd)
Semiautomatic	Up to 400 m (aprx 440 yd)
Ammunition	7.92-mm Pistolen Patronen, semi AP, M.P. 43. This is a shortened version of the 7.92-mm rifle cartridge used in the standard 7.92-mm Mauser rifles

Oh heed the fate of Whistlin’ Joe! // Forgot the life lines were so low. // Back home the WAC’s were his pet rave; // But he went . . . → Read More: Lubbers Don’t Live]]> The U.S. Navy had their own series of training posters called “Lubbers Don’t Live”. This poster stars Whistlin’ Joe who goes overboard with a swish.

Oh heed the fate of Whistlin’ Joe! // Forgot the life lines were so low. // Back home the WAC’s were his pet rave; // But he went overboard for a WAVE!
 

When the Stukas begin to attackAin’t the time to make up for a lack     Of cleaning your gun -     Which won’t shoot at a HunWith a month’s gummy dust on its back!CLEAN IT EVERY 3 DAYS Don’t be a dope! HANDLE EQUIPMENT . . . → Read More: Don’t Be A Dope III]]> Another “Don’t Be A Dope” training poster starring Joe Dope:

Guardians of the Sky

An enemy raid is being tracked on the display plot in this "action shot" of an Air Defense Control Center at Bougainville. Liaison officers have alerted the base. . . . → Read More: Guardians of the Sky]]> “Guardians of the Sky” from C.I.C. (Combat Information Center), U.S. Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Vol. I, No. 6, August 1944.

Guardians of the Sky

An enemy raid is being tracked on the display plot in this "action shot" of an Air Defense Control Center at Bougainville. Liaison officers have alerted the base. Island and Air Command, AA Batteries, and ADCC's of other bases and ships. The Fighter Director Officer has assigned the raid to an intercept officer (not in the picture) who, from an intercept table or PPI, is vectoring fighters to intercept the raid.

An Air Combat Intelligence officer briefs the pilots before they go out on a mission. Their tense attitude shows that they know from experience how vital is the information which he is giving them on landmarks, radar evasion, enemy opposition to be expected, weather conditions enroute, communications procedures, and plan of attack.

See Also: . . . → Read More: German Panthers as Ersatz M10s]]> During the Battle of the Bulge, the Germans disguised several Panther tanks as U.S. M10 tank destroyers (“Ersatz M10″). Part of the Operation Greif created and commanded by Otto Skorzeny, Panzer Brigade 150 deployed these Panther Ausf. G tanks which had been extensively modified and painted to resemble U.S. M10 tank destroyers.

See Also: Germans Disguise Panthers to Cleverly Imitate M10 Gun Carriage
 

Bazooka Versus Tank

Among the now-it-can-be-told weapons of the American rocket family, is the super-bazooka, bigger and better version of the foot-soldier’s famed tank-buster.

By their surrender, the Germans and . . . → Read More: Bazooka Versus Tank]]> The history of the bazooka from U.S. Rocket Ordnance: Development and Use in World War II, U.S. Joint Board on Scientific Information Policy, 1946.

Bazooka Versus Tank

Among the now-it-can-be-told weapons of the American rocket family, is the super-bazooka, bigger and better version of the foot-soldier’s famed tank-buster.

By their surrender, the Germans and Japs missed feeling the impact of a rocket which travels at almost twice the speed and carries double the explosive payload of the standard bazooka projectile; which has an effective range of as much as 700 yards, instead of the 200 to 300 yards of the regular bazooka; and which can function safely through a considerably wider temperature range, thus affording greatly increased protection against the dangers of motor explosion and blast. Though the super-bazooka retains the 2.36-inch diameter of the original bazooka, and is fired from the same launcher, it is propelled by a larger motor, and its heavier explosive charge can penetrate thicker armor plate.

Another development of the original bazooka-still secret at the war’s end-is a super-powered rocket of 3.5 inches in diameter with greatly increased power to penetrate armor plate and reinforced concrete.

The super-bazooka was the joint product of Section H, which produced the design for the motor, and Division 8 of NDRC, which developed the far more powerful head. The 3.5-inch rocket was designed by the Army Ordnance Department.

Bazooka Development

To arm United States infantry to fight tanks on more nearly equal terms, the Army Ordnance Department, in early 1941, had under development a rifle grenade, carrying a “shaped charge” of high explosive. A cone-shaped cup hollowed in the front face of the explosive filling focussed the blast energy into a narrow beam of great penetrating power.

These rifle grenades had too much recoil for field use as a shoulder weapon. Recoilless rocket propulsion was suggested, tried, and adopted. Colonel Skinner, then an Ordnance Department major, and Lt. (now Major) E. G. Uhl, with Section H at Indian Head, undertook the development of a suitable rocket motor.

Following unsuccessful attempts to launch these rocket grenades from attachments to the service rifle, it was concluded that a separate launcher would be required.

To protect the gunner from the rocket blast, the launching tube had to be longer than the maximum burning distance of the rocket motor. To be portable and easily aimed from the shoulder, the launcher, and hence the burning distance, had to be short. By the use of a charge of several thin-web tubular grains of solvent extruded powder in a motor about an inch in diameter, the burning distance was made short enough for a 54-inch launcher, soon dubbed “the bazooka.”

This launcher was designed to be fired from the shoulder and to discharge the rocket blast behind the gunner. It could be sighted and swung with a moving target as easily as a rifle.

The first model of this weapon, despite recognized imperfections, was rushed through production in 1942. It was used in the first Allied landings in North Africa. The weapon soon became famous for its tank-stopping power in Africa, Europe and the islands of the Pacific.

As is the case with most new weapons, improvements were necessary and development work was continued at high priority. Blast was particularly troublesome, especially at low temperatures which caused the powder to continue burning after the rocket had left the launcher. This was eliminated by using faster-burning powders. One such fast-burning powder, developed by NDRC’s Division 8, was a new solvent-extruded powder containing a high percentage of special ingredients-this powder shortened the burning distance so much, even at extremely low temperatures, that it earned the name of “blastless bazooka powder.”

Debut of the Bazooka

This was the weapon whose effectiveness was demonstrated first in the Allied landings in North Africa in 1942, knocking out pillboxes, tanks, and other enemy strong points.

In spite of its short range-it is most effective within 200 yards-the bazooka in the hands of concealed marksmen stopped enemy armor, gave a lift to the morale of the G.I., and was feared by the opposition.

The success of the bazooka in action is best indicated in the unadorned stories of the men who used it. From his European combat experience a private recalled: “We had been hard hit and all of our bazooka men had become casualties. This Mark VI tank was really giving us a going over, and something had to be done about it. Although I had never used a bazooka before, I knew how to handle it. So one of my buddies loaded the weapon for me and I crawled up a ditch until I was so close to the German tank (he was within 40 yards) I couldn’t miss, and let them have it. That one round really did the trick.” The private won the Bronze Star for his feat.

Similarly, a sergeant, a mortar squad leader, had never fired the weapon, but during a savage German counterattack on American positions he halted a German Tiger with two rounds at a distance of 75 yards.

As the heavy tank lumbered toward him spearheading the Nazi attack, the sergeant seized a bazooka dropped by its wounded operator and fired at the track. The tank’s machine gun as well as supporting German riflemen opened up on him. He reloaded and sent a second rocket crashing home, immobilizing the tank. The crew abandoned it and doughboy riflemen smashed the counterattack. The sergeant won the Silver Star.

Bazookamen found that their improved weapon frequently performed beyond their expectations. Combat reports tell of holes driven through a 6-foot pillbox wall, of masonry walls blasted with holes big enough for a man to crawl through, of tank crews killed by fragments spalled off the inside of 8-inch armor plating although the shaped-charge did not penetrate the armor.

Tank buster-American paratrooper in action in France knocks out a Nazi tank with a direct hit from a bazooka. Note the track being blown off the far side of the tank (SC 195144).

Bazooka Versus Pillbox

Experience in the Pacific showed that even when the bazooka could not destroy the heavy Japanese pillboxes, its concussion could stun the occupants and give infantrymen an opportunity to rush in and dispatch the enemy at close range. The bazooka was highly effective against Japanese tanks, which were more lightly armored than the German.

In one frantic action on Luzon, soldiers of the 6th Infantry Division fought a close-range battle against Jap tanks, which, firing at point-blank range, were mowing down American antitank gunners as fast as they manned their weapons.

“We tore into them with rifle grenades and bazookas, the only weapons we could use under the circumstances,” a sergeant reported. His battalion claimed 57 Jap tanks in the battle.

Combat experience was translated into modifications which made the bazooka a more convenient weapon. A two-piece launcher permitted easier carrying and better concealment from observation than was possible with the original one-piece launcher. A trigger-operated magnetic replaced battery ignition. The sights were improved.

Versatility of the bazooka was increased with the development of a bazooka smoke rocket loaded with white phosphorous; this was effective against Jap bunkers and caves. Ingenious American soldiers projected telephone wire over stretches of exposed ground by fastening the wire to a dummy rocket. They used dummy rockets to carry detonating cables out over mine fields where the cables were set off, exploding the mines.

Nazi Imitations

A new step in the development of shape-charge antitank rockets began with the German capture of American bazookas in North Africa, particularly at Kasserine Pass. The Panzerfaust and the Panzerschreck were German bazookas based upon the American. Appearing some months after the North Africa action, they carried a heavier shaped charge which produced greater penetration, but were lower-powered and lacked the range of the American 2.36-inch rocket.

The American answer to heavier German armor and to Germany’s large rockets consisted of the two improved bazooka rockets already mentioned-the super-bazooka and the 3.5-inch rocket.

The superiority of the super-bazooka motor over that of the original bazooka is achieved by the use of an improved ignitor and a heavier charge of propellant, the latter consisting of many thin disk-shaped grains, stacked in a stepped-back column to allow freer flow of the gases toward the nozzle.