Type 89 grenade launcher
| Type 89 grenade launcher | |
|---|---|
|
|
| general information | |
| Military designation: | Type 89 grenade launcher |
| Development year: | 1929 |
| Manufacturer country: |
 Japan
|
| Production time: | 1929 to 1945 |
| Weapon Category: | Light grenade launcher |
| Furnishing | |
| Overall length: | 610 mm |
| Weight: (unloaded) | 4.7 kg |
| Barrel length : | 254 mm |
| Technical specifications | |
| Caliber : | 50 mm |
| Ammunition supply : | individually |
| Cadence : | 25 rounds / min |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Type 89 grenade launcher ( Japanese 八九 式 重 擲 弾 筒 Hachikyū-shiki jūtekidantō ) was a Japanese grenade launcher .
history
It turned out early on that the Japanese infantry lacked a suitable, readily available artillery support weapon . For example, the 50 mm Type 89 mortar was developed by the Japanese Army. This was carried by a single soldier and was able to provide fire support to the train in a very short time. For transport, the mortar was simply lashed to the soldier's leg, as the construction, size and weight allowed this. The Japanese therefore called the device the leg mortar . A widespread According to legend, the Allies succumbed Second World War a fatal mistake when they some of the mortar captured: An interpreter translated leg mortar as a knee mortar was then fired standing by some Allied soldiers of the mortar on the knee, which led to some serious injuries. However, since the American soldiers were trained as standard in rifle grenades that were shot with special, very high-recoil cartridges, which is why firing from the shoulder stop was very painful, it is at least questionable why soldiers fire a weapon with a recognizably much larger caliber and corresponding recoil from the thigh should.
technology
The mortar was an unconventional design, more reminiscent of a stick than a conventional mortar. The elevation range could not be changed and was always + 45 °. The range could be reduced by a rod that could be screwed into the pipe. As a result, the grenade's propellant charge was ignited earlier, the gases had more room for expansion and the range was reduced. In addition to the usual fin-stabilized projectiles, ordinary hand grenades could also be fired, which were provided with an extra propellant charge.
Since the mortar did not have a bipod, the shooter had to hold the barrel while firing. Therefore, the shooting process usually took place with the shooter kneeling behind the weapon. The knee mortar was attached to a floor plate and when squatting on it, the massive recoil could lead to fractures. Even if the mortar could be operated by one person, a three-man team was usually used.
Technical specifications
- Caliber: 50 mm
- Tube length: 254 mm
- Weight: 4.7 kg
- Bullet weight: 793 g
- Maximum shooting range: 670 m
- Shot speed: 25 rounds / min
literature
- Ian Hogg artillery of the 20th century. Gondrom Verlag, Bindlach, 2001, ISBN 3-8112-1878-6 .
- Alexander Lüdeke weapons technology in World War II. Parragon Verlag, Berlin, March 2007, ISBN 978-1-4054-8584-5 .
- Military Intelligence Division, War Department (USA): Japanese infantry weapons, Special Series, no. 19. 1943, "Model 89 (1929) 50-MM GRENADE-DISCHARGER" and ammunition on pages 73 to 87, ISBN 978-0- 8071-2013-2 ( available online ).
- David Miller: Fighting Men of World War II, Axis Forces . Uniforms, Equipment & Weapons of Axis Forces. 1st edition. Stackpole Books, 2007, ISBN 978-0-8117-0277-5 , Japan, pp. 293 .
Web links
- Nambu World: Type 89 Knee Mortar (engl.)
- Type 89 Knee Mortar. ForgottenWeapons.com, accessed March 28, 2017 .