Thread: Rifle Grenades?
View Single Post
  #7 (permalink)  
Old September 10th, 2007, 06:15 PM
T. A. Gardner's Avatar
T. A. Gardner T. A. Gardner is offline
WW2F Veteran
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: U. S.
Posts: 3,393
Salute!: 0
Saluted 6 Times in 6 Posts
T. A. Gardner is just really niceT. A. Gardner is just really niceT. A. Gardner is just really niceT. A. Gardner is just really niceT. A. Gardner is just really niceT. A. Gardner is just really nice
Default Re: Rifle Grenades?

Most nations had rifle grenades. Their use varies somewhat. The Germans manufactured and issued theirs on a fairly wide basis and it saw some use particularly as an anti-tank weapon until the Panzerfaust became widespread.
The US issued 4 rifle grenade attachments per squad in their units. Most kept one or two in service. The rifle grenade was very popular with US units, particularly in Europe. The anti-tank round (the M9A1) was as accurate and effective as a bazooka with a bit less range. The troops prefered it due to not having to carry a bazooka and rockets. The standard grenade launcher used a clip to hold a Mk II grenade on it. Some units also used 60mm mortar bombs instead in urban fighting.
The British also had rifle grenades in service. Theirs were a little less popular with the troops as they could quickly damage the stock of a gun regularly used to fire them making the rifle less accurate.
The Japanese had grenade dischargers (the "knee" mortar) instead not issuing a rifle grenade as did the Italians (the 45mm Brixia mortar) and Russians (50mm mortars).
Reply With Quote