This rocket projector very closely resembles the
Both traversing and elevating mechanisms are identical with those of the
A sight bracket is located at the rear of the framework.
There is a small spade under the frame in the rear, but no other evidence of supports.
The ammunition for this projector is described on page 354.1.
German: p. 350 (May 1, 1945)
This rocket projector is designed for use on half-tracked armored personnel carriers. The principal feature of the device is the carrier plate, three of which are mounted on each side of the half-track. Each is adjustable for elevation of 5° to 45°, and is believed to be equipped with an elevating scale. The actual projector consists of the crate in which the
German: p. 350 (May 1, 1945)
This projectile is fired from the Raketenwerfer 61 (see pages 38.3 and 38.4). It shows a radical departure from standard spin-stabilized rocket design by the use of insert splines at the after end of the motor body. These splines, fitting into the rifling of the projector liner, aid in giving an initial spin to the projectile.
The rocket consists of three main assemblies: the high explosive body, motor body, and nozzle assembly.
The high explosive body of two-piece welded construction is threaded internally at its after end to receive the motor body. The booster pocket and fuze adapter assembly is welded in position at the nose of the high explosive body. The bourrelet is located just behind the welded junction of the ogive and the cylindrical section.
The motor body is threaded externally to screw into the high explosive body and internally to receive the nozzle assembly. Both the explosive body and nozzle assembly are secured by means of two diametrically opposed set screws. Nine grooves for the splines are machined into the base of the periphery of the motor body. The high explosive body is filled with 270 pounds of the German explosive charge 13A, which is 50/50 poured amatol.
The 32 venturi holes in the nozzle plate are set at an angle of 14° to the axis of the rocket. In the center of the nozzle plate there is a threaded hole to receive the igniter primer for the rocket propellant.
A rear spacer ring welded to the nozzle plate aids in the positioning of the outer row of propellant charges.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber | 38 cm (15 ins. approx.) | |
| Total weight of rocket | 761 lbs. | |
| Overall length (not including fuze) | 56.68 ins. | |
| Diameter of bourrelet | 14.94 ins. | |
| Maximum range | 6,179 yds. | |
| Weight of explosive charge | 270 lbs. | |
| Weight of propellant charge | 88.5 lbs. | |
| Fuze | Point detonating | |
| Weapon from which fired | Raketenwerfer 61 |
German: p. 354.2 (June 1, 1945)
The X 4 is an antiaircraft rocket designed by the Germans to be launched from planes. It was manufactured and reported to have been successfully tested, but never reached the point of combat operation. It is a wire-controlled, rocket-propelled, fin-stabilized missile fitted with a proximity fuzed warhead. The propulsion system is a bi-fuel rocket. Stabilization is achieved by means of four large fins fitted to the body of the rocket, and four smaller fins fitted to the tail. The smaller fins bear solenoid-operated control surfaces through which two-dimensional directional control is achieved. These are operated from the parent aircraft by means of a control unit and two insulated wires leading to the rocket. These wires are about
Precise information about the warhead and fuzing system has not so far been recovered. The warhead consists of an uncased moulded grain of dinitroglycol-based explosive which depends on high blast effect. The fuze is a combination of acoustic proximity, impact, and self-destroying type. The proximity feature is functioned by aircraft propeller noises and a delay of 1/50-second is provided to enable the missile to approach the target after the acoustic impulse initiates the fuze. The body of the rocket houses the helical aluminum tube fuel tanks and combined two-compartment steel air bottle. The venturi protrudes from the tail portion. The rocket is made to rotate about its axis at the rate of one rotation per second. This permits stabilization in line of flight by a single gyro. The missile is carried on the parent aircraft on a conventional bomb carrier modified for this special purpose
SPECIFICATIONS*
| Length (overall) | 200 cm (6 ft., 6 3/4 ins.) | |
| Length of warhead | 45 cm (1 ft., 5 3/4 ins.) | |
| Diameter of warhead (at base) | 22 cm (8.675 ins.) | |
| Total weight before launching | 60 kg. (132.3 lbs.) | |
| Weight of warhead | 20 kg. (44.1 lbs.) | |
| Fuel | 4.5 liters (approx.) 98-100% nitric acid | |
| 2 liters (approx.) 57% crude m-xylidine | ||
| 43% triethylamine | ||
| Thrust | Initial |
*Not verified.
German: p. 375 (August 1, 1945)
This weapon is the 38 year type (1905) 15 cm howitzer mounted on a medium tank chassis. The chassis resembles that of the Medium Tank Model 2597 (1937), Special, described on page 8.1. The armor is riveted in the characteristic Japanese fashion, and on the chassis is of the same thickness as on the corresponding tank chassis, with a maximum of approximately one inch. On the superstructure, the gun shield has one-inch frontal armor and one-half-inch side armor.
The vehicle uses the standard V12, air-cooled, diesel engine, and the type 97 medium tank suspension, consisting of six dual rubber-tired bogie wheels on each side. The weapon mounted on this vehicle is the type 38 (1905) 15 cm howitzer, a very short weapon. It has an interrupted screw breechblock opening to the right, and uses a percussion primer. The rifling is 58 inches long and has increasing right hand twist. The maximum range of the field howitzer is reported as 6,500 yards. The maximum elevation is 30 degrees.
A self-propelled vehicle mounting a gun of 75 mm or 105 mm caliber, employing the same chassis and with a superstructure somewhat resembling the present vehicle has been reported.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight | 15 tons | |
| Length | 18 ft. | |
| Width | 7 ft., 6 ins. | |
| Height (overall) | 93 ins. | |
| Height of chassis | 47 ins. | |
| Height of shield | 61 ins. | |
| Ground clearance | 14 ins. | |
| Tread centers | 6 ft., 7 ins. | |
| Ground contact (approx.) | 160 ins. | |
| Width of track | 13 ins. | |
| Pitch of track | 5 1/8 ins. | |
| Track links | 96 | |
| Fording depth | 39 ins. | |
| Theoretical radius of action: | ||
| Roads | 100 miles | |
| Cross country | ||
| Speed: | ||
| Roads | 25 m.p.h. | |
| Cross country | ||
| Armor: gun shield | ||
| Front plate | 1 in. | |
| Sides | 1/2 in. | |
| Armament | 15 cm Howitzer, Model 38 (1905) | |
| Ammunition (Rds). | ||
| Engine | V12, air-cooled, diesel | |
| Transmission | 4 speeds forward; 1 reverse (high and low range) | |
| Steering | clutch brake | |
| Crew | probably 5 |
Japanese: p. 8.2 (August 1, 1945)
This weapon, previously erroneously called the Type 10, is a naval type antiaircraft gun, mounted on a pedestal which permits a traverse of 360 degrees. The gun tube, of built-up construction, recoils inside a sleeve type cradle. A guide on the bottom of the tube rides in a groove, preventing rotation of the tube. Since the trunnions are located at the rear of the tube, muzzle preponderance is compensated for by an equilibrator inside the pedestal.
A hand-operated, semi-vertical sliding type breechblock and a hydrospring recoil mechanism are used. Recoil and recuperator are located over the tube. A small cylinder above the recoil cylinder is apparently for storing an oil reserve.
The elevating handwheel is located to the left of the weapon, and the traversing handwheel to the right. Two platforms, one on either side attached to the superstructure, allow the layers to move with the gun in traverse.
A bracket on the left of the piece is believed to mount a telescope and range drum.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber | 76.2 mm (3 ins.) | |
| Weight of gun and mount | 5,290 lbs. | |
| Weight of gun | 1,100 lbs. | |
| Length of barrel | 40 cals. | |
| Length of tube | 9 ft., 6 ins. | |
| Height (traveling position) | ||
| Height (firing position) | ||
| Width (overall) | ||
| Length of chamber | 1 ft., 8 ins. | |
| Rifling | R. H. twist | |
| No. of grooves | 24 | |
| Width of grooves | ||
| Depth of grooves | ||
| Width of lands | ||
| Muzzle velocity (H.E. shell) | 2,200 f/s | |
| Max. range (horizontal) | ||
| Max. range (vertical) | 26,000 ft. | |
| Rate of fire | 10 to 12 r.p.m. | |
| Traverse | 360° | |
| Elevation | 75° | |
| Depression | 5° | |
| Length of recoil | ||
| Ammunition | H.E. w/ powder train time fuze | |
| Wt. of projectile | 12 lb., 11 ozs. |
Japanese: p. 114.1 (August 1, 1945)
This howitzer was captured on Luzon. The emplacement, circular in shape and measuring 33 feet in diameter and 8 feet in depth, was camouflaged by a house on rails which was rolled back when the guns were to be fired. A small garden of banana trees was planted around the emplacement to add to the effect.
The howitzer tube is believed to be a built-up type. The liner is rifled with a uniform right hand twist, calculated to be one turn in 9.4 calibers. Two air flasks are mounted on the carriage for blowing out the tube after firing. Two equilibrators are mounted below the tube. The breech mechanism is an interrupted screw type having 8 segments of 20 threads. A percussion hammer firing mechanism is operated by a lanyard. A short cartridge case is used for obturation.
The upper carriage is a rectangular steel frame approximately 18 feet, 9 inches long, and 4 feet, 8 inches wide, fixed to a baseplate. The lower carriage is a truncated steel cone embedded in concrete approximately 6 to 8 feet under the ground. The upper carriage baseplate rests on a rail above a worm wheel, fixed to the lower carriage which engages a spur rack fitted to the base of the upper carriage.
The traversing handwheel is mounted in a horizontal position engaging a vertical shaft which terminates in the worm gear. The elevating handwheels, one on either side of the tube, are mounted on the carriage in a vertical position. A direct shaft from the elevating handwheel terminates in a spur gear which engages the elevating arc.
A panoramic sight is mounted on the right side of the gun.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber | 305 mm (12 ins. approx.) | |
| Weight (firing position) | ||
| Length of tube and breech | 16 ft., 6 ins. | |
| Length of carriage base | 18 ft., 9 ins. | |
| Width of carriage base | 4 ft., 8 ins. | |
| Length (firing position) | ||
| Height (firing position) | ||
| Width (overall) | ||
| Length of bore | ||
| No. of lands | 72 | |
| Width of grooves | ||
| Depth of grooves | ||
| Width of lands | ||
| Muzzle velocity (shell) | ||
| Max. range (horizontal)—Trans. document | 13,000 yds. | |
| Max. range (vertical) | ||
| Rate of fire | ||
| Traverse | 360° | |
| Elevation, scale reading | 70° | |
| Depression, scale reading | 3° | |
| Length of recoil, scale reading | 420 mm | |
| Ammunition | ||
| Wt. of projectile—Trans. document | 970 lbs. |
Japanese: p. 116.3 (August 1, 1945)
The Mk. 108 A-3 is an automatic, air cooled, belt-fed weapon operated by blowback and firing electrically from an open bolt. Initial cocking and initial depression of the sear to release the bolt are accomplished by compressed air. The gun is mounted on its side, and fires through the propeller hub in
Sixty rounds of ammunition are fed by means of a disintegrating belt from an ammunition can mounted above the gun. On release of the sear, the bolt travels forward under the action of two driving springs. A projection on top of the bolt passes through the ring extracting a round and forcing it into the chamber. After firing the empty cartridge case reseats itself in its link. The ejection is accomplished by pawls actuated by camming grooves cut in the top of the bolt. Position of a new round takes place by the same action. A feature of the gun is the fact that the barrel and receiver do not move in recoil, the entire force of which is taken up by the rearward motion of the bolt against driving springs which act as buffers on recoil. There is no locking action between the barrel and bolt at any time.
All ammunition found to date has been high explosive, high explosive-tracer, incendiary and incendiary tracer. It is doubtful if the muzzle velocity is high enough for the effective use of armor piercing ammunition.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber | 29.6 mm (1.17 in.) | |
| Weight (total) | 265 lb. | |
| Weight of gun | 136 lb. | |
| Weight of mount | 28 lb. | |
| Weight of ammunition can | 36 lb. | |
| Weight of ammunition (60 rounds) | 65 lb. | |
| Weight of recoiling parts | 24 1/2 lb. | |
| Length of gun with blast tube | 7 ft. 6 3/4 ins. | |
| Length of gun | 3 ft. 5 1/4 ins. | |
| Length of barrel | 21 1/2 ins. | |
| Number of lands and grooves | 16 | |
| Maximum length of recoil of bolt | 11 1/2 ins. | |
| Rate of fire | 500 rds./min. | |
| Muzzle velocity (approx.) | H.E.—1,650 f/s.* |
*Not verified
German: p. 255
This new type projectile consists of an 8.8 cm streamlined shell body fitted with centering and rotating band rings which permit it to be fired from a
One disadvantage of this type of shell lies in the possibility of injury to friendly troops when the centering rings and rotating band are cast from the projectile. The centrifugal force would make these pieces into dangerous missiles.
The complete weight of the projectile is 23 pounds. Projectiles examined have been filled with a high explosive charge, and fitted with a percussion type nose fuze
German: p. 311
This antitank weapon, a manually operated, magazine-fed, air-cooled, high-velocity rifle which was standardized for production in 1941, fires the same necked-down cartridge as the Panzerbüchse 39. Although classified as an antitank rifle, the use of heavier armor on modern tanks has rendered the weapon effective against lightly-armored vehicles only.
A hinged bipod similar to that of the MG 34 is attached to the front of the receiver jacket. It folds forward for convenience in carrying. The gun is also equipped With carrying handle and sling; the former is fitted to the top of the barrel group, and the latter is attached on the right side at the bipod and back plate assembly.
A “U” type rear sight and an adjustable front sight of the square block type fold to the rear when not in use.
The gun is put in a “Safe” position by pulling the barrel housing lock extension 1/4-inch to the rear so that its rear alignment mark is aligned with the mark “S” on the barrel housing lock. When in this position, the trigger cannot be pulled, nor can the action be opened. If the trigger is pulled while the action is not entirely closed, the gun will not fire. It is necessary to release the trigger and pull it again in order to release the sear. When the magazine is empty, the action is kept open by the protrusion of the magazine follower which stops the rearward movement of the barrel housing.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber | 7.92 mm (.312 in.) | |
| Weight (with empty magazine) | 29 3/4 lbs. | |
| Length (overall) | 59 1/4 ins. | |
| Sight radius | 30 15/16 ins. | |
| Principle of operation | Manually operated | |
| Feeding device | Magazine | |
| Capacity of feeding device | 6 rounds | |
| Cooling system | Air | |
| Ammunition types | 13 mm case necked down to 7.92 mm. Same as used in the PZ B39. See Page 211.) | |
| Rate of fire | ||
| Type of sight | “U” type rear sight; square block type front sight. | |
| Weight of barrel (w/fittings) | 13 1/4 lbs. | |
| Length of barrel | 43 3/8 ins. | |
| Length of rifling | ||
| Rifling | ||
| Twist | R. H. | |
| Form | ||
| No. of grooves | 4 | |
| Depth of grooves | ||
| Width of grooves | ||
| Muzzle velocity (estimated) | 3,540 f/s | |
| Type of mount | Bipod |
German: p. 210.1 (May 1, 1945)