"US 60mm Mortar projectiles use as Grenades" Topic

OK so now I am on firm ground having read the book last week. The book Company Commander By Charles C Macdonald specificaly notes ordering 60mm mortar bombs specificaly modified so they can be fired from the M1 grenade launcher. It specificaly states they had been of great use in the siege of Brest. Can anybody compare and contrast this to a standard grenade launched from an M1. How big was the difference?

I can't tell you, but suspect Wikipedia will be your friend in this case.

the 60mm makes amuch bigger bang. The shells weight 3lb, as opposed toe around 1lb for a hand grenade (yes, some of that is propellent, but even so…)

Boys, don't try this at home please!

the 60mm makes a much bigger bang. The shells weight 3lb, as opposed to around 1lb for a hand grenade (yes, some of that is propellent, but even so…)

I believe that is true and the bottom line, AFAIK …

Also –
Legionarious +1

OOPS never thought of looking here lots of good info.

TMP link

The below details on preparing the weapon are taken from "Battle Experiences" by First US Army Group, issue No.10 dated 29 July 1944.

"Use of 60 mm mortar shell as rifle grenades

Equipment – The _th Infantry Regiment has found that the 60 mm mortar shell HE may be fired from the M-1 rifle by means of the grenade launcher M-7 and the fragmentation grenade adapted M-1. Six inches of wire per shell and a pair of pliers are the only additional materials needed.

Preparation – the preparation is as follows:
a. Remove increments from mortar shell
b. Bend outward the finger of the grenade adapter designed to receive the fragmentation grenade handle.
c. Insert the fins of the mortar shell into into the fingers of the grenade adapter. The shell is normally fired with the adapter down as far as it will go on the launcher.
d. Tie a piece of wire around the tips of the fingers of the grenade adapter, thus securing the shell to the adapter.

Method – The rifle is normally fired from the kneeling position with the butt resting on the ground. An angle of 45 degrees will give a maximum range of 100 to 110 yards; 60 degrees will give 85 yards range; 70 degrees will give 60 yards range. Low angle fire can also be used and is often fired into thick hedgerow foliage to produce tree bursts.
Note: caution grenadier to pull safety pin before firing.

Duds – Due to the relatively low force exerted by the rifle grenade cartridge, the fuse will sometimes not arm and the shell will be a dud. This is especially true of low-angle fire which will produce about 25% duds.

Sight – accuracy has been improved by use of a sight improvised by the Division ordnance company. It is attached to the stacking swivel and establishes the angle of elevation. Direction is obtained by sighting over the barrel."

Gary

Good intel Gary !

In combat you are likely to do things that no one would do in training. For example, try "cooking off" a grenade in training? You will be yelled at by your drill sergeant. In combat, you do it, or it make come back to haunt you. The same goes for seat belts in HMMVS, close in mortar fire, and many, many such risky tricks.

Or if you've got a good arm, you can throw them like footballs (like a US soldier did on Okinawa to break up a Japanese attack…)

Wasn't there a seen in Saving Private Ryan where they do this in the last battle?

I think that the SPR scene was something to do with the paratroops having 60mm shells but no mortar. There was supposed to be a trick that involved slamming the shell on the tail piece to arm it, then throw it like a grenade? I can't recall the details (as you can probably tell) but I think there was some disbelief at how easy it was to get the rounds to detonate without firing them.

Gary

Legiounarius +1 again …

Yes in BoB, they had 60mm mortars and used them in the standard ways. In SPR they used the 60mm mortar rounds as hand grenades. After arming the round by slamming it on the base plate, etc. From what I understand, as I was not there/born, that could work.

Spr was "correct" on that.
There are two safeties.
A pull pin and an acceleration based one.
Firing the mortar usually armed the latter.
Whackinv one on the tail simulates that.
It's then armed the contact fuse.
Bit over 5oz tnt filler.
Almost as much as a german stick grenade.