Brig Posted January 8, 2013 Share #1 Posted January 8, 2013 Question...what was the TO load-out (number of rockets carried standard) for a USMC M20 A1B1 Bazooka Man during the Korean War? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted January 8, 2013 Share #2 Posted January 8, 2013 I can find everything about the Bazooka except what you ask. It is a two man team, gunner and loader. The rounds weigh 8.61 pounds each. The max rate of fire is 8 rpm and the sustained rate is 4 rpm. There are two types of launcher. The two are basically the same except for the material they are made of. The M20 (15 lbs) is made of aluminum and the M20B1 (13.5 lbs) is made of cast aluminum magnesium alloy. My best guess is 6 rounds per man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted January 8, 2013 Would these rounds be distributed between the gunner and loader? What was the distribution? 3 and 3? 4 and 2? Again, by TO. Were they actually carried in those bazooka bags you see on eBay? I can't find any images of Marines actually wearing those things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted January 8, 2013 Share #4 Posted January 8, 2013 Brig, the first info I gave you was from a 1956 dated Guidebook For Marines. I have since checked the Ordnance Data Sheets and in 1962 there were 4 models of this bazooka. The data sheets do not specify a TO load out either. I suspect a Bazooka manual is required and I can't get access to mine at the moment. I will check to see if I have a PDF copy. My guess at 6 rpm was a combo of size and weight. I was thinking of those vests and 3 rds front and 3 back. You are right though, I have never see a photo of a Marine using one of those. I would guess they would use the M41 pack and leave the top open. If that is correct then it would probably be 4 RPM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted January 11, 2013 Share #5 Posted January 11, 2013 Hello Brig: According to the Army's FM 23-32 field manual for the 3.5 Inch Rocket Launcher dated April 1958, the team carried 7 rockets. "Seven 3.5 inch rockets are carried by each rocket launcher team. The gunner carries one rocket and the loader carries six.", at page 35. I can't say if the Marines in the KW followed the same practice or not, but that is what the 1958 FM on the subject has to say. Hope that helps you. I have a .PDF version of this manual. If you would like a copy just PM me with your email address and I'll be happy to pass it along. Regards, Charlie Flick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted January 11, 2013 One in the tube, perhaps? Seems like the rounds are too large for the USMC pack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted January 11, 2013 Share #7 Posted January 11, 2013 Charlie, I would like a copy of that manual too if you don't mind. I will PM with my email address. Brig, you see a lot of photos of Marines using the M1941 pack as a carry all. The top is open and the solid fiber tubes are sticking out the top. That was probably more common than the ammo vest that was intended to carry this sort of ordnance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted January 11, 2013 thought the M20 rounds didn't come in a tube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted January 11, 2013 Share #9 Posted January 11, 2013 Charlie, I would like a copy of that manual too if you don't mind. I will PM with my email address. On the way. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted January 11, 2013 Share #10 Posted January 11, 2013 thought the M20 rounds didn't come in a tube? Per FM 23-32 "Rockets are packed in individual, hermetically sealed metal containers, in quantities of three containers (3 rockets) per wooden box....Fiber containers are sometimes used instead of metal." Regards, Charlie Flick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted January 11, 2013 Makes sense. We still use our assault packs as a carry all on missions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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