Sabrejet Posted July 8, 2014 Share #1 Posted July 8, 2014 Now...I realize that this is probably a staged photo, but it demonstrates the misconception caused by describing this WW2 Japanese grenade launcher as a "knee mortar"! Although the curved spade fit snuggly over the thigh, it was in fact intended to be placed firmly in the ground in order to absorb the recoil forces (see second pic) As the commentary in the video clip points out, many a GI suffered a broken femur because of mistakenly attempting to fire it from the thigh! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsv8uglVp8s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted July 8, 2014 Share #2 Posted July 8, 2014 I remember recording that way back in the VHS days! Anybody have any record or account that describes Americans trying to fire it in the improper manner? I always wonder about these stories, kind of like how detractors of the M1 insist that you could hear the "ping!" over the din of a firefight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted July 8, 2014 I remember recording that way back in the VHS days! Anybody have any record or account that describes Americans trying to fire it in the improper manner? I always wonder about these stories, kind of like how detractors of the M1 insist that you could hear the "ping!" over the din of a firefight. Or that M1 chinstraps should never be fastened lest it caught the blast of a nearby explosion causing it snap one's head back, thus breaking the neck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted July 8, 2014 Share #4 Posted July 8, 2014 Yep. That one, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave nh Posted July 8, 2014 Share #5 Posted July 8, 2014 Yup my Grandfather told me that a lot of broken legs over there then because of the mortars. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted July 8, 2014 Yup my Grandfather told me that a lot of broken legs over there then because of the mortars. David Ouch! Here's a quote from its wiki entry: "Some Allied infantrymen mistakenly assumed that the launcher's curved plate was propped on the leg to fire and thereafter referred to it as a "knee mortar". However, any soldier or marine who tried to fire a captured Type 89 in this fashion received a severe bruise (and sometimes a broken thigh bone) from the hefty recoil." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyroo Posted September 11, 2014 Share #7 Posted September 11, 2014 Dang! Capture a nifty device, attempt to fire....what do you get?? BUSTED! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted September 11, 2014 Share #8 Posted September 11, 2014 VERY interesting. It looked like it had a little thump to it, probably a bit louder in person. How were these propelled? Looked like he was dumping out a casing each time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skypilot6670 Posted September 11, 2014 Share #9 Posted September 11, 2014 I fired two hand held para flares by slamming them on my thighs.Boy talk about feeling stupid,the next morning I had two silver dollar purple bruises and some very sore legs.I'll bet some guy in Washingtons Army loaded a musket with several loads of powder and fired it off his leg and it still happens I bet with the 203.Some things in the military never change. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmerc20 Posted September 11, 2014 Share #10 Posted September 11, 2014 I fired two hand held para flares by slamming them on my thighs.Boy talk about feeling stupid,the next morning I had two silver dollar purple bruises and some very sore legs.I'll bet some guy in Washingtons Army loaded a musket with several loads of powder and fired it off his leg and it still happens I bet with the 203.Some things in the military never change. Mike I had one and made the mistake of hitting it with my hand. Luckily nothing broke, but as I hit it, I naturally angled the tube down causing the flare to shoot at a 45degree angle versus my intended angle. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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