chils123 Posted April 17, 2018 Share #1 Posted April 17, 2018 I bought this Type 10 Knee Mortar from the vet's son a few weeks ago. I just finished having it demilled, so I thought I'd share it.This was brought home by Andrew Zajackowski, who served in the 27th Infantry Division in the 102nd Engineer Battalion. His son said he was a combat veteran of both the fighting on Saipan and Okinawa. Unfortunately he passed away in 1963. His son said he spoke little of the war, so he didn't have too much to add about his service during the conflict.The Type 10 he brought back was made in Showa 13 (1939) near the end of production. These are different from the more famous Type 89 launcher in that they are not rifled, fire a Type 91 grenade rather that the Type 89 shell, and used a gas vent on the back of the launcher to determine range, rather than the adjustable knob on a Type 89. The whole mortar actually dissembles and stores inside the tube when being carried.I am very glad I have been able to document the vet's history and continue to preserve it to this piece of history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted April 17, 2018 Share #2 Posted April 17, 2018 Wow. That is really interesting. I was not familiar with the Type 10. Great that you have the history. Sad to see that the veteran died so early in his life. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badash5946 Posted April 19, 2018 Share #3 Posted April 19, 2018 Great item and nice tribute! Kinda cool how he kept it all these years in a operable state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted April 19, 2018 Share #4 Posted April 19, 2018 That is an incredible bringback. Dad was in the 27th on Okinawa, and by a sheer coincidence, I just posted about the Machinato bridges built by the 102nd Engineers. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/308890-the-most-remarkable-photo-of-wwii-at-least-to-me/?p=2482708 In Love's division history, he writes about the heroic efforts of the 102nd to build, maintain and defend the bridges. It's almost like a mini-Remagen. Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chils123 Posted April 19, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted April 19, 2018 Thanks everyone for the comments! I appreciate it. It's a really nice piece and I'm glad I can preserve the history behind it. That's why I like Japanese items, because many have the US soldier or sailor history too. That is an incredible bringback. Dad was in the 27th on Okinawa, and by a sheer coincidence, I just posted about the Machinato bridges built by the 102nd Engineers.http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/308890-the-most-remarkable-photo-of-wwii-at-least-to-me/?p=2482708In Love's division history, he writes about the heroic efforts of the 102nd to build, maintain and defend the bridges. It's almost like a mini-Remagen.Mikie Mikie,Thank you for the link. I read your thread and I'll check out the link to the story of the bridges later today. I really have to wonder if the vet who brought this back was involved in that. I received a few messages concerned if this piece was properly demilled. I didn't include a photo of the cut because, frankly, who wants to see that, haha! But here's a photo of the cut. It also has a barrel obstruction, as required by law. Hated to do it, but it's the only option when it's never been registered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted April 23, 2018 Share #6 Posted April 23, 2018 Really interesting bring back! Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chils123 Posted April 24, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted April 24, 2018 The son provided me with a photo of the vet in uniform and his discharge papers from post WWII. Seems he stayed in after 1946 in the reserves? Seems the patch on his uniform is for the 4th Service Command, from what I've researched? I'm wondering if this was his post WWII uniform? I'm not an expert in this by any means, so please advise on this, haha! Thanks everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CINCPOA Posted April 25, 2018 Share #8 Posted April 25, 2018 Very nice artifact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SV1976 Posted May 17, 2018 Share #9 Posted May 17, 2018 Yikes!!!! That is crazy nice! Thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibertyDivision Posted July 20, 2018 Share #10 Posted July 20, 2018 Wow. That is a great example Knee mortar. Plus to have all the solid veteran information is stunning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nifman Posted July 20, 2018 Share #11 Posted July 20, 2018 Hello Great find. Are there any potential legal problems before it is demilled? Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted August 16, 2018 Share #12 Posted August 16, 2018 WOW!!! Absolutely fantastic Bringback, I've had a couple knee mortars over the years but not one like this or in that condition!! Beautiful Fritz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 16, 2018 Share #13 Posted August 16, 2018 The son provided me with a photo of the vet in uniform and his discharge papers from post WWII. Seems he stayed in after 1946 in the reserves? Seems the patch on his uniform is for the 4th Service Command, from what I've researched? I'm wondering if this was his post WWII uniform? I'm not an expert in this by any means, so please advise on this, haha! Thanks everyone! The uniform in the picture appears to be his early uniform worn state side. Nice bring back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted August 19, 2018 Share #14 Posted August 19, 2018 The uniform in the picture appears to be his early uniform worn state side. Nice bring back Agreed, No service ribbons are worn. He also apparently was an MP first, and what an interesting way he using what appears to be Crossed Pistols removed from srcewback collar discs to wear on the lower lapels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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