Weight: 45 lbs
Length: 5 ft
Operation: Shoulder fired; attached monopod/bipod ; or M1917A1 MG tripod.
Sight: M26
Projectiles: HE, 5.3 lbs; High explosive anti tank (HEAT), 5.64 lbs; Smoke, 5.66 lbs
Range: 4300 yards. | Recoilless rifles are capable of firing artillery-type shells at velocities and with an accuracy comparable to those of standard guns, but almost entirely without recoil. The 57mm, shown above top being used by Marines in Korea, was used about like a bazooka. Although much heavier than the M9 2.36 in. bazooka, it could nonetheless be fired from the shoulder. Much more powerful than the M9, and with significantly greater range, it was particularly effective early in the Korean War when the 3.5 inch bazooka was unavailable. Unfortunately, our troops first in the field against the T34, Task Force Smith at Osan, had neither 3.5 in. bazookas, nor adequate supplies of HEAT projectiles for the 57mm recoilless rifles. !
Greetings: During the Korean War there was also a White Phosphorous (WP) round available, in addition to the HE, AT, and Smoke rounds, for the 57mm "reckless". I toasted many MG bunkers with them in 1950-52; as part of G/2d/8th/1st Cav Div.
Regards, JT White,CWO,USA(Ret.) |
