Korean Service
HOME
Purple Heart
     Infantry Weapons     
     THE WHOLE SITE     
     Combat Photos     

The Foundation of Freedom is the Courage of Ordinary People

History  Bert '53  On Line


The M20 75mm Recoilless Rifle

At 114.5 lbs but tripod mounted, firing HE, HEAT and WP, with a 7000 yard range, the M20 Recoilless gave an Infantry squad two-man team as much fire power as an artillery battery. It was deadly against the enemy's principle armor, the T34, and blew away pill boxes and other positions on forward slopes. A small but fearsome hurricane when fired, it took good men to operate it, and good men even to maintain their support positions.

M20 75mm Recoilless Rifle

M20 75mm Recoilless Rifle
M20 75mm Recoilless Rifle
Hill 200 near Qnmong-Myon, 9 November 1951


Weight: 114.5 lbs
Length: 6ft 10in
Operation: Mounted on M1917A1 .30 caliber MG tripod.
Projectiles: HE, 21.86 lbs; High explosive anti tank (HEAT), 20.54 lbs; Smoke (T40, WP), 22.61 lbs
Range: 7000 yards.

The 75mm reckless gave infantry much the same power as if a couple of men were carrying around a German .88. It could take out a T34 at 400 yards, it could destroy pillbox or cave positions, and it could act as enfilading artillery support.

The 3.5 bazooka effectively eliminated the 57mm reckless, by providing about the same power and effectiveness in a lighter package. Together with the 75 mm reckless, the infantry were provided with a deadly effective combination against any enemy that might come at them on the ground.


Causes of the Korean Tragedy ... Failure of Leadership, Intelligence and Preparation

        KOREAN WAR TIME LINE         
 
     Tanks and Fighting Vehicles     
 
               Enemy Weapons              

     Korean War, 1950-1953        
 
  Map and Battles of the MLR   
 
                 SEARCH SITE                  


The Foundations of Freedom are the Courage of Ordinary People and Quality of our Arms





-  A   VETERAN's  Blog  -
Today's Issues and History's Lessons



  Danish Muslim Cartoons  


  Guest Book