The above photo shows a set of 3
claws, attached to a stabilizer tube and fins,
into which a Mark II fragmentation grenade is
inserted. Attached to one claw is a metal tab,
which is inserted through an arming clip, then
bent down to retain the clip to the claw. The
grenade arming lever is inserted through the
arming clip, and is restrained by the clip,
keeping the grenade safetied even after the
safety pin is removed
The launcher was an extension of
your rifle. The rifle grenade, and hand grenade
with adapter, were the projectiles fired.
First, the adapter/grenade was
placed on the launcher to the desired range ring.
Next, the grenade and adapter were rotated so the
safety lever and arming clip were down. Then, the
grenade was grasped firmly with one hand, and the
pin withdrawn with the other.
With the frag grenade shown
above, the arming-clip into which you insert the
safety lever, or spoon, is kept on the adapter by
the bent metal tab. When you fire it, inertia is
enough for the arming clip to straighten out the
bent piece, and this lets the adapter/grenade
accelerate out of the clip, freeing the spoon,
and arming the grenade.
The grenade stays attached to the
adapter throughout the flight path, to the bitter
end, with the flight stabilized by the tube and
fins.
Times change, and so does weapon
effectiveness. In general, we preferred regular
Mark Deuce and Mark 14 hand grenades, with
heavier duty stuff from the 60mm mortars. We
didn't want tip our positions or make
critical mistakes (like forgetting the grenade
cartridge or forgetting to remove the launcher
from the M1 - these things happen when a bunch of
guys are coming at you in the dark). Remember,
T-34 armor was invulnerable to the rifle
anti-tank shaped-charge grenades. If we had to
take on armor, we'd use 3.5 in. bazookas, or
recoilless rifles, but we naturally preferred
having the 105s or bigger arty, or our own tanks,
knock them out. Against regular infantry,
usually, we'd just shower ordinary hand
grenades down on them, 30 yards or more, if they
attacked us, and we would get to within 10 yards
or so before throwing grenades, if we were going
after them. Night patrols, when stuff hit the
fan, all grenade action was at close
quarters.
The rifle grenade was useful for
50-100 yard tries at crew served weapons in
movement situations, or so I've heard at
reunions.
