Corrections, WWII Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 17, January 28, 1943 (Lone Sentry)

From time to time errors may occur in Tactical and Technical Trends. In the interest of accuracy, corrections will be published when considered of sufficient importance. It will be appreciated if those errors noted by readers are brought to the attention of the Dissemination Group, Military Intelligence Service.

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a. No. 12, p. 7

Reference was here made to a Japanese three-barreled 25-mm antiaircraft gun, and it was stated that although reported as 25-mm, the gun was possibly the standard 20-mm. Captured ammunition has definitely shown the caliber to be 25-mm. The propellant charge is a good deal larger than that of the 20-mm ammunition and the range is believed to be considerably greater. The 20-mm has a horizontal range of 5,450 yards and a vertical range of 12,200 feet. This three-barreled pom-pom, while a weapon of the Japanese Navy, can also be used ashore.

b. No. 14, p. 48

It was here stated that a 3-days' food supply for a Japanese paratrooper included, among other things, "Rice--2 kg - 250 grams (21 lbs 4 oz)" This was an error in conversion, as 2 kilograms - 250 grams is the equivalent of about 4.9 pounds.

c. No. 16, p. 23

It was here stated that in night combat Japanese fire could not be accurately returned because they used "flashless powder." It is true that the Japanese 38 year (1905) pattern rifle shows no flash when fired at night. However, this is caused not by the flashless properties of the powder but by the long barrel (31.5 in), which results in the complete combustion of the powder before it reaches the muzzle. The smaller powder charge and lighter bullet combine to give a lower muzzle velocity which also helps to eliminate flash. Flash is present in Japanese machine guns, carbines, and short rifles because some still-burning powder is blown out of the muzzle of these shorter-barreled weapons, proving their powder is not actually flashless.