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AMMUNITION
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20. AUTHORIZED ROUNDS.
a. The ammunition currently authorized for use in Launcher, rocket, A.T., 2.36", M1A1, comprises the following rounds:
ROCKET, H.E., A.T., 2.36", M6A3; ROCKET, H.E., A.T., 2.36", M6A1.
ROCKET, practice, 2.36", M7A3; ROCKET, practice, 2.36", M7A1.
21. IDENTIFICATION.
a. General. Ammunition is identified by the painting and marking on the item and all its packings. Complete identification of an item of ammunition consists of:
(1) The standard nomenclature, which includes type, size, and model designation.
(2) The ammunition lot number, which, in general, includes the loader's lot number, the loader's symbol, and the date of loading.
b. Standard Nomenclature. Standard nomenclature is established in order that each item issued by the Ordnance Department may be specifically designated. Standard nomenclature for rockets is published in Standard Nomenclature List No. S-9. The use of standard nomenclature is mandatory for all purposes of record.
c. Model. When an item is adopted, it is assigned a model designation which consists of the letter "M" and an arabic numeral. If the item is modified, this is shown by adding the letter "A" and the appropriate numeral to the model designation.
d. Lot Number. The ammunition lot number is used to identify a quantity of items manufactured under uniform conditions and which is expected to function uniformly. The ammunition lot number is required in all reference to specific items of ammunition in records and reports.
e. Ammunition Identification Code. In order to facilitate requisitions
and records of ammunition in the field, each item of ammunition is assigned a
five character code symbol. These symbols are listed in Standard Nomenclature
Lists and Ordnance Field Service Bulletin No.
f. Data Card. A 5- x 8-inch card, containing information concerning the ammunition and its components, is sent with each shipment of ammunition. When required, directions for assembly are printed on the reverse of the card.
g. Earlier Models.
(1) Ammunition issued for the Launcher, rocket, A.T., 2.36", M1, was known as the M6 and M7 Rockets. The M1 Launcher is no longer available and the M6 and M7 Rockets cannot be used in the Launcher, rocket, A.T., 2.36", M1A1.
(2) The M6 and M7 Rockets have a contact ring on the nose of the rocket and a connecting wire, taped to the outside, running from this ring to the tail. These are not present on the authorized rounds.
(3) The M6 and M7 Rockets have a cord tied to the safety pin and tail closing plug; the authorized rounds have no such cord.
(4) The M6A3 and M7A3 Rockets have rounded nose and wheel-shaped fin, while the M6A1 and M7A1 have pointed nose and fin without rim.
22. DESCRIPTION.
a. General. The 2.36" rocket (fig. 15), consists of a head, a stabilizer tube, and a finned tail. The head of the H.E., A.T. rocket contains a high-explosive charge; the head of the practice rocket is inert. The stabilizer tube is closed at the forward end by a plug, containing the fuze, which screws into the head. A safety pin passes through the plug and the fuze, and prevents the fuze from functioning while it remains in place. The tail assembly attached to the rear of the tube consists of a nozzle to which the fins are welded. The stabilizer tube contains the propelling charge and an electric igniter. The lead wires of the igniter pass through the nozzle; the short lead is soldered to a fin, the long lead is stripped of insulation for approximately 6 inches from the end. The end is formed into a tab and is lightly taped to another fin. This wire is known as the contact wire (fig. 14). The nozzle is closed with a cardboard disk to protect the propelling charge from dirt and moisture.
![[Figure 15 -- Rocket, H.E., A.T., 2.36-inch, M6A1 (lower) and Rocket, Practice, A.T., 2.36-inch, M7A1 (upper)]](pics/bazooka-rocket-ammunition-m6a1-m7a1-fig15.jpg "Figure 15 -- Rocket, H.E., A.T., 2.36-inch, M6A1 (lower) and Rocket, Practice, A.T., 2.36-inch, M7A1 (upper)") |
| Figure 15 — Rocket, H.E., A.T., 2.36", M6A1 (lower) and Rocket, Practice, A.T., 2.36", M7A1 (upper) |
b. Painting and Marking. H.E., A.T. rockets are painted olive-drab and marked in yellow with type, model, and lot number. Practice rockets are painted black and marked in white.
c. Preparation for Firing. Rockets are prepared for firing by the following steps:
(1) Unseal package and remove rocket from packing.
(2) Insert head of rocket in launcher, remove safety pin from tube, and complete insertion of rocket in launcher as described in paragraph 8.
(3) By means of the tab formed on the end, pull the contact wire from its taped attachment to the fin (fig. 15). Complete instructions for loading are contained in paragraph 8.
NOTE: No attempt should be made to remove the short wire which is soldered to the fin. Do not break or disconnect the contact wire at the point where it enters the rocket.
23. DATA.
a. The 2.36" rockets are 21.6 inches long and weigh 3.5 pounds. Fired from the launcher, they have a muzzle velocity of approximately 265 feet per second. Maximum range is 700 yards but limit of effective aimed fire is 300 yards.
b. Since the effect of the H.E., A.T. rocket is produced entirely by the high order explosion of the head, the rocket will produce the same effect regardless of its velocity at impact, provided the impact is sufficient to operate the fuze. After the safety pin has been removed, a blow, equivalent to dropping the rocket on its nose on normal soil, will operate the fuze and detonate the rocket. Light impacts insufficient to detonate the fuze, will increase its sensitivity so that the fuze will detonate on receiving a lighter impact than ordinarily necessary for functioning.
c. The propelling charge normally burns in 0.02 to 0.03 second, that is, burning is complete before the rocket leaves the launcher.
24. EFFECT.
a. ROCKET, H.E., A.T., 2.36", M6A1, has effect against various targets as follows:
(1) ARMOR PLATE. Penetration of armor found on most tanks may be expected at all ranges. A hole is blown through the armor and heated particles of metal are sprayed through in a cone shaped pattern. Any ammunition within this pattern is usually exploded.
(2) MASONRY. Penetration of brick and masonry from several inches to a foot or more, depending on quality of structure, may be expected.
(3) STRUCTURAL STEEL. Produces shattering effect against cast steels and such materials as girders and railroad rails. Produces extensive damage, probably irreparable, to motor blocks.
(4) WOOD. Penetration of timber from several inches to a foot or more, depending on the timber, may be expected.
(5) SOIL. Impact with ground at ranges below 300 yards will ordinarily result in a ricochet rather than a detonation. At ranges in excess of 300 yards, the angle of impact is steep enough to cause a detonation which resembles that of a 75-mm high-explosive shell. However, impact on a very soft material such as mud, soft sand, or water will not cause detonation of the rocket.
25. CARE AND PRECAUTIONS IN HANDLING.
a. Ammunition is packed to withstand all conditions ordinarily encountered; however, the following should be observed:
(1) Boxes containing ammunition should not be dropped, thrown, tumbled, or dragged.
(2) The waterproof sealing of ammunition containers should not be broken until the ammunition is about to be used. Items unpacked but not used should be restored to their original condition and packings and resealed.
b. Rockets should be protected against moisture and extremes of temperature. They should not be stored where temperatures exceed 120 F and should not be exposed to the direct rays of the sun.
c. In firing rockets, consideration should be given to the blast of flame to the rear. The loader should exercise particular care to stand clear of the blast.
d. Rockets prepared for firing and not fired will have the safety pin replaced and will be returned to the original container which will be resealed.
e. If a rocket fails to fire and examination shows the launcher is not at fault, the safety pin will be replaced and the rocket set aside for destruction by authorized personnel.
f. Rockets must not be disassembled.
26. PACKING.
a. The 2.36" rocket is packed (fig. 16) one per fiber container. Each fiber container is sealed with a strip of adhesive tape (yellow for H.E., A.T., M6A1, and blue for practice Rockets M7A1), printed with the type and model of the rocket. Twenty such containers are packed to the wooden box, 1.55 x 1.13 x 2.08 feet. As packed, the box weighs approximately 128 pounds.
![[Figure 16 -- Packing of 2.36-inch Rockets]](pics/bazooka-rockets-packaging-wwii-fig16.jpg "Figure 16 -- Packing of 2.36-inch Rockets") |
| Figure 16 — Packing of 2.36" Rockets |
27. FIELD REPORT OF ACCIDENTS.
a. When an accident involving the use of ammunition occurs during training practice, the procedure prescribed in section VII, AR 750-10, will be observed by the ordnance officer under whose supervision the ammunition is maintained or issued. Where practicable, reports covering malfunctions of ammunition in combat will be made to the Chief of Ordnance, giving the type of malfunction, type of ammunition, the lot number of the complete rounds or separate-loading components, and condition under which fired.
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