M1A1 2.36-inch Antitank Rocket Launcher (JULY 1943 – OCTOBER 1943)
“ M1A1 A.T. ROCKET LAUNCHER “
The M1A1 2.36-inch AT Rocket Launcher (aka
‘Bazooka’) is a smooth-bore, breech-loading, electrically operated shoulder weapon of the ‘open’ steel tube type . It is fired
from the shoulder in either standing, kneeling, sitting, or prone position . The Rocket Launcher is used to launch high-explosive (HE)
rockets against tanks (AT), armored vehicles, pillboxes, and other emplacements . The ammunition consists of rockets capable of penetrating
heavy armor at angles of impact up to 30 degrees . The weapon itself can be aimed up to distances of 300 yards . The Rocket Launcher has a
maximum range of 700 yards .
The M1A1 ‘Bazooka’ is equipped with sights, hand grip, wooden stock, web sling, firing mechanism, face
guard, breech guard, tail latch, and flash deflector . Front and rear sights are mounted on the left side of the barrel . While the front
sight consists of 3 studs representing ranges of 100, 200, and 300 yards, the rear one is only a peep type sight . Since both sights are
fixed, the gunner must estimate intermediary ranges, ranges in excess of 300 yards, as well as windage and lead . The hand grip consists of
left and right trigger grips which are attached to the trigger support, the latter accommodates trigger guard, trigger, and lower and upper
trigger switch contacts . The wooden stock is shaped to fit against the shoulder, it contains two vertical cylindrical compartments housing 4
batteries (2 for current supply to ignite rockets, and 2 for spares) . A small lamp in a recess on the left side is used as a circuit tester
(with another spare lamp under the circuit indicator cover) . The stock bottom is fitted with a hasp assembly keeping the batteries in
position . It is kept closed by a spring actuated hasp catch which engages the stock pin . Battery spring contacts are connected by wire to
the stock support to complete the electric circuit . The web sling (either khaki or olive-drab) is fastened to the hand grip and to a bracket
located between stock and breech . When the trigger is squeezed, it forces the bar contact against the lower trigger switch contact to
complete the circuit . The passage of the electric current thru the rocket body sets off an electric igniter in the rocket itself which in
turn ignites the propelling charge . Rearward escaping powder gases force the rocket out of the barrel with a muzzle velocity of approximately
265 feet per second . Since propulsion of the rocket is achieved by jet action of the propellent powder, there is no recoil ! The face guard
is located on the barrel above the stock, it serves to protect the firer’s face from the heat in the tube . The breech guard is a flaring
metal ring mounted on the rear end of the barrel, it facilitates loading, prevents denting of the tube, and dirt or mud from entering when
resting the weapon on the ground . The tail latch is spring-actuated and located on top of the tube and projects over the breech . When a
rocket is inserted, the latch engages in one or two of the notches of the tail fins and keeps the projectile from sliding either further into
or out of the barrel while aiming the weapon . That part of the latch engaging the notches, and the notches themselves, are unpainted, in
order to ground the electric circuit thru the launcher tube ! The contact edge of the tail latch and the notches are cammed in order to permit
automatic release of the rocket when fired . The flash deflector prevents particles of unburned powder from blowing back onto the gunner’s
face and hands, it is made of fine wire mesh with a rigid wire frame of conical shape fastened to the tube by a mounting clamp with screw and
nut, and mounted flush with the muzzle end (protective face masks were later introduced for the gunner) .
The M1A1 2.36-inch Antitank Rocket Launcher is both an offensive and defensive weapon . In both types of action
it is used primarily against hostile armored vehicles which come within effective range . It can also be employed against emplaced automatic
weapons, buildings, embrasures, and fortified positions . The weapon is essentially one of opportunity . In
the hands of trained personnel, it is a powerful infantry supporting weapon at short ranges, capable of delivering harassing fire, and it is
extremely valuable in attacks on vehicular bivouacs, disabled armored vehicles, and for use in ambushes ! This antitank weapon is very useful
for close-in defense of crew-served weapons, for close protection of motorized columns, and the general defense of rear area installations .
No additional personnel, except gunner and loader, are allotted for operating Rocket Launchers and Rockets . The weapon will be operated and
properly cared for by designated personnel in addition to their regularly assigned duties, and primarily when necessary to repel a mechanized
attack . In emergencies a ‘Bazooka’ may be operated by one man . For mutual support, it is however highly
desirable that teams of rocketeers work in pairs, or threes, and be so located to obtain flanking fire against the lighter armor on sides and
rear of hostile mechanized and/or armored vehicles . It is recommended that as many individuals as possible be trained in the use of the
Rocket Launcher and Rockets, as training time and ammunition will permit …
There is a special wooden Packing Box to transport 6 M1A1 AT Rocket Launchers, 6 web Slings, and 6 wire Flash
Deflectors . Dimensions are 60 1/4” x 17 5/8” x 16 3/4”, displacement 10 cu ft, gross weight 155 lb . The Rockets are also packed individually
in M87 Fiber Containers, while 20 such Containers are transported in another wooden Packing Box with following
characteristics : 24 ½” x 18 2/3” x 13 ½”, representing 37 cu ft and 128 lb .
Note : it is recommended that Rockets be supplemented by Antitank Grenades fired by Rifle Grenadiers
The corresponding Ammunition authorized for use with the M1A1 2.36-inch AT Rocket Launcher
comprises the M6A3 Rocket, HE, AT, 2.36” and the M6A1 Rocket, HE, AT, 2.36”
(practice ammo is M7A3 Rocket, Practice, 2.36” & M7A1 Rocket, Practice, 2.36”) . There were also M6 and M6A2 Rockets (and M7
Rocket, Practice) declared limited standard, as well as an M10 WP Rocket, Smoke (discontinued !) . The M6A3 Rocket
has a rounded nose and well-shaped fin assembly, while the M6A1 type has an ogive-shaped (i.e. pointed)
nose and a fin assembly without rim . The body contains the high explosive charge (lead azide detonator charge + tetryl pellet) . Construction
consists of ogive or nose, body, stabilizer tube, finned tail assembly, and safety pin . The stabilizer tube contains the propellent charge
and igniter which are electrically actuated . The destructive effect of the Rocket is produced entirely by the high explosive charge contained
in the body . If the safety pin has been removed, the fuze will operate and detonate if the Rocket receives a blow equivalent to dropping it
on its nose on normal soil from a height of 48 inches ! The projectile penetrates a comparatively thick armor plate (3” of homogeneous steel)
at all ranges and at angles of impact as great as 60° from normal or head-on; it blows a hole about 1 inch in diameter thru the plate .
Particles of the armor, heated to incandescence, are blown from the inside of the armor plate in a cone roughly 90° causing antipersonnel
damage as far as 30 yds . Any ammunition within the cone is usually exploded . Rocket body fragmentation occurs outside the steel plate . The
Rocket will penetrate brick or rock masonry, and timbered construction up to a considerable thickness (9” pine timber) . M6A3 as well as M6A1
HE AT Rockets are painted olive-drab, with type, model, and lot number marked in yellow (1943) and black (1944) (while practice projectiles
are painted black with white markings, later changed to blue, with white data) . The 2.36” HE AT Rocket is packed one per individual
M87 Fiber Container (laminated asphalt-filled chipboard) . Each container is sealed with a strip of yellow 2”
adhesive tape (3” blue strip for practice ammo) printed with type and model . 20 such containers are then packed in a wooden box for further
transportation . For the field, an M6 Rocket Carrying Bag made of a strong durable lightweight canvas is
designed to carry 3 HE Rockets in their fiber containers . It can be carried at the side by means of handles, or over the shoulder by means
of a shoulder strap . Closure is either by a single ‘Lift-the-dot’ button (first pattern) or by two ‘Lift-the-dot’ buttons (second pattern) .
Allowance is 2 bags per Bazooka team . There is also an airborne version, M6 Rocket Carrying Bag Parachutist
which has been modified by adding a snaphook to attach it to the parachute harness, 2 ‘D’ rings, and 2 cotton tapes to secure the bag to the
paratrooper’s leg .
 Loader grasps Rocket in left hand  Loader inserts Rocket into Launcher and removes safety pin  Loader raises tail latch, pushes Rocket completely into Launcher  Loader removes contact wire from Rocket fin  Loader fixes contact to Launcher contact spring  Loader taps Gunner, calls ‘UP’ |
Remark : the early production Rocket Launcher was provided with a double hand grip, and standardized June 30, 1942 as
Launcher, Rocket, AT, M1 (with Rocket, HE, M6, and Rocket, Practice, M7) . The weapon was soon dubbed ‘Bazooka’ since resembling
a musical instrument used by radio comedian Bob Burns . Due to problems encountered in the field, issue of the M1 Rocket Launcher was
temporarily suspended in May 1943 . On 16 July 1943, an improved version, designated M1A1 was adopted, while
the ammunition was equally redesigned and improved leading to introduction of the Rocket, HE, M6A1 (and M7A1 Practice) . In October 1943, a
new two-piece improved Bazooka was now developed, i.e. designated M9, subsequently redesignated as
M9A1 with improved coupling mechanism . Improved Rockets, HE, M6A2, M6A3, (and M7A2, M7A3 Practice) were also introduced and
eventually standardized . In July-August 1945 an experimental model designated M18 was ordered (aluminum
alloy, weight 10.5 lb) but cancelled when the war with Japan ended . Total production numbered approximately 460,000 Launcher units . Rocket
Launcher Manufacturers; General Electric Corp. (Bridgeport Works) and Cheney Bigelow Wire Works (Springfield), while E.G. Budd Co. was the
first producer of the HE AT Rockets . Reference Literature; TM 9-294, FM 23-30, TM 9-2200, SNL B-36, SNL B-41 .
| General data comparison: M1 M1A1 M9 M9A1 | Lenght 54" 54.5" 61" 61.1" | Weight 18 lb 13.26 lb 15.14 lb 15.87 lb | Introduction June 42 July 43 October43 June 44 | length assy for carrying 31 ½” length assy for carrying 31 ½” |
 M1 Rocket Launcher M1A1 Rocket Launcher |
