Firepower vs. Jap Log Pillboxes
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Year Published: 1940s
Creator: U.S. Army Pictorial Service
Description:
Produced by the U.S. Army Pictorial Service, “Firepower vs. Jap Log Pillboxes” (issue no. F.B. 122 restricted) is a black-and-white World War II-era military film that depicts a weapons firing test at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. The tests were carried out to see which special weapons were most effective against the Japanese log pillbox bunkers found across the Pacific theater. The bunkers proved especially difficult to penetrate for some time and presented American troops with great difficulties. The film features various World War-II era weapon such as the M9A1 rifle grenade, M2 4.2-inch chemical mortar, type 11 37mm infantry gun, and the 105mm Howitzer among others.
Film opens, opening credits (0:07). View of men chopping and clearing logs in wooded area of Aberdeen Proving Ground (Maryland) to prepare it to be a “Japanese held position” for the sake of special ordinance tests (0:26). Engineer surveys land with two officers, advises on construction of “Japanese Pillbox” bunkers based off intelligence gathered in the Pacific Theater (0:37). Men carry heavy pine logs into site, construct base of six bunkers (two types with three designs of each type, all similar except for size and extent) (0:46). Example of second bunker that uses earth-filled oil drums rather than logs, young man shovels dirt into oil drum (1:13). Men use hammers to hammer in wooden and metal picks into frame of bunker, cover tops with dirt (1:16). Animated drawings of bunker design offer more information on construction detail (1:36). Narrator discusses issues presented by the pill boxes to American artillery units (2:11). Weapon selection process for Aberdeen test: Priority given to weapons that could be broken down into man transport loads; Camera pans field of artillery weapons lined up for test (2:40). Firing tests, shots of direct hits: M9A1 rifle grenade (3:06). MK2 grenade (3:19). Bazooka (3:22). M-8 rocket (3:31). 40mm mortar, targets tree tops (3:48). M1 (81mm) mortar, effective for clearing earth camouflaging bunkers (4:09). M2 4.2-inch chemical mortar, close-up mortar shell that has “TNT” printed on exterior (4:28). 37 mm gun M3 (4:44). Type 11 37mm infantry gun (5:00). 105mm Howitzer (5:17). Officers assess results of the firing test by looking at damage to bunkers: Small arms ammunition ineffective, grenades effective (5:32). Soldier prepares Mk 2 fragmentation grenade with adapter grenade projection M1 (Springfield M1903) for firing (6:07). Close-up preparation of M9A1 anti-tank grenade mounted on M8 launcher; Close-up as blank cartridge placed into chamber (6:32). White phosphorus T5 rifle grenade (7:01). M17 rifle grenade (7:05). Two soldiers prepare firing of M1 (Bazooka) / (2.36-inch Rocket Launcher M1) (7:18). Soldier surveys immense damage in interior of pill box, attributed to M8 4.5-inch (114 mm) rocket from artillery rocket launcher T35; View of assembly and components of the charge; View of set-up in field (7:32). Results of mortar fire assessed: High angle fire of M49 A2 shell from 60mm ineffective so base firing mechanism developed (60mm mortar T18E6); M43 A1 projectile fired from 81mm mortar M1 ineffective, replaced with 10lb M56 shell M53 delay fuse (9:06). Assessment of damage by M2 4.2-inch chemical mortar, effective but heavy equipment; Lightweight 37mm T32 firing from 50 caliber machine gun tripod developed (9:56). Assessment of damage caused by 75mm Pack Howitzer M1 firing of M48 high explosive shell; Additional damage by 105mm Howitzer (10:36). Conclusion, narrator synthesizes results from firing test, visual chart appears on screen (11:11). Closing credits (11:48). Film ends (11:54).
Complete Record: Produced by the U.S. Army Pictorial Service, “Firepower vs. Jap Log Pillboxes” (issue no. F.B. 122 restricted) is a black-and-white World War II-era military film that depicts a weapons firing test at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. The tests were carried out to see which special weapons were most effective against the Japanese log pillbox bunkers found across the Pacific theater. The bunkers proved especially difficult to penetrate for some time and presented American troops with great difficulties. The film features various World War-II era weapon such as the M9A1 rifle grenade, M2 4.2-inch chemical mortar, type 11 37mm infantry gun, and the 105mm Howitzer among others. Film opens, opening credits (0:07). View of men chopping and clearing logs in wooded area of Aberdeen Proving Ground (Maryland) to prepare it to be a “Japanese held position” for the sake of special ordinance tests (0:26). Engineer surveys land with two officers, advises on construction of “Japanese Pillbox” bunkers based off intelligence gathered in the Pacific Theater (0:37). Men carry heavy pine logs into site, construct base of six bunkers (two types with three designs of each type, all similar except for size and extent) (0:46). Example of second bunker that uses earth-filled oil drums rather than logs, young man shovels dirt into oil drum (1:13). Men use hammers to hammer in wooden and metal picks into frame of bunker, cover tops with dirt (1:16). Animated drawings of bunker design offer more information on construction detail (1:36). Narrator discusses issues presented by the pill boxes to American artillery units (2:11). Weapon selection process for Aberdeen test: Priority given to weapons that could be broken down into man transport loads; Camera pans field of artillery weapons lined up for test (2:40). Firing tests, shots of direct hits: M9A1 rifle grenade (3:06). MK2 grenade (3:19). Bazooka (3:22). M-8 rocket (3:31). 40mm mortar, targets tree tops (3:48). M1 (81mm) mortar, effective for clearing earth camouflaging bunkers (4:09). M2 4.2-inch chemical mortar, close-up mortar shell that has “TNT” printed on exterior (4:28). 37 mm gun M3 (4:44). Type 11 37mm infantry gun (5:00). 105mm Howitzer (5:17). Officers assess results of the firing test by looking at damage to bunkers: Small arms ammunition ineffective, grenades effective (5:32). Soldier prepares Mk 2 fragmentation grenade with adapter grenade projection M1 (Springfield M1903) for firing (6:07). Close-up preparation of M9A1 anti-tank grenade mounted on M8 launcher; Close-up as blank cartridge placed into chamber (6:32). White phosphorus T5 rifle grenade (7:01). M17 rifle grenade (7:05). Two soldiers prepare firing of M1 (Bazooka) / (2.36-inch Rocket Launcher M1) (7:18). Soldier surveys immense damage in interior of pill box, attributed to M8 4.5-inch (114 mm) rocket from artillery rocket launcher T35; View of assembly and components of the charge; View of set-up in field (7:32). Results of mortar fire assessed: High angle fire of M49 A2 shell from 60mm ineffective so base firing mechanism developed (60mm mortar T18E6); M43 A1 projectile fired from 81mm mortar M1 ineffective, replaced with 10lb M56 shell M53 delay fuse (9:06). Assessment of damage by M2 4.2-inch chemical mortar, effective but heavy equipment; Lightweight 37mm T32 firing from 50 caliber machine gun tripod developed (9:56). Assessment of damage caused by 75mm Pack Howitzer M1 firing of M48 high explosive shell; Additional damage by 105mm Howitzer (10:36). Conclusion, narrator synthesizes results from firing test, visual chart appears on screen (11:11). Closing credits (11:48). Film ends (11:54).
Transcription
[Music] a heavily wooded area of the research center at aine Pro ground will become a Japanese held position but only for the purposes of special ordinance tests at this site type bunkers or pill boxes are constructed according to core of engineer designs based on reports out of the Pacific Theater of operations the heavy Pine logs are from the Maryland forests and it's interesting to note that they are found to be even stronger than the coconut logs employed by the Japs a total of six bunkers are built they are two types with three designs of each type all are similar except for size and extent also while one type has log walls the second utilizes Earth filled oil drums for its lower walls the Ordinance Department will employ selected weapons against these pill boxes the objective to evaluate standard weapons and their ammunition as well as new weapons developed for this type of warfare these animated drawings will further amplify the construction detail as mentioned there is a variance as to size but you're looking at a typical pill box with typical Dimensions it cannot be emphasized too strongly that every possible feature of construction is duplicated so as to give maximum value to the firing test from the start of our offensive against the Japs their field fortifications presented many new problems in general the enemy camouflaged his installations to a high degree often first knowledge of their presence was attained when men stumbled over them never sure where the lurked beneath the foliage observation has been most difficult making reduction of the Pill Box by direct artillery fire almost impossible and the control of indirect fire most precarious for the observer in selecting weapons for the aine tests primary consideration was given to individual weights and mobility in the jungle generally preference was given to weapons and ammunition capable of being broken down into man transport loads accepting of course the 75 mm and the 105 mm howitzers we'll show the weapons in action the details as to their new features and Effectiveness will be discussed and Illustrated after all the firing is completed for the purposes of this film we will show only the actual hits on the target it is emphasized that with indirect fire considerable difficulty is encountered in getting the center of impact onto the point target especially when observation is difficult it is expected that only a fraction of rounds fired will be direct hits in the jungle super quick fuses function in the trees delay fuses of the first 81 mm mortar rounds usually are initiated in Treet Toops but this works as an advantage for the dense overhanging foliage is removed by the explosions in addition Air Bursts result which are most effective against exposed enemy Personnel although relatively ineffective against hostile troops Undercover [Music] f is now for some results while almost all the standard weapons of the soldier were fired at one time or another we'll examine mainly those we actually saw discharged in this film in the reduction of this type fortification Small Arms ammunition was ineffective except when fire could be brought to bear directly against Personnel within the embur grenades projected by the carbine and right rifles were most effective but they too must be directed into the interior through Embraer openings the mark 2 fragmentation grenade with the adapter grenade projection M1 was projected from the various launchers here we see the 1903 Rifle as it is used for grenade firing the official nomenclature for both the 1903 and the 1917 rifle launcher is launcher grenade M1 the M9 A1 anti-tank rifle grenade in this case was fired from the carbine mounting the M8 launcher placing the blank cartridge into the chamber for grenade firing completes the procedure of getting ready to fire also included in the test were the white phospherous T5 rifle grenade and the m17 rifle grenade as mentioned all were at their best when striking into the Embers the same goes for the Bazooka it too was not effective when functioning took place on the exterior of the pill box this is the Bazooka we used the 2.36 in rocket launcher M1 A1 when the rocket gets into the bunker the results can be most destructive some of the bigger damage inside the pill box is attributed to a new and most powerful weapon a 38lb 4.5 in rocket M8 fired from the artillery rocket launcher t35 especially developed for this purpose first we're giving you an idea of the component parts and assembly of the charge the launcher is a 4T tube with removable legs and contains the rocket and electric firing device it is cited at close ranges in Jungle or heavily wooded terrain the best accuracy was obtained at ranges 60 yard and Below setting up in the field is accomplished as Illustrated firing is done electrically by remote control returning to the damage caused by Rockets thus fired a muzzle velocity of over 800 ft per second gave penetrations through 6 ft of Earth and three tiers of logs permitting delay functioning of the fuse and the 5lb bursting charge within the Pill Box in brief too much cannot be said for the performance of the 4.5 in rocket when fired in this case from the artillery rocket launcher t35 regarding the results of mortar fire modifications to some were found advantageous and development of New Motors was initiated high angle fire of the m49 A2 shell from the 60mm morar M2 was ineffective however a base firing mechanism was developed the 60mm mort t18 E6 permitting hand firing down to the horizontal this permitted direct fire at low angles against embrasures as with the 60 mm motor shell also the lightweight m43 A1 projectile fired from the standard 81 mm morar M1 lacked penetrative power and has only super quick fusing more effective was the 10 lb m56 shell with m53 delay fusees another weapon whose fire caused considerable damage to the pill boxes was the 4.2 in chemical motar firing both both 24lb M3 high explosive and 32 lb M4 shells the only limitations were the base plate weight of 150 lb and the somewhat long minimum range of 600 yards required for proper ammunition function damaging direct fire into the Embers was accomplished by a high explosive m63 shell fired from the 37 mm gun to provide a lightweight Carriage so that the complete unit could be broken down into man packed loads the 37 mm gun t32 firing from a converted 50 caliber machine gun tripod was developed the 75mm pack howitz are also contributed to the overall reduction of the type fortifications when firing its M48 high explosive shell with delay fuse setting this weapon's value for Jungle fighting is enhanced by its being capable of animal pack load transport easy penetration of the replica pill boxes was accomplished by the 33 lb high explosive I shell M1 with delay fuse setting fired from the 105 mm Howitzer on either the M3 or M2 carriage in conclusion in these tests the following weapons and ammunition were found to be most effective in destroying Japanese type killboxes and defending Personnel the 81 mm mortar firing the m56 shell the 4.2 in chemical morar firing the M3 shell the 4.5 in rocket launcher t35 firing the rocket M8 and the 105 mm howitzers firing M1 shell all these high explosive shells should be fired with delay [Music] fusing
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