Trooper's Cannon

WEAPONS

Infighting foot soldiers have found the rifle grenade a handy battle tool. One rifle company in Sicily stopped six enemy tanks with these iron pineapples. In the South Pacific, rifle grenades (used mainly against enemy positions) neatly filled the range between the hand grenade and the 60-mm. mortar. Previously fired only from the old Springfield, the rifle grenade has now been fitted for firing with the Garand and the carbine.

Unlike the better-known bazooka (TIME, May 3) which carries its own propellant like the rocket it is, the rifle grenade is fired by a special blank cartridge. A sheet-metal cylinder filled with high explosive, the grenade slips over a launcher clamped to the barrel. A finned tail keeps it straight in the air, increasing range (now 75 yd.) and accuracy.

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