Purpose of holes drilled in lower band of No.4 Mk.1

[spinecracker]

Springfield Sporters has the Indian grenade launching sights and the modified lower bands. I have emailed them about the grenade launcher itself.

[Peter Laidler]

I can see the point that you (and the Indians) are making but the reason why we discontinued trials with actual grenade (as opposed to ENERGA) launching was because the 2" mortar was relegated (?) to the section and effectively became what we called 'section artillery'. especially when HE bombs were available. Alas, they weren't available after 1957ish. After that it was just white phos (to '61or so I believe), smoke and parachute flare.

[spinecracker]

This is a photo I found on another forum:

[breakeyp]

I can see the point that you (and the Indians) are making but the reason why we discontinued trials with actual grenade (as opposed to ENERGA) launching was because the 2" mortar was relegated (?) to the section and effectively became what we called 'section artillery'. especially when HE bombs were available. Alas, they weren't available after 1957ish. After that it was just white phos (to '61or so I believe), smoke and parachute flare.

I am sure the 2 inch mortar was an improvement over the rifle grenade launcher system. I see the downside being that the two inch tube and accessories was another item that had to be carried along with personal weapons. The Indians had it all in one package.

[spinecracker]

I know practically nothing about the logistics of section tactics and weapons deployment, but I have had some experience traipsing around the Sierra Nevada mountain range that is in my backyard, which gives me a reasonable appreciation of some of the mountainuous terrain the Indian army has to travel over from time to time. I can understand why they would want to keep using a rifle grenade launcher instead of dragging a 2" mortar all over the place - extra weight can really slow you down, and even kill you if you are not careful. I know what I would prefer to lug around lol.