Portable anti-tank rocket launcher (bazooka)
Lanzacohetes antitanque portátil (bazuca)
- Date
- 1942 · confidence high
- Place
- Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, United States
- Credited to
- Edward Uhl and Leslie Skinner (US Army)
- Field
- Conflict
What it is
An open tube operable by one soldier that launches a shaped-charge rocket able to pierce armour without recoil. The M1 Bazooka entered US Army service in 1942 and was copied by Germany (Panzerschreck).
Dr. Robert Goddard's 1918 rocket launcher is mentioned as a precursor; the name comes from comedian Bob Burns' musical instrument.
What it led to
- RPG and LAW anti-tank launchers
- anti-armour infantry
- light infantry support weapons