Private Ryan Scene

[BreakingBad]

There is a scene in Private Ryan where they take the 60-mm mortar shell and strike the tail against a surface to arm it, then throw it like a grenade.

Anyone know if that is accurate, or just Hollywood.  Could/can mortar shells be used like that?

[ACE]

It was on a mission in callof duty aswell.  It must be real!

[GScholz]

Yes it would work, and did work on several occasions.

Cpl. Kelly won a MoH for it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_E._Kelly

The M52 Fuse is bore safe. This is accomplished by the assembling of the detonator into a slider which in the unarmed position holds the detonator out of alignment with the firing pin and the tetryl lead charge. Arming of the slider within the bore of the weapon is prevented by the safety pin, the head of which bears against the bore and retains the slider in the unarmed position. To prevent arming of the set-back pin, which holds the safety pin in position, a cotter pin (safety wire in later manufacture) is utilized.

Function. This fuse is armed in the same manner as the M45. The cotter pin or safety wire is removed to free the set-back pin. The shell is dropped down the bore of the weapon. The force of set-back resulting from ignition of the propelling charge causes the set-back pin to move rearward against its spring. This frees the safety pin. The safety pin, due to the action of its spring, is forced out of the fuse until its head comes in contact with the bore of-the mortar. After emerging from the mortar, the safety pin is completely ejected by its spring from the fuse. The slider is now free, and due to the action of the slider spring, is forced into the armed position, thereby bringing the detonator in direct alignment with the explosive train. The slider also serves to close the hole left by the safety pin, so as to prevent the entrance of mud or dirt into the slider cavity which might interfere with the fuse functioning. The slider is locked in the armed position by a slider lock which is forced into a recess in the slider by a slider lock spring.

Upon impact with the target, the striker is forced inward against its spring bringing the firing pin into the detonator charge of priming mixture, lead azide, and tetryl. The wave produced functions the lead charge of tetryl which in turn detonates the booster of tetryl. The booster charge amplifies the wave and sends it to the shell filler.

[oakranger]

There is a scene in Private Ryan where they take the 60-mm mortar shell and strike the tail against a surface to arm it, then throw it like a grenade.

Anyone know if that is accurate, or just Hollywood.  Could/can mortar shells be used like that?

Do you know how a mortar shell is launch from the tube? That should answer your question.

[BreakingBad]

Never seen one fired, but I gather it drops down the tube and hits a firing pin at the bottom, that activates a primer in the shell, that ignites the propellent.

What confuses me is first, if you are just hitting the tail against a flat surface, how would that activate the primer.  And if the primer goes off, wouldn't that activate the propellent.

In other words, if slapping it down activated the primer, wouldn't it blast out of the persons hand when the propellent was ignited.

Must be that slapping it down somehow arms the fuse for the explosive and not the propellent.

[GScholz]

I believe I quoted how the fuse worked...

[Slash27]

I believe I quoted how the fuse worked...

Hey, you're back.


 

[MarineUS]

Holy geez. This guy is your perfect example of military personnel.
Not bad for a soldier. Hehe, just breakin' balls.

"Kelly's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

    For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 13 September 1943, near Altavilla, Italy, Cpl. Kelly voluntarily joined a patrol which located and neutralized enemy machine gun positions. After this hazardous duty he volunteered to establish contact with a battalion of U.S. infantry which was believed to be located on Hill 315, a mile distant. He traveled over a route commanded by enemy observation and under sniper, mortar, and artillery fire; and later he returned with the correct information that the enemy occupied Hill 315 in organized positions. Immediately thereafter Cpl. Kelly, again a volunteer patrol member, assisted materially in the destruction of 2 enemy machinegun nests under conditions requiring great skill and courage. Having effectively fired his weapon until all the ammunition was exhausted, he secured permission to obtain more at an ammunition dump. Arriving at the dump, which was located near a storehouse on the extreme flank of his regiment's position, Cpl. Kelly found that the Germans were attacking ferociously at this point. He obtained his ammunition and was given the mission of protecting the rear of the storehouse. He held his position throughout the night. The following morning the enemy attack was resumed. Cpl. Kelly took a position at an open window of the storehouse. One machine gunner had been killed at this position and several other soldiers wounded. Cpl. Kelly delivered continuous aimed and effective fire upon the enemy with his automatic rifle until the weapon locked from overheating. Finding another automatic rifle, he again directed effective fire upon the enemy until this weapon also locked. At this critical point, with the enemy threatening to overrun the position, Cpl. Kelly picked up 60mm. mortar shells, pulled the safety pins, and used the shells as grenades, killing at least 5 of the enemy. When it became imperative that the house be evacuated, Cpl. Kelly, despite his sergeant's injunctions, volunteered to hold the position until the remainder of the detachment could withdraw. As the detachment moved out, Cpl. Kelly was observed deliberately loading and firing a rocket launcher from the window. He was successful in covering the withdrawal of the unit, and later in joining his own organization. Cpl. Kelly's fighting determination and intrepidity in battle exemplify the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces."

[GScholz]

Hey, you're back.


 

Indeed

[Shuffler]

Holy geez. This guy is your perfect example of military personnel.
Not bad for a soldier. Hehe, just breakin' balls.

"Kelly's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

    For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 13 September 1943, near Altavilla, Italy, Cpl. Kelly voluntarily joined a patrol which located and neutralized enemy machine gun positions. After this hazardous duty he volunteered to establish contact with a battalion of U.S. infantry which was believed to be located on Hill 315, a mile distant. He traveled over a route commanded by enemy observation and under sniper, mortar, and artillery fire; and later he returned with the correct information that the enemy occupied Hill 315 in organized positions. Immediately thereafter Cpl. Kelly, again a volunteer patrol member, assisted materially in the destruction of 2 enemy machinegun nests under conditions requiring great skill and courage. Having effectively fired his weapon until all the ammunition was exhausted, he secured permission to obtain more at an ammunition dump. Arriving at the dump, which was located near a storehouse on the extreme flank of his regiment's position, Cpl. Kelly found that the Germans were attacking ferociously at this point. He obtained his ammunition and was given the mission of protecting the rear of the storehouse. He held his position throughout the night. The following morning the enemy attack was resumed. Cpl. Kelly took a position at an open window of the storehouse. One machine gunner had been killed at this position and several other soldiers wounded. Cpl. Kelly delivered continuous aimed and effective fire upon the enemy with his automatic rifle until the weapon locked from overheating. Finding another automatic rifle, he again directed effective fire upon the enemy until this weapon also locked. At this critical point, with the enemy threatening to overrun the position, Cpl. Kelly picked up 60mm. mortar shells, pulled the safety pins, and used the shells as grenades, killing at least 5 of the enemy. When it became imperative that the house be evacuated, Cpl. Kelly, despite his sergeant's injunctions, volunteered to hold the position until the remainder of the detachment could withdraw. As the detachment moved out, Cpl. Kelly was observed deliberately loading and firing a rocket launcher from the window. He was successful in covering the withdrawal of the unit, and later in joining his own organization. Cpl. Kelly's fighting determination and intrepidity in battle exemplify the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces."

I read that story with great interest. <S> Kelly.

[nrshida]

Must be that slapping it down somehow arms the fuse for the explosive and not the propellent.

Yes.

[Selino631]

Do you know how a mortar shell is launch from the tube? That should answer your question.

+1 just about to say that myself

[M0nkey_Man]

[MarineUS]

Read up about his post-war life earlier today....makes me sad.
 

[Babalonian]

Hey, you're back.


 

He's been for a while.

The fuse, yes.  The propellant charge, not so much.