World War II Manual on Weapons for Jungle Warfare (1944)

World War II: Manual on Weapons for Jungle Warfare (1944)

This 155-page manual contains text, illustrations and photographs. The publication was created by the War Department, War Department General Staff, Organization and Training Division G-3, and published on June 21, 1944.

The forward of this document says, "Operations against the Japanese in the Pacific Theaters have demonstrated the urgent need for methods of destroying or dispersing their infantry employed in the jungle without the delays and difficulties now encountered."

Abstract: In this book are listed only a few of the many standard items of equipment now being used or considered suitable for jungle warfare. It is assumed that such items as standard artillery and small arms, rifle and chemical grenades, standard smoke signals, demolition kits, bombs and communications equipment are known to the theaters. It is realized that there is no substitute for artillery in providing fire power and considerable effort is being devoted to the development of satisfactory track laying prime movers to tow these pieces through the jungle. Basically, the commercial type slow speed tractor has been utilized, and is being provided with wider tracks, special grousers, pintles and lunettes, front mounted winches and special stowage arrangements to convert them into a military prime mover. Extensive development has been undertaken to provide mortars with increased fire power. These mortars should provide necessary fire power during initial landings when conventional artillery is not available and should offer considerably more effectiveness in overcoming prepared Japanese positions than the existing mortars of smaller calibers. The illustrations reproduced in this volume are the latest available at the time of going to press. In most instances they are photographs of items under development which may differ considerably from the models finally accepted for production.