The Type 98 “ghost rocket” mortarThe 320 mm Type 98 mortar was a large Japanese Mortar
The Type 98 “ghost rocket” mortarThe 320 mm Type 98 mortar was a large Japanese Mortar that was used extensively by the during the Battle of Iwo Jima, nicknamed “ghost rockets” by US Marines because it was difficult to tell from where they were launched. Unlike most mortars, the large 675 lb shell was dropped into a barrel but instead fitted over the barrel, sort of similar to a rocket platform. The powerful shell could create craters up to 8 feet deep and 15 feet wide. However, because the shells didn’t really fragment upon detonation, they caused relatively few casualties. The Japanese really intended the mortars to be used as pyschological weapons, as the enormous shell made a terrifying noise known as “the Screaming Jesus” as they traveled through the air. The mortars were also big and heavy, and when placed could not be moved. Furthermore the mortar barrel tended to become unusable after five or six shots. Around 2 dozen were used at Bataan and another 2 dozen were used at Iwo Jima. They were also noted as being used at Okinawa. -- source link
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