[whitesharkseeker]

Edokko, here's a challenging one for you! This appears to be a rocket/bomb of some sort that I found in Col. Nakagawa's first command cave on Peleliu. It was only about two feet long or so and very light (no charges/propellent inside). I know the Japanese had some sort of crude rocket launcher on Peleliu but this speciman appears too small. What the heck is it?

Thanks, Eric

 

[bones92]

Light and empty? Almost looks like some sort of delivery piece, perhaps for air dropping communication messages. Does the rear piece appear to have a cap that comes off?

But then, what do I know...

 

[whitesharkseeker]

Not sure about any caps...didn't check. Looks like a cap at rear. You made a good point...perhaps used for parchute flares or some other delivery device.

Thanks, Eric

 

[raym]

Did they use rockets there? I'm with bones, what do I know! Interesting piece though. Now I'll be scratching my head until someone comes up with the answer.
Thanks Eric! I didn't need that hair anyway.

 

[whitesharkseeker]

I believe rocket launchers (Japanese) made their debut on Peleliu. It is well-documented that occasional rockets fell on US lines (200mm). As one Marine eyewitness stated, "they (rocket) appeared to fall like a badly punted football, end-over-end". As I stated, the rocket-like contraption in the pic was very light weight. Come on Edokko, what is it?

Ha, ha...Eric

 

[Edokko]

Yipes ! this one truly escapes me, but it does look somewhat like a mini communications cylinder, especially if it's light and empty. Perhaps the body twists open to a cavity where messages could be placed in.
Yes, there were indeed rockets deployed by the IJA around 1944. They were called the Type4 Fun-shin-ho (rocket launchers), and various sizes included 12cm, 15cm, 20cm and 40cm etc, but I have not heard of a mini rocket.

 

[type-14]

Eric,
Sorry the delay in replying but have been on travel this past to Okinawa. Well here goes with my 2 cents worth on your find. It appears to me to possibly be one of the float flares that the Japanese used. They were hollow in construction and would float once dropped from aircraft. Most were a little shorter than 2 feet ranging from about 13 to 20 inches in length. Was there any yellow paint left on the body or was it all rusted away.

 

[lambo35]

Wow, that looks like a human where the "bomb" is laying across the upper chest with the charred remains of the head above.

Seriously, the device looks like a floating parachute flare, with the burning/glowing part between the tail fins

 

[finestkind]

They had a large mortar that I think launched from a tube up the tail.


Chuck