“This film is restricted.” That warning greets viewers at the start of this World War II-era, 27-minute Official Training Film from the War Department. Titled “The Anti-Tank Rocket M6,” this black-and-white picture is a bazooka-training film introduced by an instrumental version of “Buckle Down, Winsocki” — a song first heard in the 1943 musical “Best Foot Forward.”
The film begins with “Methods of Use,” as introduced at mark 00:32 as German tanks are shown rolling along. Out comes the M1 rocket launcher, “a new weapon generally called the bazooka” at mark 01:08, “which plays a song of death for the enemy.” (The bazooka was first used in WWII in late 1942).
The film explains that a bazooka team consists of two soldiers: one carrying the launcher and another carrying ammunition bags with three rounds each. At mark 01:51. the viewers learns of the different types of ammunition, including the M7 “practice” rocket and the deadly M6 high-explosive rocket. “It’s simple enough — it’s got a high-explosive head,” the narrator says at mark 02:22, going on to further explain the rocket’s make-up. At mark 03:35, the training film explains the procedure a bazooka team goes through on the practice range, including checking the electrical connection of the trigger and the battery charge. Audiences are cautioned as the bazooka’s back blast of flame at mark 05:33, as a sheet is easily torn from its wooden frame during a practice exercise. “Rule number 1: keep away from the rear of the launcher,” the viewer is reminded.
At mark 05:50, the narrator offers precise details to effectively use the four firing positions of a bazooka: standing, prone, sitting, and kneeling, as well as the role of the loader in each instance. Siting and aiming techniques are covered beginning at mark 09:45, starting with range estimation. While the M6 rocket is said to be extremely accurate within 100 yards, it becomes less accurate at ranges over 300 yards. Bazooka sites and their proper use are covered starting at mark 10:45, with a discussion of moving targets and estimating leads beginning at mark 12:00. Trigger manipulation follows starting at mark 13:50, with a smooth, steady motion recommended. At mark 15:00, the film tackles some of the inherent problems of using the weapon at night. Although there is no muzzle flash, the back blast can easily give away the soldier’s position. As a result, the film encourages finding a way to block the enemy’s view without obstructing the rear blast.
“Tank busting isn’t the only use for this weapon. It’s a jack of all work. You can use it as an anti-tank mine,” the narrator continues at mark 15:24 before offering specific details of such a use of an M6 rocket, from priming it to camouflage. “The tank will never know what hit it.”
The film also offers viewers detailed explanations as to what happens when a rocket rips through a tank, beginning at mark 19:25. A 1-inch diameter hole, blown through a steel plate, drives home the message, with cut-out figures meant to represent enemy soldiers filled with more than 200 holes “caused by red hot steel.”
“This war moves fast. The Germans and Italians found that out in Africa,” a captain tells the camera at mark 20:30. “We picked up some things, too. Even while this picture was being filmed, changes were being made to bazooka and to the rocket. Changes based on the experience of the men who fired them overseas. In every case, the changes make your weapon simpler and more effective.” Among those changes is a removal of a contact box in the launcher which was replaced with spring contacts, and the addition of a sling for easier carrying. Front handgrips were also removed from some launchers. The M6 A-1 rocket was also tweaked during the course of the war, and replaced with a streamlined model identified as the M7 A-1. The method of loading was also streamlined, as explained beginning at mark 23:05. The film concludes with an eerie warning at mark 26:32: “The bazooka with these improvements is easier for you to handle and deadlier for the enemy to handle. Learn and remember what you’ve seen in this film. You’re going to be over there yourself.”
