Rifle Grenade Discharger - Japanese

This 52mm rifle grenade discharger cup used during the Second World War fitted over the muzzle of a standard 6.5mm Ariska rifle. A standard 50mm diameter fragmentation grenade was muzzle-loaded and the pin removed. At the battle of Kohima in 1944, Brigadier Theobalds asked Sergeant Fred Hazell of D Company, 2nd Norfolks, how things were going. Hazell told him it was quiet apart from grenades. 'I wouldn't stand there if I was you! In fact there's a grenade coming now!' The Japanese were firing grenades which came up quite slowly and it was heading our way. The grenade hit the top of a tree stump and bounced back into the Brigadier's trench. He died of wounds. Colonel Scott, 2nd Norfolks, became temporary commander of the 4th Brigade.