Description
The Tree Suspension Device M18 for smoke grenades is designed to provide a quick and simplified means for suspending standard burning-type smoke hand grenades from trees and foliage to permit emission of smoke above forests and foliage, where it is more readily visible to air observers. It must be used with the Chemical Grenade Projection Adapter M2 assembled to any of the following hand grenades: AN-M8, M16, or M18.
The device has a small cardboard tube into which is loosely packed about a ten-foot length of heavy rayon line. Attached to each end of this line arc two light metal cables, one for fastening to the body of the grenade and the other for fastening to the stabilizer of the Adapter M2. It also has a heavier metal setback ring to replace the setback band issued with the chemical grenade projection adapter. This heavier setback ring retains the grenade safety lever in a safe position after removal of the fuze safety pin, releases the safety lever by setback action upon being fired, and separates the grenade from the adapter by setback action against the clips of the adapter, upon being fired.
The device is assembled for use by slipping the double loop of cable over the grenade body under the safety lever. The setback ring is slipped over the bottom of the grenade so that it holds the safety lever in place, and the setback band issued with the grenade is discarded. The grenade is assembled to the adapter, and the single loop of cable is slipped over the adapter fins and secured to the stabilizer tube. The adhesive tape is removed from the cardboard tube. The rifle or carbine is prepared for firing in the usual manner, using positions 3 or 4, at an angle of elevation of 50° or 70° and, normally with the butt of the gun supported by soft earth or other resilient material to avoid the possibility of cracking the stock.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
Adapter, Grenade Projection, M2
Source(s)
OP 1664, Volume 2 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
