Captured Boys AT Rifle used by Japanese

Site Issues 2007 Archive Room
#1

Hi,
I I look for any information about Mk.1 „Boys” kal. 13,97mm AT Rifles captured by IJA (especially in Singapore where Japanese captured 248 pieces AT rifles this type), and later used by in 1945 by few IJA units.

I know:

  • among ammunitions captured by IJA at Singapore, it was also 360,494 - .55-cal. AT rifle ball.

  • from among 248 pieces AT rifles it will be 171 classified as superior, 45 – medium demage and 20 – inferior demage.
    Next 12 pieces AT rifles delivered at mid 1942 to Japanese units.

  • from my friend at Japan, I know: Japanese 5th Guards Infantry Regiment on Sumatra formed at 1945 year AT Rifle unit using
    captured Boys AT Rifle.

I have some photos captured Boys AT rifles used by Indian Nationalist Army (further INA) and one poor photo taken by Japanese after fall Singapore.
I know, from this difficult - to find more pictures Japanese Boys AT Rifle. But, someone can there is picture this type weapon used by at INA, Chinese “Puppet” Governments Armies, Burmese or Indonesian armies.

If someone knows, or it possesses also interest photos or informations about Boys AT rifles used by durning Malayan or Burma Campaign 1942 - I will be obliged for information.
Maybe someone knows, how many pieces had British Army in 1941 at Malaya, or in 1942 at Burma?
I know only not confirmed data.

If you anyone knows more on this subject, I will be very grateful for help and information.

Regards,
jabu

P.S.

  1. Photo: Boys At rifle captured by at Singapore
  2. Photo: Indian AT rifles shhoter from INA
  3. Photo: this is picture is probably the Subhas Brigade composed by of Sikhs, Jats and Dogras - to be visible: Lewis LMGs (36 pieces) from Indian Nationalist Army and Vickers HMGs and probably 9 pieces AT Rifles Boys.

Boys captured by at Singapore.jpg
Boys captured by at Singapore.jpg922×440 133 KB

Boys used by INA.jpg
Boys used by INA.jpg485×868 121 KB

HMG Vickers, LMG Lewis and AT rifle BOys at INA.jpg
HMG Vickers, LMG Lewis and AT rifle BOys at INA.jpg692×995 200 KB

#2

Good luck with your search, I am moving this to the japanese Military.

#3

I think Tom! is an Imperial Japanese military aficionado. I think he might have some useful info for you…

I would be interested in their use and success rates against a Sherman tanks…

#4

The minimum side armor in the Sherman was 38mm, considering that the maximum armor penetrating power of the Boys was some like 22-23 mm at point blank range the success rates is nill…unles you hit a damage badly a track or some unprotected crewman.

#5

Hi!

Boys AT Rifle agains Sherman tank?
Mission Impossible…
even Tom Cruise would shoot not effectively. Maybe Chuck Norris…:cool:

regards,
jabu

#6

Did they have enough ammunition and were they used against the US in the Pacific?

#7

Hi,
probably so, but ammunition was not problem (probably). IJA they captured a lot of the .55-cal. ammunition.
Japanese captured by little pieces Boys AT Rifle. At Singapore approx. 250. How a lot of durning whole Malayan Campaign? One does not it is to know…
IJA had to them a lot of the ammunition.
Problem was in supply no-standardized weapon.
British 0.55in Boys AT Rifle used by IJA marked 十三?七粍対戦??.

Japanese no used this captured AT rifle against US tanks.I do not think.
Rather… If Boys AT Rifle it was used, was used by against British tanks. Maybe no against tank, against armored cars and military vehicle like Bren/Universal Carrier. Maybe against M3 Stuart Light Tank.

Boys AT rifle used by (probably) some units from Singapore garrison. Maybe 80th Independent Guard Battalion or 1st to 3rd Temporary Mixed Battalions from Singapore Defense Unit to equipped in ex-British AT rifles, because in Singapore and Rangoon the centre of storing will be this type weapons.
But Singapore Defense Unit no fight.

5th Guards Infantry Regiment on Sumatra own AT Rifle unit using
captured Boys AT Rifle. But this unit probably no fight before end of war.

451st Independent Infantry Battalion in Burma formed at Rangoon probably
had Boys AT Rifle. This battalion also had another British weapons: 2 x 2pdr AT Guns marked by at IJA ビッカース四十粍対戦?砲. During battle of Pegu
(April - May 1945) he supported him Artillery Unit from 105th Independent Mixed Brigade which had 6 x 25-pdr Fidel Gun (named at Japanese 二十五封?砲 - 25 Pondo Yaho). Durning Battle of Pegu 451st Battalion he destroyed certain amount British Medium Tanks Lee.

regards,
jabu

#8

Hi!

I thank you. I am new on forum. I do not know yet, as all be organized guided,

regards,
jabu

#9

Beyond Harassing fire,the Boys rifle would be no real threat to a Sherman, even at very close ranges. Damaging a propped open hatch, or some such might be possible,but little more. A very nice cartridge, and a well made rifle, but too little muscle for an M-4

#10

Hi,
AT Boys Rifle used by at Japanese - their job did not depend on destruction M4 Sherman or another Allied tank, because to make this they could not.

Shot from AT rifle he was to stop tank, on example by break caterpillar.

When it pretended to stop tank, they ran up to vehicle then another Japanese tank-hunters with co-operating from shooters using AT rifle. This tank-hunters they attacked tank using then various hand AT weapons: Type 99 explosive charge, Type 3 AT charge, Lunge Mine or different.

Idea was such: shooting from rifle - stop tank, to tank-hunter could this tank more easily attack, when tank stands.

Therefore AT teams from 5th Guards Infantry Regiment, be mixed: 2 soldiers armed AT rifle, another 2 soldiers armed hand AT grenades or charges.

Regards,
jabu