Marine Corps 120mm mortar cook off inside tube

SGT (Join to see), I was an 11C for a few months over three years. That never happened to us, but we did have a short round one time from a 4.2". Everyone watched it pop out of the tube and lazily float about 100 yards downrange. I don't guess it ever armed, because it didn't go off, but everyone was running for cover like crazy! Here's a photo of me hanging rounds (assistant gunner) down the tube of the M30, 4.2" mortar during the Weapons NCO Supervisor Candidate Special Forces Course, AUG70. It's the only photo I have left of me on a mortar.

This is probably they they design the fuzes NOT to arm unless they've been shot and gone a certain distance, usually between 60 and 200 meters depending on fuze. I'd scare me a bit, but I've never had it happen. Did see the battalion gunner slam a 60 muzzle first into the ground with a stuck round in it, and that did worry a few guys.

Holy crap! I might have pooped myself.