The bazooka is a portable weapon.
The notion of bazooka has its etymological origin in the English word bazooka . The term refers to a portable weapon that allows the launching of grenades .
A grenade is a metal projectile with a hollow structure that has an explosive . The bazooka, specifically, is a grenade launcher : a device that allows this type of projectile to be fired.
Origins of the bazooka
The American physicist and engineer Robert Goddard ( 1882 – 1945 ) is considered the father of the bazooka. This expert in rocket propulsion was the one who thought about the development of an infantry weapon with a tubular design for launching projectiles.
Goddard devised his weapon in the context of World War I. However, various problems delayed the progress of the project. Only in the '40s was the initiative resumed to solve a difficulty: how to launch heavy grenades.
After multiple investigations and tests, the weapon known as the bazooka emerged. Its name is due to the weapon's resemblance to an instrument invented by Bob Burns ( 1890 - 1956 ) that was called, precisely, a bazooka.
The use of bazookas was important in World War II.
Its use
As we already indicated, the bazooka is a grenade launcher. In any case, due to its characteristics , it is common to refer to it as a rocket launcher or a missile launcher , although there are specific differences between all of these elements.
Bazookas are classified as anti-tank or anti-tank weapons . This is because they aim at the neutralization or destruction of combat vehicles that are protected by armor .
The US military implemented the use of bazookas in World War II . From weapons captured in the midst of the conflict, the Germans created their own version of the weapon, called the Panzerschreck .
After World War II , the bazooka was important in other war conflicts. Its use was key in the Korean War and the Vietnam War , for example .
Other types of bazookas
Just as the grenade launcher got its name from the instrument designed by Burns , various objects are mentioned as bazookas because of their resemblance to the weapon. In this sense we can talk about ball launching bazookas .
These devices are used in training for certain sports , such as tennis or baseball . The ball launcher bazooka can also be used as a toy weapon .
The talking bazooka or speaker , meanwhile, is a device that is used to emit sound from the transformation of electric current. These bazookas are portable, equipped with rechargeable batteries and have a USB and Bluetooth connection.
The correct writing
It is interesting to mention that bazooka is a term included in the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ). Therefore, in our language , the use of English bazooka is discouraged.
The adaptations bazooka and bazoca , meanwhile, are not appropriate. On the other hand, the RAE indicates that the gender of bazooka is feminine (la bazooka), although in many cases the notion appears in masculine (el bazooka).
Expressions such as “I gave my son a toy bazooka” , “I was training with a bazooka” , “Our army does not have bazookas” and “Play music on the bazooka” , in this way, are incorrect.