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How was the grenade used in ww1?
In World War I, hand grenades were also known as “hand bombs.” The general philosophy for their use in the fighting armies was that grenades could kill the enemy underground or behind cover. Offensive grenades used concussion, or shock-waves, to wound, while defensive grenades exploded, scattering shell fragments.
How do German stick grenades work?
The original M15 grenade suffered from a design issue. The pull cord which activated the grenade’s fuse protruded from the base and could get caught in debris or clutter on the battlefields of World War I, causing the fuse to be ignited, and the grenade to explode on the belt of an unaware infantryman.
What was the grenade used for in ww2?
“Like the tank, the grenade was developed to break down defenses in close-combat warfare. Grenades were first used in the 15th century, and, when reliable, must have been devastating against a lightly armored enemy. The Germans were well armed with grenades, but the Allies had to improvise.
Why were German grenades called potato mashers?
The Stielhandgranate was the quintessential hand grenade of the German Army in both World War 1 and World War 2. While generally referred to as a “stick grenade”, the type was also given the nickname of “Potato Masher” by the Allies due to its shape rather resembling the kitchen utensil.
When were grenades first used in ww1?
1914
These simple, hand-thrown weapons had been invented hundreds of years before, but had not been widely used since the Napoleonic era. Reinvented by the requirements of trench warfare, the first grenades in 1914 were often hand-made, consisting of old cans filled with nails and bits of metal and packed with gunpowder.
When was the grenade first used?
Grenades first came into widespread military use in Europe in the 16th century. The first grenades were hollow iron balls filled with gunpowder and ignited by a slow burning fuse rolled in dampened gunpowder and dried.
What is the advantage of stick grenade?
The stick grenade is easily held and thrown. It’s shape also prevents rolling on the ground, a distinct advantage on sloped terrain. It also can be easily bundled together with other stick grenades making a larger weapon. On the negative side, it is bulky and cannot be thrown as far as an “egg” shaped hand grenade.
When were stick grenades invented?
The stick grenade was introduced in 1915 and the design developed throughout the war. A friction igniter was used; this method was uncommon in other countries but widely used for German grenades.
Were stun grenades used in ww2?
In this manner the “all ways” action impact fuze was armed in flight and the grenade exploded on impact; and like the Gammon grenade, which used the same fuze design, it was withdrawn from service soon after the Second World War ended….No. 69 grenade.
| British No. 69 | |
|---|---|
| Filling weight | 92 g (3.2 oz) |
| Detonation mechanism | Impact |
Did they use grenades in ww2?
More than 50,000,000 fragmentation grenades alone were manufactured by the United States for use in World War II. The grenades most commonly used in wartime are explosive grenades, which usually consist of a core of TNT or some other high explosive encased in an iron jacket or container.
Why don’t we use stick grenades anymore?
The stick grenade is a very easy way to increase rang of a hand throw. The problem with them is that they are too bulky and it ads extra weight to a already heavy gear. It was just to dangerous.
Who first used the grenades in ww1?
The British army started the war with only a few basic grenades, mainly used by Royal Engineers. Many British soldiers resorted to making homemade bombs, filling jam tins with scrap metal and explosives. In 1915, this changed. The German army mass-produced a stick grenade which could be easily hurled out of a trench.
What is a 39 Eihandgranate?
The Model 39 Eihandgranate (or Eierhandgranate, “egg hand grenade”) was a German hand grenade introduced in 1939 and produced until the end of World War II. The Eihandgranate used the same fuse assembly (the BZE 39) as the Model 43 Stielhandgranate (“Stick Grenade”), which was screwed into the top of the sheet-metal body.
How did grenades work in WW2?
When the door was breached by opposing troops the grenade would detonate right next to the enemy. German soldiers were easily confused with grenades that had blue color fuse caps because they could have had a 4.5 second delay or zero second delay.
What does ehandgranate stand for?
The Model 39 Eihandgranate (or Eierhandgranate, “egg hand grenade”) was a German hand grenade introduced in 1939 and produced until the end of World War II.
What does Eih 39 stand for?
The Model 39 “Eihandgranate”, M39 or Eierhandgranate 39 (“egg hand grenade”) was a German fragmentation hand grenade introduced in 1939 and produced until the end of World War II.