Page 21 - History of War - Issue 10-14

EVOLUTION OF GRENADES

TheMillsbombwascreatedbythe as they required mounting WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR
Britishin1915andwasthefirst specialist devices to your rifl e, GRENADES IN COMBAT?
reliable mass-produced grenade.
therefore making it unusable to It is diffi cult as a historian to
defend yourself if attacked at speculate on future trends,
correct position, remove the close range. Specialist portable but reviewing the odd arms
safety pin, pull back the grenade launchers were developed industry blog and news story
safety pin collar, insert a to overcome this problem – one of reveals trends towards smarter,
special blank round into the fi rst was the US M79 grenade safer grenade systems. Under-
the rifl e, then fi re. Cup launcher, fi rst used in 1961. barrel grenade launchers
rifle grenades were also have become lightweight and
developed, in which the DO GRENADES STILL PLAY AS BIG ROLE IN commonplace, so hand-thrown
grenade sat in a cup mounted MODERN WARFARE AS THEY DID IN THE grenades are probably likely
on the end of the rifl e. WORLD WARS? to be less commonly required.
The grenade continues to play an Laser rangefi nders for improved
HOWDIDTHE DEVELOPMENT OF important role in modern warfare. accuracy, grenades that can be
GRENADESPROGRESS IN THE AFTERMATH Not only is it still useful for clearing launched armed but not triggered,
OFWORLDWAR II? fortifi ed positions, but particularly and then remotely triggered when
Even after WWII, the Mills bomb in urban combat, where there are desired, or grenades that can pass
was still the British Army’s many places enemy can take cover through walls before exploding on
grenade of choice, although after and launch surprise attacks, they the other side are some of the
WWII grenades that contained come in very useful for area and ideas I have heard bandied about.
segmented coiled wire in smooth room clearance. Any transition or
metal casings started to be movement between different hard The National Army Museum
developed – these were smooth points usually involves clearing the explores the impact of the British
on the outside, making them area with a grenade fi rst. Things Army on the story of Britain,
slightly more aerodynamic, but like fl ash bangs and stun grenades Europe and the World. A major
the internal coil performed the offer non-lethal alternatives for transformation, supported by the
WHAT WAS THE ROLE OF A GRENADIER IN same fragmentation effect upon stunning enemy combatants when, Heritage Lottery Fund means the
THIS PERIOD? detonation. The Mills bomb for example, capture is desirable, Museum site is currently closed
Although their origins, and hence remained in use until 1972, when or if hostages might be risked by a until 2016. In the meantime, check
their name, is in being specialist the L2 Series had taken over. fragmentation device. out www.nam.ac.uk.
troops that threw grenades, by Both Britain and the US also
the First World War the grenadiers introduced white phosphorus
were actually normal infantry and incendiary grenades during “THE FIRST CATAPULTS SAW GRENADES
fought the same way as other WWII. The main post-war
infantry regiments. Specialist developments really have been the SUDDENLY REACHING HQS WELL BEHIND
grenade throwers were employed, refi nement of specialist grenades
but were called bombers. Bombing such as concussion grenades, THE FRONT LINE.”
parties were formed that even stun grenades, sting grenades
had sub-specialist jobs. The and smoke grenades. Grenades
British bombing party usually are still used today in most of
The Leach Trench
had nine or ten men, consisting the world’s wars – they remain
Catapult was used
of an offi cer and NCO or just an relatively cheap to produce and frequently on the
NCO, two throwers, two bomb provide an easy, lightweight, Western Front in
carriers to keep grenades going portable, area-effect weapon for the First World War
and could propel a
to the throwers and two bayonet anti-personnel purposes.
grenade up to 180
men, to ensure no one got too metres (590 feet).
close to the throwers. They would WHEN WERE THE FIRST GRENADE LAUNCHERS
also have two back-ups in case DEVELOPED?
of injury or in case the throwers Grenade launchers are actually
grew tired. These parties would not modern weapons at all! The
be involved in trench raiding or fi rst ones were ‘hand mortars’
attacking trenches or other hard developed in the 17th Century that
points such as pill boxes and used a fl intlock-style mechanism
machine gun nests. Despite the to combust a charge, propelling
general perception that machine early forms of grenades, which
guns caused devastation and would then also explode. Highly
were diffi cult to silence, by 1917, dangerous! We then fast-forward
infantry using fi re-and-manoeuvre to WWI, and things like the Leach
tactics, and bombing parties were Trench Catapult and Sauterelle,
able to destroy fortifi ed positions which were essentially grenade
with relatively light casualties. catapults using elastic tension to
fl ing grenades further than they
WHAT WAS THE FIRST RIFLE TO SUCCESSFULLY could be thrown by hand, then of
ATTACH A GRENADE TO IT? course the rifl e grenades already
The fi rst rifl e grenade was the discussed. These were highly
Hale’s rifl e grenade. It was effective – the fi rst catapults saw
invented by Marten Hale in 1915 grenades suddenly reaching HQs
and utilised his original No 3 well behind the front line and
grenade design. To fi re the No giving enemy offi cers a sudden
3, the user must fi t the grenade surprise when they had thought
into the rifl e, insert the detonator, they were a safe distance back.
lay the rifl e on the ground in the Rifl e grenades were not ideal,

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