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.
What is the best hand grenade?
The M67 grenade is a fragmentation hand grenade used by the United States military….M67 grenade.
| M67 | |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 2.5 in (64 mm) |
| Filling | Composition B |
| Filling weight | 6.5 oz (180 g) |
| Detonation mechanism | Pyrotechnic delay M213 fuze (4–5.5 seconds) |
Why did the military stop using pineapple grenades?
“Pineapple” grenades passed from service because they were replaced by much better grenades. The “pineapple” shape was designed for the cast iron body to fragment into relatively uniform pieces, to cause damage and mayhem to any enemy that was on the receiving end.
What was the best grenade in ww2?
It’s easy to argue than the Americans had the best grenades of the war, but one grenade I’d like to point people’s attention to is the German M39 “Eihandgranate.” From what I’ve read, there was nothing wrong with this grenade and it was at least comparable to the Mk.
Why are stick grenades no longer used?
The choice between various grenade body shapes with or without a stick attached mostly comes down to what each country thinks its soldiers will be best able to throw with sufficient distance and accuracy and whether the grenade uses a delay fuse or an impact fuse.
What kind of grenades were used in ww2?
The Mk II A-1 fragmentation hand grenade, or “pineapple.” American soldiers used many types of hand grenades during World War II, but the primary grenade used by American soldiers in World War II was the Mk-II A-1 defensive fragmentation grenade, sometimes referred to as a “pineapple” due to its shape.
What grenades do Navy SEALs use?
The M67 hand grenade is one of the simplest and yet most lethal weapons used by Navy SEALs.
What grenade Does Russia use?
It is based on the French F1 grenade and contains a 60-gram explosive charge (TNT). The total weight of the grenade with the fuze is about 600 grams. Due to its shape and its yellow-green color, it is nicknamed the limonka (fem. “lemon”)….F-1 grenade (Russia)
| F-1 | |
|---|---|
| Used by | Russian Empire, Soviet Union, Brazil, Cuba, China |
Why did German grenades have handles?
The Germans valued distance and explosive power over practicality. They got this extra distance by using “stick” grenades, or the grenades with long handles which was used for leverage.
What is the blast radius of a pineapple grenade?
The fragmentation hand grenade has a lethal radius of 5 meters and can produce casualties up to 15 meters, dispersing fragments as far away as 230 meters.
What is a pineapple grenade?
The fragmentation hand grenade was used by the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. Commonly known as a “pineapple” grenade, because of its shape and structure, the MK2 has grooves in its cast-iron shell to aid in gripping the grenade – which give it the appearance of a pineapple fruit.
What is a potato masher grenade?
The Stielhandgranate (German for “stick hand grenade”) was a German hand grenade distinguished by its wooden handle. Its distinctive appearance led to it being called a “stick grenade”, or “potato masher” in British Army slang, and it remains one of the most easily recognized infantry weapons of the 20th century.
The German “potato masher” hand grenade of World War Two fame is easily identifiable by its grey cylindrical head and wooden handle, though it was originally developed during the First World War.
What kind of grenade did the Wehrmacht use?
Cross-section of the later Model 1924 Stielhandgranate (the standard-issue grenade of the Wehrmacht) with unique steel rod-based fusing mechanism. (Translated from Original) The Stielhandgranate (German for “stick hand grenade”) was a German hand grenade distinguished by its wooden handle.
What happened to the original M15 grenade?
The original M15 grenade suffered from an unfortunate 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 is the difference between grenade bundle and Stielhandgranate?
The grenade bundle would also be significantly heavier, and thus harder to throw. The Stielhandgranate was copied by Japan, China, and Vietnam, and was used in various conflicts worldwide, though foreign copies were often less reliable or less powerful than their German parent grenade.