What was the German potato masher?
It was a standard grenade for the German Empire during World War I, and Nazi Germany’s Wehrmacht during World War II. 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.
How did German potato masher grenade work?
Unlike the majority of hand grenade designs, the Stielhandgranate design was ignited by friction. Inside the hollow wooden handle, a steel rod was attached to a string. After the string was pulled, a shower of shower of sparks lit a fuse that burned for approximately 4.5 seconds before exploding.
What grenades did Germany use in ww1?
The Model 17 Eierhandgranate (German for “egg hand grenade”) is a small defensive and offensive hand grenade which was used by Germany during World War I. The average soldier could throw it 40 meters or farther. It was more portable than the heavier Kugelhandgranate and less awkward to handle than the stick grenade.
Why is it called a potato masher?
This extrusion tool forces cooked potato through small holes, resulting in rice-like pieces of potato (hence the name). Because air is incorporated into the potato as it’s pressed, this tool gives you the lightest mashed potatoes possible.
Why did German hand 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 type of grenades were used in ww2?
fragmentation
The Mk 2 grenade (initially known as the Mk II) is a fragmentation type anti-personnel hand grenade introduced by the U.S. armed forces in 1918. It was the standard issue anti-personnel grenade used during World War II, and also saw limited service in later conflicts, including the Korean War and Vietnam War.
Why did Germans make stick grenades?
The stick design also minimized the risk of the grenade rolling downhill back towards the thrower when used in hilly terrain or in urban areas. However, the additional length of the handle meant that fewer could be carried.”
What were grenades used for 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. They could also force the enemy into the open, providing targets for rifle and machine gun fire.
Who invented potato masher?
1887. The year that inventors Jacob Fitzgerald and William H. Silver were awarded a patent for a “potato-masher and fruit-crusher.” The device, which later came to be known as a “potato ricer,” works by crushing the potato through a sheet of small holes, akin to a garlic press.
What is the difference between a potato masher and ricer?
The equipment you use to mash your potatoes will have a big effect on their texture. Masher: Even with a good workout, some lumps are inevitable. A ricer provides the gentlest touch for the fluffiest mash. More aggressive than a ricer, a food mill will still produce fluffy results—and a super-smooth texture.
What is a potato masher grenade?
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.
Was the Stielhandgranate a fragmentation grenade?
The Stielhandgranate was not a fragmentation grenade in the same sense as American, British, or even Soviet grenades were. These Allied grenades had thick metal cases that shot out metal pieces when they exploded over a large area. These kinds of grenades were more useful in large, open areas like the outdoors, trenches, or open urban areas.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Stielhandgranate?
The Stielhandgranate had some advantages and disadvantages. Because of its odd and bulky shape, less grenades could be carried by each individual soldier. It also took more time to prime the grenade before throwing it.
What happened to production in Germany after 1945?
Production in Germany ceased after 1945. Caleb Larson holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy. He lives in Berlin and writes on U.S. and Russian foreign and defense policy, German politics, and culture.