U F 
 
 IC-NRLF 
 
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MAJOR E. A. SHERMAN, 
 
 CONFIDENTIAL 
 
 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 
 
 THE TRAINING AND EMPLOY- 
 MENT OF BOMBERS 
 
 ISSUED BY THE GENERAL STAFF 
 
 Reprinted from the Revised British Ediiioi) 
 of September, 1916 ' 
 
 EDITED AT THE ARMY WAR COLLEGE 
 WASHINGTON, D. C., 1917 
 
 WASHINGTON 
 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
 1917 
 
UP 
 
 .WAR DEPARTMENT. 
 
 Document No. 581. 
 
 Office of The Adjutant General. 
 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
 
 WASHINGTON, May 7, 1917. 
 
 The following instructions for the training and employment of 
 bombers are published for the information and guidance of all con- 
 cerned. 
 
 (2593173, A. G. O.) 
 
 BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OP WAR: 
 
 H. L. SCOTT, 
 Major General, Chief of Staf. 
 OFFICIAL : 
 
 H. P. McCAIN, 
 
 The Adjutant General. 
 
 (3) 
 
 64358 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 
 General principles 3 
 
 Organization 4 
 
 Training 6 
 
 Precautions against accidents during practice 14 
 
 Employment of bombers in the attack 18 
 
 Organization and execution of a bombing attack 19 
 
 Employment of bombers in an attack on a large scale across 
 
 the open 24 
 
 Equipment of bombers '. 26 
 
 Blocking trenches against a grenade attack 26 
 
 Supply of grenades in attack 32 
 
 Employment of bombers in the defense 35 
 
 Care and storage of grenades 37 
 
 Appendix I: 
 
 Suggestions for syllabus of training 39 
 
 Use of No. 23 grenade 44 
 
 Standard tests 45 
 
 Physical training for bombers 48 
 
 Method of using the rifle and bayonet when attacking 
 
 round a traverse 51 
 
 Appendix II. Grenade carriers 53 
 
 Appendix III. Description of British grenades 55 
 
 Appendix IV. Description of German grenades 67 
 
 Appendix V. Summary of instructions for supply of grenades 
 
 in attack 84 
 
 Appendix VI . German grenade tactics 87 
 
 Plate A. Blocking gate 100 
 
 Plates B to F. British grenades 102 
 
 Plates G to Q. German grenades Ill 
 
 Plates 1 to 10A. Methods of throwing grenades. 
 
 (5) 
 
THE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OF BOMBERS. 
 
 GENERAI, PRINCIPLES. 
 
 1. The nature of operations in the presort campaign has devel- 
 oped the employment of rifle and hand grenades both in attack and 
 defense to such an extent that the grenade has beqome one of the 
 principal weapons in trench warfare. 
 
 The grenade is essentially a weapon for trench warfare or for very 
 close fighting, and should rarely be used in the open, where rifle 
 fire is much more effective. 
 
 Every Infantry soldier and machine gunner must receive instruc- 
 tion in grenade throwing, and must at least know how to use the 
 Mills grenade, and have thrown a live one in practice. It is not 
 every man, however, who possesses the temperament or the qualifica- 
 tions necessary to make a really efficient bomber. 
 
 There should be, therefore, in every platoon at least one noncom- 
 missioned officer and eight men with a higher degree of efficiency 
 and training than the remainder. These men are available either 
 to work with the platoon or to provide a reserve of bombers for any 
 special object. Some battalions have in addition a platoon of bat- 
 talion bombers, trained and administered as a separate unit of the 
 battalion organization. 
 
 Bombers should be carefully selected; men fond of outdoor games 
 are the easiest to train. 
 
 The foregoing is applicable also to Cavalry, who should have 
 squads of expert bombers trained for use in the trenches. At least 
 one noncommissioned officer and four men per troop should be ex- 
 pert bombers. 
 
 2. The responsibility for giving all men an elementary but prac- 
 tical knowledge of the use of hand and rifle grenades rests with bat- 
 talion and company commanders. If possible, one officer per com- 
 pany should be specially trained in bombing work, and there should 
 be one noncommissioned officer per company selected to assist in 
 training and also to supervise the supply and storage of the grenades 
 in charge of the company, 
 
 (7) 
 
8 
 
 In each battalion there should be a specially selected subaltern 
 officer who will command the battalion bombing platoon, if there 
 is one, assist company commanders as required, and supervise the 
 supply and storage of grenades. 
 
 As a general principle, the responsibility for giving to a proportion 
 of men the advanced training necessary for expert bombers should 
 rest with battalion ami .ccaioun/ commanders. In practice, it is 
 not always possible for battalions Bunder active service conditions 
 to find the time <r obtain ll:e necessary facilities. It is, therefore, 
 usually advisable to form brigade or divisional schools to train 
 instructors for battalions, and to hold courses for the training of 
 expert bombers for battalions when no facilities exist for their train- 
 ing in the battalions themselves. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 3. Each platoon in a battalion should have a specially trained 
 bombing squad of one noncommissioned officer and eight men, and 
 should train sufficient reserves to replace casualties and maintain 
 the squad at full strength. The four platoon squads in a company 
 form the company bombers, and must be trained to work together. 
 In the trenches the company bombers are disposed of by the com- 
 pany commander as required, according to the scheme of defense 
 laid down by the battalion commander. Squads should, however, 
 remain with their own platoons as far as possible. 
 
 In addition, if desired and approved by the divisional commander, 
 a separate battalion bombing platoon under the battalion bombing 
 officer, consisting or not more than four bombing squads, may be 
 formed and administered as a separate unit. If this organization 
 is adopted, it should be universal throughout the division. 
 
 For purposes of training in the actual technique of bombing, 
 company squads may be grouped together under the battalion 
 bombing officer when the battalion is in rest billets, but they must 
 train with their companies when company training for attack and 
 defense schemes is in progress. For any particular operation, e.g., 
 a raid or general attack, when a special organization of bombers 
 becomes necessary, a proportion of the company bombers may be 
 withdrawn and specially trained under the battalion bombing 
 officer for employment in the impending operation. The normal 
 organization should be resumed when the operation is over. 
 
 Men employed as bombers must not be allowed to lose their 
 efficiency in the use of the rifle and bayonet, or in the ordinary duties 
 of the infantry soldier. 
 
9 
 
 4. Squads of one noncommissioned officer and eight men will 
 normally comprise two bayonet men, two throwers, two carriers 
 (reserve throwers), one rifle bomber, one spare man (sniper or rifle 
 bomber) , and the leader (noncommissioned officer) . The squad may 
 be subdivided into two groups if necessary. 
 
 Every member of the squad should be thoroughly trained in the 
 duties of every position, so that he can take Liny place in the squad. 
 If this is done the composition of the squad can be varied to suit 
 circumstances. 
 
 5. Each brigade has a bombing officer, who supervises the training 
 of bombers in a brigade, holds periodical grenade exercises of a more 
 advanced nature, and generally assists battalions. His chief duty 
 in action is to insure a supply of grenades to battalions. He is 
 assisted by a sergeant, who should be a thoroughly experienced 
 bomber. 
 
 He should superintend the supply and care of grenades throughout 
 the brigade, and should frequently visit battalions in the trenches- 
 to inspect grenade stores and bombing posts. 
 
 He is responsible, under the brigadier, for carrying out the stand- 
 ard tests (see Appendix I), and for the award of badges to bombers 
 in the brigade. 
 
 TRAINING. 
 
 6. The object of elementary grenade training (which every Infan- 
 try soldier should receive) is: 
 
 1. To give the individual a practical knowledge of the working of 
 the grenades in use. 
 
 2. To teach him how to throw them. 
 
 3. To make him acquainted with the general principles of the 
 organization and the execution of a grenade attack, either as a sepa- 
 rate operation or as part of a general attack. 
 
 A fair standard of accurate throwing with dummies and a working 
 knowledge of the mechanism of the Mills grenade must be acquired 
 before a man is allowed to handle a live one. 
 
 The action in throwing is that of overhand bowling. In the case 
 of a right-handed thrower the body is turned half right, the right 
 hand drawn back and below the waist, arm straight. The left arm 
 is carried forward, arm straight. The left foot is advanced, the 
 weight of the body being on the right foot, body bent back, eyes 
 fixed on the mark (see pi. 1). The grenade is hurled with a circular 
 swing of the right arm over the right shoulder, at the same time the 
 weight of the body is thrown forward onto the left foot, every muscle 
 
10 
 
 being brought into play to propel the grenade (see pi. IA). Expert 
 bombers usually impart a spin to the grenade; the grenade should 
 leave the hand at the highest point of the swing and should be thrown 
 well into the air. For short distances it can be lobbed from the 
 .shoulder by an action similar to that employed in "putting the 
 weight." A grenade may also have to be thrown with a bent arm 
 from positions in a deep trench where a full swing is not possible, 
 and this should be practiced. 
 
 Men should be taught that if a grenade with a time fuze like the 
 Mills is dropped in the act of throwing there is ample time to pick 
 it up and throw it out of the trench before it explodes, and that they 
 must do this immediately. 1 
 
 Men must be taught to throw from a standing, kneeling, and prone 
 position, though the latter position will seldom be used . 
 
 Distance is important in grenade throwing, but accuracy is essen- 
 tial. Bad direction results in waste of grenades and gives confidence 
 to the enemy. Men must be taught to throw at a definite mark at a 
 known distance even in the stages of preliminary throwing practice 
 in the open. They must be taught to keep their eyes on the target 
 while withdrawing the safety pin. 
 
 Men must be trained so that the removal of the safety pin before 
 throwing becomes instinctive and automatic. 2 Practice, by num- 
 bers, is of value in the initial stages of training. 
 
 A suggested syllabus for an elementary course and some notes on 
 training and physical exercises for bombers are given in Appendix I. 
 
 Every infantry soldier should at the conclusion of his recruit 
 training 
 
 1. Have a sound practical knowledge of the mechanism of the 
 Mills grenade and of its use as a rifle grenade. 
 
 2. Be able to throw a Mills grenade from behind cover to at least 
 30 yards with a good degree of accuracy. 
 
 3. Understand the principles on which a bombing attack down a 
 trench is made and supported, and have taken part in several such 
 exercises. 
 
 4. Have thrown a live Mills grenade in practice. 
 
 1 In throwing a percussion grenade from a trench care must be taken not to strike 
 it against the back of the trench or this may cause it to explode. 
 
 2 Even when throwing dummies men must be taught always to go through the 
 motion of withdrawing the pin before throwing. 
 
11 
 
 7. The object of the advanced course of training which the bombers 
 <of company squads and the battalion platoon should undergo are- 
 
 (a) To improve accuracy and distance of throwing. 
 
 (6) To increase knowledge of the various types of grenades and 
 how to handle them; this should include the use of rifle grenades 
 .and the various types of catapult and mechanical thrower, also the 
 care and storage of grenades. It is essential that bombers should be 
 instructed in the use of German grenades. 
 
 (c) The train bombing squads to work together on a regular sys- 
 tem of grenade drill, each man having his definite position and duty 
 in the various phases of attack and defense. The combined action 
 of hand and, rifle bombers must be carefully studied and practiced. 
 
 (d) The train parties consisting of several squads to work together 
 with the remainder of the company, in various schemes of attack 
 .and defense, both by day and night. 
 
 The use of Pippin grenades, smoke candles, rockets and flares 
 may also form part of the advanced course of training. 
 
 The following are the principal points requiring attention: 
 
 (a) Physical fitness is essential. Bombers should be exercised 
 daily in running, marching, physical drill, etc., to keep them fit 
 and supple. 1 
 
 (6) Throwing practice should be carried out daily, but should 
 not be overdone. 
 
 (c) Attack practices against a fire trench should be carried out 
 above ground and while on the move, also in extending laterally to 
 either flank from a section of captured trench by bombing over the 
 traverses and down communication trenches. 
 
 (d) Defense practice should be carried out from a trench against 
 another trench. The method of repelling a bomb attack down a 
 trench should be practiced, as also the methods of blocking a trench 
 against a bombing attack. 
 
 (e) After the initial stages it is essential that men should be trained 
 in throwing under service conditions as regards equipment, steel 
 helmets, carriers, etc. Throwing in gas helmets or with box respi- 
 rators must be practiced . 
 
 (/) Continual attention must be paid to accuracy of range, which 
 is just as important as accuracy of direction. 
 
 (g) Various types of trenches should be provided to enable prac- 
 tices to be properly carried out, e. g., traversed fire trenches, zigzag 
 communication trenches with island traverses, etc. 
 
 1 Some physical exercises for bombers are given in Appendix I. 
 
12 
 
 (h) Practice with live graneades at night is necessary. 
 
 (i) Training in the use of the Mills rifle grenade (No. 23) is of the- 
 greatest importance. 
 
 8. The duties of the various men in a bombing squad of 1 non- 
 commissioned officer and 8 men are as follows: 
 
 Nos. 1 and 2, bayonet men. These should be specially picked for 
 pluck and alertness; they should be good snap shots and handy with 
 the bayonet. Their duties in action are to attack the enemy with 
 the bayonet and clear the way for further progress; and also to pro- 
 tect the men behind them by rifle fire, if necessary. 
 
 In trench clearing they will be ahead of the throwers and work 
 round each traverse in turn. It lies principally with the bayonet 
 men to prevent the fighting becoming a mere grenade duel. Once 
 the enemy is on the run, the bayonet men must give him no oppor- 
 tunity to halt and to commence throwing grenades. 
 
 Nos. 3 and 4, grenade throwers. These should be chosen for their 
 coolness under fire and must be men who can be trusted not to get 
 flurried or lose their heads. They should be picked men, thoroughly 
 trained in accurate throwing, and having a thorough knowledge of 
 grenades. These men should be as lightly equipped as possible. 
 They will require both hands to manipulate the grenade effectively. 
 
 No. 5, noncommissioned officer or leader. He is in charge of the 
 whole squad, and is responsible for controlling the fire, preventing 
 indiscriminate throwing, and regulating the advance of the party. 
 He will signal the progress of his party down a trench by flags or 
 some form of flare signal. 1 In action he will place himself where he 
 can best observe the throwing and control the squad. In trench 
 clearing he should usually be behind the first carrier. A periscope 
 is useful, if available. 
 
 He will personally inspect each man of his party before they start 
 off on the task allotted to them. He will examine the arms of Nos. 
 1 and 2, and insure that magazines are charged, that there is one 
 round in the chamber, and that the bayonet is correctly fixed. He 
 will see that Nos. 3 and 4 are correctly equipped, and that Nos. 6, 
 7, 8, and 9 each have their full complement of grenades in the car- 
 riers, and that each grenade is correctly fuzed. He will make one 
 man of the squad responsible for observation to the flanks and for 
 giving immediate warning of counter attack from the flanks, unless 
 arrangements have been made for their protection by parties in rear. 
 
 1 A flare signal is to be preferred if distinctive and easily seen. There is a risk that 
 flags may be left behind or captured by the enemy, and become misleading. 
 
13 
 
 All the men should know who will take No. 5's place if he becomes a 
 casualty. 
 
 Nos. 6 and 7, the carrier's (reserve throwers). They will keep a watch 
 on their respective throwers, and insure that they always have a 
 grenade handy when required. They must be particularly careful 
 not to follow too close on the thrower lest they should embarrass him 
 in the act of throwing. They must be thoroughly trained in the 
 duties of the throwers, and be ready to take their place in case of 
 casulaties. 
 
 Nos. 8 and 9, rifle bombers. Their duties are to outrange hostile 
 bombers when there is any danger of the attack being checked and 
 thus, when necessary, to cover the advance of the squad. They 
 can also cover the flanks of the squad, when required. 
 
 The reserve bayonet man, if only one bayonet man is used in 
 advance of the party, may act as sniper. The duties of the sniper 
 .are to keep down the heads of the hostile bombing party, to break 
 their periscopes and thus prevent them from observing their fire, 
 and to protect his own squad from hostile snipers. 
 
 9. The following is an example of the method in which a grenade 
 squad, organized as in paragraph 4, should be trained to work down 
 a trench. (See fig. 1.) 
 
 On arriving at traverse 2 the bayonet men should place themselves 
 in positions Bl, B2, the first thrower at Tl, behind the traverse, the 
 first carrier immediately behind him at Cl. The noncommissioned 
 officer or leader at L in such a position that he can observe the fire 
 and direct the squad. The leading rifle bomber should normally 
 follow next behind the leader, who can then control both thrower 
 and rifle bomber. The second thrower and carrier will follow next, 
 with the second rifle bomber at the rear of the squad. 
 
 Crowding must be avoided, and if possible each man should be at 
 a corner, round which he can move to avoid a hostile grenade. 
 
 In support, further along the trench will be the blocking parties, 
 riflemen, Lewis gun detachments, etc. 
 
 As soon as the bayonet men are checked, the leader will direct the 
 iirst thrower to open fire. No. 1 thrower throws grenades as quickly 
 as possible into the section of the trench held by the enemy. 
 
 On receiving the order "Report" from the leader, the leading 
 bayonet man moves forward to see into the next bay and the trench 
 behind the next traverse. If they are clear he passes back word and 
 the whole party advances and take up positions at traverse 3 similar 
 to those taken up at traverse 2. In this way the party work down 
 the trench. 
 
14 
 
 On reaching a branch or communication trench, or deep dugout, 
 the leading bayonet man reports to the leader who decides on the 
 action to be taken. 
 
 (NOTE. Every number in the squad should carry a proportion of 
 smoke bombs for dealing with deep dugouts.) 
 
 The enemy once on the move should not be given time by the 
 bayonet men to make a fresh stand. The bayonet men should always 
 attempt to close with the enemy. A rapid and continuous advance 
 is most likely to prove successful, and grenade throwing should only 
 be resorted to when the bayonet men are held up. 
 
 In the event of a communication trench being encountered, as in 
 the plan given, another squad would be brought forward to work 
 down it, the first squad proceeding along the main trench until the 
 objective is reached. If no provision has been made for a second 
 squad the communication trench not being anticipated the leader 
 at once sends the second bayonet man, thrower, and carrier, to work 
 down the trench in question, accompanied by a blocking party and 
 riflemen if considered necessary. 
 
 Should an island traverse be encountered, the leading bayonet 
 men must watch both sides of it whilst the grenadiers are throwing, 
 grenades. 
 
 K,. L. C,. 
 
 10. A suggested syllabus for an advanced course, and the tests 
 which a man should be required to pass at its conclusion, are given 
 in Appendix I. 
 
 Once men have been thoroughly trained in the groundwork of 
 bombing, as much time as possible must be given to combined 
 schemes with the remainder of the company, and the following 
 in particular must be studied and practiced : 
 
 (a) The cooperation of Lewis guns and Stokes mortars with 
 bombers, either in a bombing attack down trenches or against a 
 hostile machine gun which is holding up an advance. 
 
 (6) The organization and action of bombers and the men sup- 
 porting them in an attack on trenches with deep dugouts, so that, 
 immediately on entry into the hostile trench, men may be posted 
 at all entrances to dugouts to prevent the enemy issuing. 
 
15 
 
16 
 
 (c) The rapid formation of a bombing party in an emergency, 
 either in attack or defense, from the first men available. 
 
 (d) The use of smoke in the attack, either from 4" Stokes mortars, 
 P grenades, smoke candles, or rifle grenades. Smoke can fre- 
 quently be used most effectively by bombing parties in an attack 
 on a hostile machine gun or strong point, or in village fighting, or 
 to screen the retirement of a raiding party. 
 
 PRECAUTIONS AGAINST ACCIDENTS DURING INSTRUC- 
 TION. 
 
 11. The following precautions against- accidents "will be taken 
 at lectures on grenades and during practice. Some of them are 
 applicable at all times. These are marked by an *: 
 
 (1) No detonators or grenades with charges in them will be used 
 unless a qualified officer or warrant officer instructor is present. 
 
 (2) At lectures only dummy grenades (that is, grenades with- 
 out an explosive charge in them) and dummy detonators (that is, 
 models in wood or metal to represent detonators, or. empty de- 
 tonators) will be used. 1 
 
 (3) Dummy grenades and dummy detonators will be specially 
 marked. 2 
 
 (4) A dummy grenade will not be reloaded to serve as a filled one; 
 its use as a dummy may have worn out or injured some part of it 
 .and may thus occasion a premature. 
 
 (5) Before commencing a lecture, or a practice in which dummy 
 grenades are to be thrown, the instructor will examine the material 
 
 1 It is advisable that demonstrations with filled grenades should not take place 
 inside a building. 
 
 2 Dummy detonator holders containing dummy detonators are supplied for No. 3 
 and No. 20 rifle grenades. They are distinguishable from live detonator holders 
 by not being closed at the bottom. 
 
 Dummy detonators are at present issued empty and must be tested by inserting 
 a splinter of wood, wire, etc. They will shortly be issued with a hole in the end 
 about one-third of the diameter of the detonator, so that daylight can be seen through 
 them. It should be noted that live detonators have four tiny holes in the end. 
 
 Dummy igniter sets are supplied for No. 5 Mills grenade. They are distinguishable 
 from the live sets by a hole, about one-third of the diameter of the detonator in diam- 
 eter, at the end of the detonator, and also by the cap having no central hole. 
 
 If no service dummy detonators are available, models in wood or tin should be 
 made and used; unloading live detonators is a delicate operation, wastes fulminate, 
 and should not be permitted. 
 
 Dummy grenades are supplied to represent No. 3, No. 5, and No. 20 grenades. 
 'They are painted white. 
 
 For numbers issuable to units and schools in France see G. R. O. 1473 and 1640. 
 
17 
 
 very carefully in order to insure that there are no detonators or filled 
 grenades (that is, grenades charged with explosive) included in it. 
 
 (6)* Men will be warned that live detonators, filled grenades, 
 and especially filled grenades with live detonators in them (usually 
 known as fused grenades) must be handled with care. The fol- 
 lowing rules should be impressed on all : 
 
 (a) Do not seize a detonator; hold it between forefinger and 
 thumb. v 
 
 (6) Do not drop, tread on, hit, or attempt to bend a detonator, or 
 treat one roughly. 
 
 (c) Do not force a detonator into a grenade or holder. If it does 
 not fit easily, another detonator must be used, and the defective 
 one (it may be a wrong one, see pi. F, which gives various types) 
 placed in a special box, and reported to an officer, who will subse- 
 quently arrange for it to be thrown into deep water or destroyed. 
 
 (d) Do not force a safety fuse into a detonator when making a 
 connection, but work it in gently for three-quarters of an inch, which 
 is as far as it can go. 
 
 (e) Do not attempt to pull a detonator off the safety fuse once it 
 is crimped on ; the only safe way is to cut the fuse above the crimp- 
 ing if it is necessary to remove the detonator. 
 
 (/) Do not leave a detonator lying about; a comrade may step 
 on it and be injured. 
 
 (g) Do not hold a friction fuse lighter by the thick end, as you 
 may set it off. 
 
 (7) At instruction a reliable man should be placed in charge of 
 the detonators and kept apart from the rest of the party; he should 
 issue detonators only on the order of an officer. 
 
 (8) At practice in inserting live detonators only one detonator 
 should be used for each party and the men should come up singly, 
 the others keeping at a safe distance or behind a traverse. 
 
 (9) A detonator or igniter will not be inserted in a grenade except 
 on the practice ground and then immediately before the grenade is 
 to be thrown, or for instructional purposes, as in 8 above. 
 
 (10)* The fusing of grenades by the insertion of the detonator 
 (detonator holder) or igniter will not be carried out in proximity to 
 a stack of grenades or boxes of grenades. There should be a definite 
 place chosen, e. g., a hole in the ground with a tub of water in it, 
 into which a grenade can be quickly thrown if ignition takes place, 
 and cover should be close at hand for the men. 
 
 97777 17 2 
 
18 
 
 (11) At all practices with fused grenades the instructors and the 
 classes will wear steel helmets. 
 
 (12) During individual practice with fused grenades not more 
 than one instructor and the thrower (firer in the case of rifle grenades), 
 or in all two persons, will be allowed in the throwing trench at the 
 same time; the remainder of the class will take cover before the 
 grenade is thrown. At least one instructor will be present with 
 these men to insure that they do not expose themselves. 1 
 
 Rifle grenades, should, in elementary instruction, be fired by a 
 lanyard through a box loophole or pipe built in 'a breastwork or 
 parapet, the grenade being inserted from the front after the rifle is 
 in position, and not fired until the two persons mentioned above 
 are behind the breastwork or parapet. 
 
 (13) During practice with live grenades the danger area must be 
 considered as a circle with a radius of 200 yards from a point where 
 the grenade explodes; no one should be allowed within the danger 
 area except under suitable cover. 
 
 i The following is a safety arrangement which has been found eifective for pre- 
 liminary instruction in hand grenade throwing; as soon as the men are sufficiently 
 skilled they should throw from a trench. Grenades are thrown from behind a wall 
 5 feet high at a target. A wing 5 feet high (with sandbags on top of the forward 
 portion to make it 7ft. 6 in.) separates thrower and instructor from the rest of 
 class, or the rest of the class may be behind a barricade further in rear. 
 
 \ 3 
 
19 
 
 (14) Grenades that fail to explode should be noted and the bomb- 
 ing ground carefully cleared up after conclusion of the day's exer- 
 cises; on no account should filled grenades be left lying about. 
 
 (15) A live time fuse grenade failing to explode when thrown will 
 not be lifted until at least one minute has expired, and then only 
 after careful examination. A precussion grenade which fails to 
 explode will be destroyed without lifting. This can be done by 
 firing a guncotton primer beside it. 
 
 (16) Should a fused grenade not be thrown, the detonator, or 
 igniter in case of No. 5 (Mills) grenades, will be removed from it 
 as soon as possible and in any case before it is returned to store ; on 
 no account will such an operation be carried out in any grenade store. 
 It must be done on the ground under proper precautions for safety. 
 
 (17) The safety fuse used in the igniters of No. 5 (Mills) grenades 
 will be examined occasionally to see that it is not cracked at the 
 bend, as this is likely to cause erratic burning. This applies to the 
 igniters in store as well as to grenades when being fused in the first 
 instance. 
 
 (18) All the special precautions given in the descriptions of the 
 different types of grenades in Appendix III will invariably be 
 observed. 
 
 (19) All inspection should be carried out in a good light. 
 
 EMPLOYMENT OF BOMBERS IN THE ATTACK. 
 
 12. Bombers may be employed in 
 
 (a) Local enterprises or raids, designed to inflict loss on the enemy 
 but with no intention of making any advance or holding a captured 
 trench. 
 
 (6) Local attacks made by bombers and supported by other in- 
 fantry, with the intention of capturing and holding some length of 
 trench or position. 
 
 (c) General attacks on a large scale, in which bombers are allotted 
 special roles in conjunction with the main infantry attack. 
 
 The organization of parties and arrangements made will naturally 
 differ somewhat in each of above cases, but the principles remain the 
 same and success will depend on 
 
 (a) Careful preliminary reconnaissance and preparation. 
 
 (6) Every party being given a definite task and organized accord- 
 ingly; every man in each party knowing his task and being trained 
 for it; and sufficient trained men being in reserve to replace casualties. 
 
 (c) Accurate and disciplined throwing. 
 
 (d) Arrangements for keeping up a sufficient supply of grenades. 
 
20 
 
 Generally speaking, in the attack, bombing is of vahie for clearing 
 small lengths of trench and for close fighting after a trench has been 
 rushed ; but experience has shown that on great or rapid progress can 
 be made by bombing, and an assault across the open after adequate 
 preparation will usually be a quicker and in the long run less costly 
 operation than bombing attacks on a large scale. 
 
 ORGANIZATION AND EXECUTION OF A BOMBING 
 ATTACK. 
 
 13. When preparing a grenade attack a definite objective must 
 be selected. An air photograph of the position must be carefully 
 studied, and the best line or lines of attack be chosen. All side 
 trenches must be carefully noted and definite orders given whether 
 they are to be 
 
 (cr) Picketed by bombers and bayonet men as a temporary measure. 
 
 (6) Permanently blocked, in which case a working party, as well as 
 the bombers and bayonet men, must be detailed beforehand. 
 
 (c) Used for a secondary attack, in which case a properly organized 
 column must be detailed. 
 
 A separate party must be detailed beforehand for every side trench, 
 If the air photograph is not sufficiently clear, and side parties can not 
 be told off for particular trenches, the parties should be numbered 
 (No. 1 side party, No. 2 side party) and used as occasion requires. 
 
 Arrangements for dealing with dugouts must also be made. P. 
 grenades are most effective against deep dugouts : and a supply should 
 always be carried by the leading bombers. Parties placed in close 
 support should be detailed for the systematic clearing of a system of 
 dugouts. 
 
 The protection of the flanks of a bombing attack by the fire of 
 machine guns, Lewis guns, or snipers against a hostile counter attack 
 ^across the open must always be arranged . Lewis guns can frequently 
 accompany the bombing party. They may be able to enfilade some 
 portion of a hostile trench; they can always assist in keeping down 
 hostile rifle fire; and they will be available to defend the captured 
 trenches or any block that may be made when the operations have 
 come to an end. 
 
 Whenever possible Stokes mortars should be used to assist bombers. 
 They should be so placed that they can bring a heavy, concentrated,, 
 and continuous fire on a point previously fixed in the enemy's trench, 
 
 i They usually set fire to and destroy the dugout, and should therefore not be- used 
 indiscriminately in captured trenches which it is proposed to hold, as our men willi 
 thus be deprived of the shelter of the dugouts in a subsequent hostile bombardment. 
 
21 
 
 about 50 yards beyond the length to be secured by the bombers. The 
 position of the mortars may either be in the trench down which the 
 bombing raid is made, so as to give enfilade fire, or in trenches 
 opposite the objective. A combination of frontal and enfilade fire 
 should be employed whenever possible. 
 
 The following points should be attended to by Stokes mortar 
 officers: 
 
 1. The target should be carefully registered before the operation 
 commences. 
 
 2. Fire should be opened at the moment of attack, and continued 
 until the piece of trench gained is consolidated. 
 
 3. A plentiful supply of ammunition should be at the mortars 
 before the attack is undertaken. 
 
 The Stokes mortar can also be used to fire ahead of bombers as 
 they proceed down the trench, but this method should only be em- 
 ployed when observation is so favorable that the Stokes mortar 
 officer can make certain that he can follow the movements of the 
 bombers down the trench. Rifle bombers, using the Mills rifle 
 grenade (No. 23) are more suited for close support in this way, as 
 their fire can be directly controlled by the leader of the bombing 
 squad. 
 
 When the operation consists of a raid into enemy's trenches, to 
 return when the object is accomplished, arrangements for bringing 
 back wounded should be made. If it is intended to gain ground 
 and hold it, preparations for consolidating the position must be 
 made beforehand, troops must be detailed to hold definite sections of 
 it, and the necessary tools and sandbags must be taken up by them. 
 Arrangements must also be made for establishing grenade stores in 
 the captured trenches. 
 
 The various accessories required, such as periscopes, flags, or 
 flares to signal progress, electric torches for dugouts, etc., must be 
 provided. 
 
 The supply of grenades is dealt with in section 18. 
 
 14. The method of attack by a small bombing squad working 
 down a trench has already been described (sec. 9). 
 
 For operations on a larger scale along a line of trenches in which 
 we have already established ourselves, or to drive the enemy out of 
 a large section of our trenches which he has captured, 1 the attacking 
 party should be organized into point, support, side parties (for 
 dealing with side trenches), main body. 
 
 1 See, however, end of sec. 12. 
 
22 
 
 The composition of these parties will vary according to circum- 
 stances Their duties are as follows: 
 
 The point is the party which makes the actual attack. It will 
 usually consist of one complete bombing squad, organized as in 
 section 4. The attack is carried out in a series of rushes from one 
 traverse to another, the bayonet men leading. Immediately before 
 each rush the throwers throw grenades into the trench to clear it for 
 as great a distance as possible. Wherever there is room the throwers, 
 whether two or three in number, should throw simultaneously and 
 divide the distance between them. One should be responsible for 
 the short throws, and one (the best thrower) should always throw as 
 far as he can. The advance can also be supported by the rifle 
 bombers using the Mills rifle grenade. Everything depends on the 
 accuracy of the throwing; grenades which burst outside the trench 
 are wasted. The attack must be pushed home with vigor, and must 
 never be allowed to degenerate into a grenade duel. The enemy 
 should be kept on the run and allowed no time to make a stand. 
 
 The carriers are responsible for the immediate supply of grenades 
 to the throwers. Behind the carriers should come the officer di- 
 recting the attack. He should have a periscope for observation pur- 
 poses. He exercises a general control over the throwing discipline 
 and regulates the rate of the advance. He also arranges the relief of 
 the men of the point from the support. Men so relieved join the 
 main body, not the support. 
 
 The duties of the support (a complete squad from the same com- 
 pany as the point) are to supply the reliefs for, or replace casualties 
 in the point, and to clear dugouts. They should also be prepared 
 to get out of the trench and work round the flanks, taking what cover 
 they can find in shell holes, etc., when the point is held up by a 
 hostile block or for any other cause. This method of clearing a 
 trench is frequently most effective. The thrower can see what he 
 is doing, and gets a much longer and more accurate throw when 
 throwing from the open than when throwing from the trench. The 
 movement of these flank throwers is dependent on our own machine 
 guns or Lewis guns and snipers being able to keep down those of the 
 enemy. 
 
 For clearing dugouts, two Pippin grenades should be thrown into 
 them. This will usually have the effect of driving the survivors 
 of the enemy up into the open . If no Pippin grenades are available 
 after two grenades have been thrown into the dugout, two bayonet 
 men should go down with an electric torch. They should be on the 
 
23 
 
 lookout for the enemy hiding- in underground passages off the en- 
 trance to the dugout. 
 
 The support also hold any side trench until the arrival of the side 
 party detailed for that trench. 
 
 The support is reenforced from the msin body, not from the side 
 parties, which are immediately in rear of it. 
 
 Side parties form distinctive units and will not be used for reen- 
 forcing. The parties will be numbered and every man should know 
 the number of his party. Each party usually consists of one squad. 
 The number of parties detailed will depend on the number of side 
 trenches to be blocked, but only two parties should move in front 
 of the main body. Each side party should understand whether it 
 is'to picquet the trench or to block it permanently, in which latter 
 case a working party with sandbags should join them from the main 
 body. 
 
 An officer should be in charge of the side parties and detail each 
 party to its particular trench. He must also look out for any at- 
 tempt by the enemy to counterattack across the open. 
 
 The main body is responsible for keeping the support up to its 
 full strength, and will garrison and consolidate all ground won. It 
 is also responsible for organizing a chain of supply from the advanced 
 grenade depot to the forward parties (see par. 18). 
 
 Some Lewis guns will usually accompany the main body. The 
 support of machine guns and Stokes mortars should be arranged if 
 possible. 
 
 EMPLOYMENT OF BOMBERS IN AN ATTACK ON A LARGE 
 SCALE ACROSS THE OPEN. 
 
 15. The chief duties of bombers in an attack on a large scale will 
 be to clear trenches over which the assaulting troops have passed, to 
 protect the flanks of the attack when it has reached and occupied 
 the enemy trenches, to secure the enemy communication trenches, 
 and to form barricades so far down them that grenades can not be 
 thrown into the main trenches just captured. 
 
 Attacks often succeed at some points and not at others, with the 
 result that our own and the enemy's infantry are in the same trench. 
 Bombers are invaluable in such cases. 
 
 Bombers may also be of great use in street or wood fighting and for 
 patrol work at night. The strong points and underground defenses 
 in villages, as well as posts and barricades in the streets, call for the 
 special use of grenades. The combination of hand and rifle grenades, 
 
24 
 
 smoke bombs, machine guns, and light mortars is of the first im- 
 portance in village fighting. The consolidation of captured woods 
 has often proved a very difficult operation owing to strong enemy 
 detachments having been able to conceal themselves during the 
 advances of our infantry, and subsequently to develop machine-gun 
 and rifle fire behind and on the flanks of the captured line. Strong 
 clearing parties, largely composed of bombers, must therefore be de- 
 tailed to deal with organized opposition after the assaulting troops 
 have passed on. 
 
 Rifle grenades, particularly the Mills, are often of great value for 
 dealing with hostile machine guns or strong points which check the 
 attack. 
 
 Bombing squads and parties should therefore be detailed for the 
 following duties: 
 
 (a) To clear trenches and areas over which the assaulting troops 
 have passed. 
 
 (6) A party to deal with each communication trench leading 
 toward the enemy from the line which forms the final objective of 
 the attack. 
 
 (c) Parties on either flank of each body to block trenches on the 
 flanks or extend the ground won laterally. 
 
 Of the above the most important duty is that in (a). Experience 
 of recent attacks has shown that it is essential to detail strong clearing 
 parties in order to prevent the issue of the enemy from dugouts or 
 other shelter in rear of the assaulting troops. 
 
 Plans for the actions of bombing squads should be carefully thought 
 out beforehand and should be based on a study both of the ground and 
 of the air maps of the enemy trenches. Each bombing squad should 
 be made to understand very clearly the main objective of the attack 
 as well as its own immediate objective, and also how far beyond or to 
 the flanks of such objective it is to proceed. When possible, orders 
 should be given in advance with regard to the fire and communica- 
 tion trenches which are to be stopped and the points at which this is 
 to be done. 
 
 The position of bombing parties in an attack must depend on the 
 tasks to which they are allotted. The parties detailed to clear the 
 first trenches in rear of the assaulting troops should follow close in rear 
 of the leading line of infantry, while parties to clear trenches farther 
 forward should follow in rear of the second or succeeding lines. 
 Parties to deal with communication trenches when the final objec- 
 tive is reached .are probably better placed with the first line, as if 
 
25 
 
 they follow in rear it will be harder to control them and direct them 
 on the required point. 
 
 In addition to the special parties detailed, the bombing squads of 
 companies in the front line should be on the flanks of their com- 
 panies. They are then at once available to work outward should 
 the attack succeed at one point and fail at others. 
 
 EQUIPMENT OF BOMBERS. 
 
 16. Bombers should be as lightly equipped as possible. In the 
 case of grenade operations and raids, the men who are actually to 
 throw grenades should not carry rifles, but may be armed with revolv- 
 ers if they have been taught to use them, or with a bayonet or 
 special stabbing knife or weapon for hand-to-hand fighting, such as an 
 ax or knobkerrie. In a general attack all men will usually carry 
 rifle and bayonet. Bombers must therefore be taught to throw with 
 rifle slung over left shoulder. Steel helmets should be worn by all 
 men taking part in grenade attacks. 
 
 Grenades are best carried in a canvas bucket or haversack to hook 
 to belt (see Appendix II). 
 
 BLOCKING TRENCHES AGAINST A GRENADE ATTACK. 
 
 17. All bombers must have a knowledge of the best methods of 
 blocking a trench. In all attacks they should be supported by a 
 party of men with sandbags and tools, under an experienced non- 
 commissioned officer, so that, while the bombers are keeping the 
 enemy at bay, a strong barricade can be built as quickly as possible. 
 
 It is advisable to work along the trench for a distance of 50 yards 
 or so farther than the point to be barricaded in order to drive the 
 enemy back out of grenade-throwing distance. A second barricade 
 of a temporary nature should be erected at this advanced point, and 
 constant fire kept up by the bombers, while a working party fill in 
 the trench between the advanced and near barricades as rapidly as 
 possible, placing wire in it to hinder the enemy from digging it out. 
 It is advisable, as a rule, to attach a small number of engineers to the 
 party, with a view to blowing down the enemy's trench by explo- 
 sives. As soon as a clear field of fire has been established from the 
 point to be held, the bombers retire from the advanced barricade. 
 
 In making a permanent barricade, provision must be made for 
 dugouts for the bombing party and riflemen. The best form of dug- 
 out is one built off the main trench in a T shape. This should be 
 
26 
 
 protected from counter grenade attacks by wire netting, and a gre- 
 nade depot should also be built. 
 
 A "blocking-gate" device is shown in plate A. 
 
 It is of advantage to dig a sap leading toward the enemy from each 
 ;side of the trench which has been blocked, somewhat in the form 
 of a "trident." Grenades can thus be thrown into the blocked 
 French from three points simultaneously. (See fig. 2.) 1 
 
 Wire 
 
 X X X X X X XX- 
 
 Fig. 2. 
 
 'The point X, where the saps branch off, should be out of grenade-throwing distance 
 from Y, the rear block. 
 
 There are two main types of trench which it may become neces- 
 sary to block: 
 
 (a) The winding communication trench, down which it is impos- 
 sible to fire. 
 
 (6) The straight trench with traverses, along which it is possible 
 to fire when the traverses are destroyed. 
 
 () To block the winding trench effectively, a section of it must 
 be absolutely destroyed. The length filled in should be sufficient 
 to give the defence ample time to shoot any men attempting to 
 rush across the gap. An obstacle should be placed across the 
 destroyed portion and continued for 10 yards or so on either side. 
 There is no object in filling in the trench for a greater distance than 
 it is possible to throw a grenade, as it would only be dug out again 
 
 1 A straight trench can be used in a similar way (see fig. 7). 
 
27 
 
 Fig. 3. 
 
28 
 
 by the enemy up to the point where our grenades become effective. 
 A barbed-wire knife-rest or similar object placed in the trench 
 before it is filled in will considerably increase the difficulty of any 
 attempt to dig out the destroyed portion. (See fig. 3.) 
 
 Should it be possible to fill in only a short length of the trench 
 (15 or 20 yards), the bombers should not be stationed close up to the 
 destroyed portion, where they would be constantly exposed to 
 grenades. They should be stationed sufficiently far back to be 
 safe from grenades thrown by men at the enemy's end of the blocked 
 portion. From this position they can occasionally run up and throw 
 grenades into the trench beyond the gap. Any attempt on the 
 part of the enemy to dig out their end of the gap should be met by 
 vigorous and continuous grenade throwing until the digging ceases. 
 
 In order to guard against a rush across the gap, sidings at right 
 angles to the trench should be made. A Lewis gun is very useful 
 to cover the gap. 
 
 (&) In the case of a straight trench with traverses (fig. 4), the 
 traverses in a portion of it should be cut away and the earth be used 
 to fill the recesses. A strongly built sandbag breastwork is then 
 made across the trench, with loopholes for observation and fire. 
 The trench behind the breastwork is roofed over to give protection 
 from grenades, with a traverse to protect the men from grenades 
 which burst beyond them. To hinder any attempt of the enemy 
 to rush across the cleared portion of the trench, loose strands of 
 wire should be placed in it. A Lewis gun, if available, can be 
 mounted in the breastwork. In order to guard against damage to 
 the breastwork by grenades continually being thrown against it 
 and bursting at the foot of it, a catch pit c#n be dug, into which they 
 would roll before bursting. 
 
 Sidings should be made as before. 
 
 In making a block in a communication trench, care should be 
 taken to level off the earth on either side of any portion of the trench 
 held by us within grenade- throwing distance of the enemy, in order 
 that badly thrown grenades may not roll down the slope into the 
 trench (see figs. 5 and 6). 
 
29 
 
 Fig 4. 
 
 Access 
 fif/cd /f> 
 
 -tiJL 
 
 Parapet loop- 
 holed for fire 
 
 Covcrea tn tomb -.orcof. 
 
 Grenade store 
 
 
30 
 
 Kg. 5. 
 
 Usual form of communication trench. 
 
 Fig. 6. 
 
 *#J*r//W -, 
 Grtrmfks i 
 
 I 
 
 Trench with earth levelled off, 
 
31 
 
 SUPPLY OF GRENADES IN ATTACK. 
 
 18. The supply of grenades is perhaps the most important point in 
 the organization of a grenade attack. Unless a constant and steady 
 supply of grenades can be kept up, the attack will fail. 
 
 A. SUPPLY DURING A BOMBING ATTACK. 
 
 In the case of a grenade attack from a line of trenches in which we 
 are already established, the principles on which this supply must 
 be based are: 
 
 (a) Establishment of grenade depots, which must be kept filled. 
 There should be one close to the spot from which the attack starts, 
 one at battalion headquarters, and one near brigade headquarters to 
 feed the latter. 
 
 (6) Preparation of each grenade by inserting the detonator ready 
 for use before it leaves brigade headquarters and by examining safety 
 pins to see that they can easily be withdrawn. 
 
 (c) An initial supply carried by the men taking part in the attack. 
 Every man should carry a supply of grenades. 
 
 (d) Certain and rapid transit of grenades from the depots to their 
 destination in order to maintain the initial supply. The most satis- 
 factory method is to have a chain of men at intervals from the ad- 
 vanced depot to the front of the attacking party, passing supplies up 
 from one to another. Attempts to keep up the supply by sending 
 men backward and forward along the trench for fresh supplies 
 usually breaks down, owing to the trench becoming blocked or to 
 the carrying parties being waylaid or lost. 
 
 The number of men required to form a chain at suitable intervals 
 from the advanced depot to the final objective requires careful calcu- 
 lation. 
 
 The chain method may fail or prove costly in personnel if a hostile 
 artillery barrage is formed. 
 
 Another method is to have a definite unit, e. g., a company, 
 specially detailed to carry forward grenades. A unit so detailed 
 should employ whatever method is best suited to the tactical situa- 
 tion, but must begin its work of bringing up supplies of grenades 
 immediately the attack is launched. 
 
 (e) A recognized chain of responsibility for supply. Os. C. com- 
 panies should be responsible for organizing the flow of bombs from 
 advanced depots to forward parties, the battalion bombing officer 
 from the battalion depot to the advanced deopts, and the brigade 
 
32 
 
 bombing officer from the brigade to battalion depot. The brigade 
 depot is replenished from the divisional ammunition column. 
 
 The types of grenade carriers in use are described in Appendix II. 
 
 B. SUPPLY DURING A GENERAL ATTACK. 
 
 In the case of a general attack the same principles should be ob- 
 served as far as possible, advanced depots being established in the 
 captured trenches as early as possible, and arrangements made to 
 insure a continual supply to meet requirements. Carrying parties 
 must be detailed to take forward grenades, and the initial supply with 
 the assaulting lines should be as large as possible. With this object 
 each man in the assaulting lines should carry two or three grenades. 
 It is very necessary to insure by good discipline that these grenades 
 are not wasted by indiscriminate throwing. 
 
 Prior to the delivery of the attack depots of grenades should be 
 established along the whole front system of trenches, and particu- 
 larly along the communication trenches, in which a number of 
 grenade stores should be prepared and be clearly marked and their 
 position made known to all ranks. The farther grenades have to be 
 carried during an attack the smaller will be the numbers which 
 actually reach the leading troops. Moreover, communication with 
 the rear may be cut off by hostile artillery fire. 
 
 The following initial distribution is suggested : 
 
 (a) To squads detailed for bombing as many grenades as can con- 
 veniently be carried. (Note. It is a mistake to overload bombers 
 and only leads to waste of grenades, as men will hasten to get rid of 
 part of their load.) 
 
 (6) Two Mills grenades to all other infantry soldiers in the bat- 
 talions detailed to open the attack. It will frequently be advisable 
 to collect these on reaching the objective in order to form a reserve 
 for the bombing squads. 
 
 (c) Battalion depots in the front system of trenches. 
 
 (d) A brigade depot farther in rear from which the battalion depots 
 are replenished. 
 
 Adequate bomb-proof cover must be provided for these depots. 
 
 There should be a reserve of carriers (buckets or bags) at all depots. 
 
 All bodies of men sent forward in support of the attack should 
 carry grenades. The issue of these grenades should be made from 
 the rearmost depots if possible, so as not to deplete those farther 
 forward ; arrangements for replenishing the depots must be worked 
 out beforehand. 
 
33 
 
 In the enemy's trenches supplies of his grenades are usually to 
 be found. Bombers should therefore know how to use them. De- 
 tails of the construction of German grenades are given in 
 Appendix IV. 
 
 The following are most important points in the supply of grenades 
 in a general attack: 
 
 (a) Every officer and noncommissioned officer must know the 
 position of main grenade stores. 
 
 (6) Forward depots in the captured trenches must be established 
 as early as possible. When a position is captured, a supply of 
 grenades should at once be sent for, whether immediately required 
 or not. The approximate position of forward depots should be 
 selected beforehand, and made known to all ranks. 
 
 (c) The system of carrying must be organized. 
 
 (d) Waste must be strictly prevented, and grenades collected 
 from casualties when possible. 
 
 A summary of some instructions issued by a brigade will be found 
 in Appendix V. 
 
 EMPLOYMENT OF BOMBERS IN THE DEFENSE. 
 
 19. The main infantry defense of a line of trenches against hostile 
 infantry will be by rifle and machine gun fire. Parties of bombers, 
 however, may be distributed throughout the front system of trenches 
 for special purposes. Except in those parts of the line where the 
 enemy's trenches are within grenade-thfowing range, bombing 
 parties need not actually be located in the fire trenches. The best 
 position for them is in the support trenches close to the main com- 
 munication trenches leading to the fire trenches, whence they can 
 make an immediate counterattack should the enemy succeed in 
 gaining a footing in the front line. 
 
 A "trench" or "bombing pits," dug about 20 yards behind the 
 front trench, from which grenades can be thrown into the front 
 trench, is an advantage. 
 
 W T here mine craters, sapheads, hollows, etc., provide ground 
 which neither rifle nor machine-gun fire can cover, bombing posts 
 should be established so as to deny such points to the enemy. These 
 posts should be sheltered as far as possible from enemy grenades 
 by wire netting and small traverses. 
 
 Saps forward from the front trench should be covered to beyond 
 grenade-throwing distance from the front trench with a network of 
 overhead wire of about 1 foot mesh. This will prevent parties of 
 
 97777_17 3 
 
34 
 
 the enemy who may capture the sap from throwing their grenades 
 into the front trench, but will not prevent the grenades of the de- 
 fenders from falling among the enemy in the sap. The head of the 
 sap should not be wired, so that when it is occupied by the bombers 
 of the defense they can throw their grenades from it to both front 
 and flanks. 
 
 Unless a sap is within grenade-throwing distance of the enemy, 
 occupation by bombers is not necessary; but a bombing post should 
 be established in close proximity to all saps. 
 
 The trident trench as a means of defense has already been referred 
 to. A similar arrangement can be carried out for the defense of a 
 mine crater or at any point where a communication trench joins a 
 main trench, e. g., 
 
 Fig. 7. 
 
 Bombing posts at A, A, A, can all throw into C simultaneously. 
 
 The action of bombing parties should be laid down in the scheme 
 of defense of each section of the line, and each party should be prac- 
 ticed in carrying out its particular role, so that every member of 
 it may know what he has to do. 
 
 It is essential that a counterattack by bombers should start im- 
 mediately, before the enemy has had time to arrange his defense. 
 In the case of small counterattacks from the support trenches, the 
 bombing squad, which should be permanently stationed close to 
 the communication trench, moves forward at once, followed by the 
 remainder of the platoon. If it is necessary on reaching the fire 
 trench to turn outward and attack in both directions, every man 
 must be detailed beforehand as a right-hand or left-hand man. 
 
 In the case of a counterattack on a bigger scale from the reserve 
 trenches, a properly organized column with point, support, side 
 parties, and main body must be detailed (see sec. 14). The men 
 should be told off beforehand and stationed in the order in which 
 they will advance, i. e., with the point nearest the communication 
 
35 
 
 trench. The attack can then be launched at a moment's notice. 
 The men file into the communication trench in order, taking their 
 grenades from the grenade stores as they pass. These grenade stores 
 should be established at the junction of each communication trench 
 with the reserve trench. The grenades should be kept ready packed 
 in carriers. 
 
 A counterattack across the open can often be prepared and sup- 
 ported with effect by the fire of rifle bombers. 
 
 CARE AND STORAGE OF GRENADES. 
 
 20. Grenades stored in trenches should be kept ready fused 
 with the detonators inserted. Each company in the front line 
 should have a supply on company charge. Company and platoon 
 commanders should be responsible that all grenade depots on their 
 charge are kept up to strength. The company bombing noncom- 
 missioned officer should inspect stores daily. Grenades should be 
 distributed in a number of dry and closed bombproof depots estab- 
 lished at frequent intervals in the trenches, in the "grenade trench, " 
 and near the head of communication trenches. The principle to be 
 observed is that there should be no more grenades than absolutely 
 necessary in the front line, and that reserves should be echeloned 
 in rear, as near to main lines of communication as possible. The 
 depots should be well marked, easily accessible and kept distinct 
 from other stores. A good type of grenade depot is one built in a 
 T-shaped trench off the main trench. Th grenades should be in- 
 closed in tin-lined boxes, the lid of which must be made airtight, 
 in the depots to prevent deterioration. Old ammunition boxes can 
 be adapted for the purpose. 
 
 Conspicuous notice boards to show the position of grenade depots 
 and the way to them should be placed in all trenches. 
 
 All grenades sent to the trenches must be constantly turned over. 
 This can be done, if ordinary expenditure is not sufficient, by bring- 
 ing back grenades from the trenches and using them in grenade 
 training schools. 
 
 Stores used for grenades and detonators in the trenches, rest 
 billets, or elsewhere will not be used for any other purpose. The 
 use of naked lights and smoking is forbidden in them. No inflam- 
 mable material should be allowed in a grenade store. Ventilation 
 must be arranged. 
 
36 
 
 The insertion of detonators should be carried out under the driest 
 possible conditions. The base plug of the Mills' grenade should be 
 well smeared with vaseline before it is screwed home. 
 
 A supply of vaseline or mineral jelly should be kept at brigade 
 and battalion grenade dumps and the grenades should be frequently 
 examined and kept free from rust, special attention being paid to the 
 lever and safety pin. 
 
 The following may be taken as a rough guide to the number of 
 grenades required by a brigade with two battalions in front line: 
 For each company in front line, 500; in each battalion store, 1,000; 
 in brigade store, 3,000. 
 
APPENDIX I. 
 
 GGESTIONS FOR SYLLABUS OF TRAINING. 
 A. ELEMENTARY TRAINING. 
 
 The following subjects should be included in the course: 
 Lectures. (a) Handling grenades, and precautions necessary. 
 
 (b) Description of grenades in use and detailed description of 
 Mills grenade. 
 
 (c) Care and storage of grenades. 
 
 (d) Organization and tactics of bombers in attack and defense, 
 including tactical use of rifle grenades. 
 
 Practical. (a) Throwing dummy grenades in open and in trenches. 
 (6) Group practice, one man throwing grenade, one keeping up 
 supply of grenades. 
 
 (c) Practice in squads of eight, under a leader, working up trench 
 with dummy grenades. 
 
 (d) Throwing live grenades, individual practice. 
 
 (e) If possible, practice in squads of eight, under a leader, with 
 live grenades. 
 
 Following is a suggested syllabus for an elementary course when 
 only three days are available: 
 
 First day. Opening lecture on detonators, fuses, igniters, and 
 grenades, and their properties. 
 
 Demonstration of action in throwing grenades in various positions 
 in the open by instructor, followed by practice by class. 
 
 Detailed description of Mills grenade and precautions to be taken 
 with it. 
 
 Practice in throwing dummy grenades at 25 yards (i) Into a 
 trench or pit; (ii) out of trench; (iii) over a traverse. 
 
 Demonstration of the use of the Mills grenade as a rifle grenade. 
 
 Short drill to explain duties of various men in a grenade party. 
 nd day. Questions on previous day's work and drill. 
 
 Practice in throwing with dummies individually and in groups, 
 in the open and from trenches. 
 
 Lecture on care of grenades. 
 
 Lecture on organization and tactics of bombers. 
 
 (37) 
 
38 
 
 Demonstration by trained bombing squad of method of working 
 down a trench. 
 
 Third day. Questions on previous day's work. 
 
 Lecture on organization and tactics of bombers. 
 
 Individual throwing of live grenades. 
 
 Practice in squads of eight, under a leader, working down trench 
 with dummy grenades. 
 
 Demonstration of method of blocking a trench. 
 
 Squads of eight, under a leader, working down trench with live 
 grenades. 
 
 There should be a prepared training ground at all rest billets, so 
 as to prevent delay in training when battalions come out to rest. 
 
 Men should first of all be practiced in throwing at measured 
 distances in the open with dummies. 
 
 A good method of preparing the ground is to mark on it a series of 
 double lines, each double line being 3 feet wide, to represent the 
 width of a trench. The base lines, also 3 feet apart, between which 
 the throwers stand, should be 20 yards from the first double line; 
 then come four more rows beyond the first one, at distances of 25 
 yards, 30 yards, 35 yards, and 40 yards. 
 
 Having once mastered the first distance the men should then 
 throw at the farther distances in turn. 
 
 The squads can be divided into two groups of four men, one 
 group returning the dummies to the group throwing from the base 
 line; by this means no time will be lost and every man will be kept 
 interested in the proceedings. 
 
 As soon as the man has obtained a certain amount of proficiency 
 in throwing in the open he should next be practiced in throwing 
 from behind cover, which is the normal condition under which 
 grenades are thrown in action. 
 
 Arrangements for practicing in throwing should be provided in all 
 billets and handed over when the occupants are changed as "billet 
 stores." "Cages," as described below, are suitable for throwing 
 practice. They require little material, either for construction or 
 upkeep, and instruction is as good as with trenches. They are espe- 
 cially suitable in low-lying districts, where trenches can not be kept 
 dry. 
 
 Cages can be made as follows (see fig. 8 and pi. 6): 
 
 (a) Throwing cage. Consists of four posts, which project 8 feet 
 above the thrower's platform. The sides can be made of wire net- 
 ting or such other material as may be available. The front face 
 should be boarded, the top 1J feet of which can be removed about 
 
39 
 
 6 inches at a time. The thrower stands inside the cage and throws 
 over the front face, the height of which can be adjusted, according 
 to the proficiency of the thrower, either to a height of 6 feet, 5 feet 6 
 inches, 5 feet, or 4 feet 6 inches by removing one or more boards. 
 During wet weather a trench board, upon which the thrower can 
 stand, can be placed inside the cage. 
 
 THBOWING CAGE. 
 
 Fig.. 8. 
 Plan. 
 
 H 
 
 Perspective elevation. 
 
 (6) Target cage. The target cages are similar to the thrower's cage, 
 but the front face need not be boarded, nor need the sides be more 
 than 3 feet high. This cage can be made of any length and traverses 
 placed in it at any interval as desired. The most elementary cage 
 
40 
 
 would be placed in direct prolongation of the thrower's cage. By 
 placing others at different angles the bomber can be practiced at 
 throwing at different angles as his proficiency increases. These 
 cages are of particular value in elementary instruction, as the thrower 
 after completing his practice can see the result of his throwing. 
 
 Instruction should also be given in indirect fire, one man observ- 
 ing, the other throwing. The observer, using a periscope or direct 
 observation, corrects the thrower's aim by calling out after each 
 dummy grenade is thrown, "Shorten six yards," "Two yards more 
 right," etc. 1 
 
 As soon as a good standard of accuracy has been reached the men 
 should be formed into squads and instructed in trench work. As 
 this instruction is the most important part of a bomber's training, 
 it should be progressive and carefully thought out, the practice being 
 conducted at first in slow time as a drill in which all detail is ex- 
 plained and all faults corrected. The practice should be gradually 
 quickened up and the party allowed to work by themselves, the 
 practice being criticized on its conclusion. The importance of all 
 members of a squad being equally conversant with the duties of 
 all numbers must be remembered, and the numbers changed round 
 accordingly. A plentiful supply of dummy grenades must be avail- 
 able on all occasions when trench work is practiced. 
 
 B. ADVANCED COURSE. 
 
 The following subjects should be included: 
 
 Lectures. (a) Details of grenades of various types, including the 
 German. 
 (6) Details of rifle grenades and throwers. 
 
 (c) Organization and tactics of bombers in attack and defense, 
 organization for raids or large attack. Cooperation of machine and 
 Lewis guns, tactical use of rifle grenades and throwers. 
 
 (d) Supply of grenades in an attack. 
 
 Practical. (a) Improvement of accuracy and length of throwing 
 hand grenades. 
 
 (6) Use of rifle grenades, rifle-grenade stands, and throwers, 
 (c) Various practices in attack and defense. 
 
 1 The following method of direction should always be used by the observer: " 
 yards front (half right, half left)" (to give thrower the distance and direction of 
 target). 
 
 After a throw: " yards more right (left)" (to correct direction); or "Lengthen 
 yards" (to correct distance); or "Shorten yards" (to correct distance); or "Re- 
 peat " (if grenade has fallen in right place). 
 
41 
 
 (d) Practice in rapid and continuous throwing. 
 
 (e) Throwing at night with live grenades. 
 (/) Methods of "blocking" a trench. 
 
 Great stress must be laid on throwing discipline. One well- 
 placed grenade is worth any amount of grenades thrown indiscrimi- 
 nately. 
 
 USE OF MILLS RIFLE GRENADE, NO. 23. 
 
 The Mills rifle grenade (No. 23) is a short-range grenade. It is 
 principally designed for use in support of hand-grenade bombers or 
 riflemen in an attack on trenches. 
 
 The range that can be obtained increases with the length of the 
 rod. 
 
 With a 6-inch rod the maximum range (at an angle of 45) is ap- 
 proximately 90 yards. 
 
 Rifle bombers armed with the grenade are included in a bombing 
 squad, and therefore all bombers must be trained in their use. 
 
 Throughout the attack the rifle bombers will keep in close touch 
 with the squad leader in order to 
 
 (a) Cover the advance of the bayonet men and throwers, and pro- 
 tect the flanks. 
 
 (&) Clear hostile blocks, arrow heads, and side trenches which are 
 out of range of hand bombers. 
 
 (c) Prevent the enemy from sending up reinforcements and hin- 
 der his bomb supply. 
 
 DIRECTIONS FOR FIRING. 
 
 From the rifle with fixed bayonet and special cup attachment (see 
 pi. E): 
 
 (a) Place the rod of the grenade into the bore and allow the gre- 
 nade to slide down until the base plug rests on the bottom of the 
 cup, the lever being on the opposite side of the cup to the bayonet. 
 
 (6) Insert cartridge. 
 
 (c) Turn safety catch of the rifle to the rear. 
 
 (d) Pull out the pin of the grenade. 
 
 (e) Turn the safety catch of the rifle to the front. 
 (/) Hold the rifle at the required angle and fire. 
 
 The rifle can be fired from three positions (see pis. 7-10A), viz: 
 Kneeling with the butt on the ground. 
 Standing with the rifle in the "on guard" position. 
 Standing firing from the shoulder. 
 
42 
 
 When firing with the rifle in the "on guard" position, care must 
 be taken that the rifle is clear of the hip (see pis. 8 and 8 A). 
 
 The position should be chosen to suit the cover available. When 
 firing standing, the bayonet should not show above the cover. 
 
 STANDARD TESTS. 
 
 1. First test (with dummies). To test accuracy of direction, length 
 of throw, and endurance: 
 
 Position: Standing in a trench or cage 4 feet wide and throwing 
 over a traverse 6 feet high. The bomber is allowed to jump up to 
 get his direction before throwing, but no mark indicating direction 
 may be used. 
 
 Targets (see fig. 9) : (a) Cage (or trench) directly in prolongation 
 of the throwing cage. Height of cage 3 feet, width 4 feet, length 
 at least 30 feet; distance of thrower's traverse to enemy's traverse 
 25 yards. 
 
 (6) and (c). Two cages (or trenches) set at an angle of 45 to the 
 thrower's cage; same dimensions as for (a), but the distance to the 
 enemy's traverse to be 20 yards. 
 
 Number of grenades (dummies), 15: The bomber starts by throw- 
 ing into cage (a). As soon as he has got 3 into the cage, he goes 
 on to cage (&) with the balance of the 15 grenades unused; as soon 
 as he has got 3 into cage (6), he goes on to cage (c) and can expend 
 the balance on getting 2 into cage (c). If the number of grenades 
 is expended before 2 grenades have been thrown into cage (c), the 
 bomber fails to qualify. This test is all one test and must be car- 
 ried through continuously. It will not be divided into three sep- 
 arate tests. 
 
 2. Second test (live grenades'). Three live grenades to be thrown 
 at a target, the officer conducting the test to decide on the man's 
 capability. 
 
 3. Third test. Rifle grenade (No. 23)'. Dummy grenades will 
 be used: 
 
 Target: A cage (or trench) 20 yards long and 4 feet broad, into 
 which the granades are to drop. 
 
 Distance: About 70 to 90 yards. 
 
 Standard: Five grenades to be fired, of which 3 are to pitch 
 inside the target. 
 
 Position: Behind a traverse as in 1. The firer may hold and fire 
 the rifle as desired, so long as his bayooet does not show above the 
 -cover. 
 
43 
 
 4. Fourth test (trench tactics}. Bombers to be tested by working 
 down a trench or such other exercise as the officer conducting the 
 test considers fit. To insure that each man knows the duties of each 
 number in a squad, numbers should be changed round. Questions 
 <*an be asked as desired. 
 
 5. Fifth test. The officer conducting the test will ask questions 
 *-" ascertain that the bomber understands the mechanism and objects 
 
 Arrangement of Caerfor Standard Tests. 
 Fig, 9. 
 
 of all types o"f granades in use, including smoke grenades and candles. 
 He should also be asked questions on German grenades. 
 
 The tests will be carried out in the order named above, except 
 that, if more convenient, test No. 5 may be taken before No. 4. 
 
 These tests must be strictly carried out and will not be conducted 
 by an officer holding an appointment junior to brigade bombing 
 officer. 
 
44 
 
 Only noncommissioned officers and men who pass the above tests 
 will be classified as trained bombers and be entitled to wear the 
 distintive bomber's badge. 1 
 
 A man must qualify in each test and must not go on to the next 
 until he has qualified in the previous one. 
 
 Dress for first, second, and third tests. Drill order with haversack, 
 water bottle, and entrenching implement, but without rifle. (See 
 pis. 5, 5A.) 
 
 1. PHYSICAL EXERCISES FOR BOMBERS. 
 A. INTRODUCTORY EXERCISES. 
 
 1. Leg exercise: *Head forward. Heels raising and knees bend- 
 ing (four times). 
 
 2. Neck exercise: Head turning quickly (3 times in each direc- 
 tion). 
 
 3. Arm exercise: *(d) Arms swinging sideways and upward (six 
 times). *(&) Arms sidewise stretch. Arms swinging forward (four 
 times). Hands to be turned palms facing during the movements 
 (a) and (6). 
 
 4. Trunk exercise : *Feet astride. Arms side stretch. Trunk bend- 
 ing sideways quickly (three times in each direction). 
 
 5. Lunging exercise: *Head forward, feet full outward. Lunging 
 outward (three times each foot). 
 
 B. GENERAL EXERCISES. 
 
 1. Prep, for feet astride. Arms upward stretch: Trunk bending 
 backward (three times). Spring back. Comp. exercise feet astride. 
 Head forward: Trunk bending forward and full downward (twice). 
 
 2. Balancing exercise: Head forward. Leg raising forward, side- 
 ways, and backward (3 times each leg). 
 
 3. Lat. exercise: *(a) Head forward, feet outward place, trunk to the 
 left (right) turn. Trunk bending sideways (three times each side). 
 (Note. Trunk always to be turned and bent toward the rear foot. 
 *(&) Arms bending, feet sideways place: Trunk turning quickly, 
 with arms stretching upward (three times in each direction). 
 
 4. Abdomen exercise: (a) On the hands Arms bending (up to 
 three times). Add later "with leg raising." 
 
 1 All badges previously awarded will continue to be worn. 
 
 * Starred (*) exercises indicate that these are specially adapted for developing the 
 muscles used in bomb throwing. 
 
45 
 
 5. Dorsal exercise: Arms bending, F. sidewise placed, trunk for- 
 ward bending Arms stretching sidewise. Later, arms stretching 
 upward. 
 
 Or Feet astride. Anns upward stretching, trunk forward bending. 
 Arms swinging downward and backward. 
 
 6. Marching exercise: Quick march. Double march. 1 Marching 
 on the toes. To be done each time. 
 
 * Quick sprints. 
 
 Relay race, 2 or a short sharp game to develop speed and wind. 
 (Only for a few minutes, but with energy and dash.) 
 
 7. Jumping and vaulting exercise: 
 
 *(a) Upward jumping, with arms swinging sideways and upward. 
 *(&) Upward jumping, with arms swinging upward. 
 
 (c) Running forward and jumping high and long jumps off a mark, 
 with rifles and fixed bayonets. 
 
 (d) Vaulting over beams, walls, etc., as available. 
 
 (e) Jumping into and getting out of shallow and deep trenches. 
 N. B. Only one or two of the above exercises daily, according to 
 
 time available, until the men are proficient. When proficient they 
 can be run over an obstacle course, which should include obstacles 
 that will cause them to put into practice all they have been taught 
 hitherto, but in a more practical form. 
 
 C. FINAL EXERCISES. 
 
 1. Leg exercise: Heel raise (four times). 
 
 2. Trunk exercise, head forward: Trunk turning (twice in each 
 direction). 
 
 3. Correction exercise: Arms raising forward and upward, lower- 
 ing sidewise and downward (until the action of the heart and lungs 
 is eased). 
 
 Note. Quickening exercises, for the purpose of relieving mono- 
 tony and instilling dash, should be introduced here and there during 
 the table. 
 
 1 This should not be done in the ordinary double time; but, in order that the men 
 may learn to make full use of their legs in getting over the ground, every attention 
 should be paid to developing a long springy stride on the toes. 
 
 2 Dummy bombs or small sandbags of approximate weight should be carried to 
 accustom men, when moving rapidly, to pass bombs to each other without dropping 
 them. 
 
 * Starred (*) exercises indicate that these are specially adapted for developing the 
 muscles used in bomb throwing. 
 
46 
 
 II. THROWING PRACTICE. 
 
 In order to utilize the throwing muscles, developed individually 
 by exercises, they must be capable of coordinated action. This is 
 best developed by actual throwing practice. 
 
 A convenient and practical method of developing this coordination 
 of the throwing muscles is by means of "medicine" bag practice. 
 
 A "medicine " bag can be made of strong canvas filled loosely with 
 sand (damped before using), dried peas, beans, etc., in weight 
 about 2 pounds. 
 
 This practice is carried out by two men, standing from 8 to 12 
 paces apart, throwing the bag from one to the other. The bag must 
 be thrown or bowled with the correct bomb-throwing action, slowly 
 and deliberately, so that each muscle is brought into use. The 
 thrower must endeavor to make a ' l good shot " with the bag and throw 
 it into the opposite man's hands, which should be held close up 
 against the chest, open and ready to catch the bag. The bag is 
 caught and thrown or bowled back in the same manner. 
 
 The practice should cease as soon as the throwers feel the strain 
 and commence to lose the correct throwing positions; the practice 
 throughout must never be hurried. 
 
 This training can be carried out by big classes, and in a room as 
 well as in the open. Not only are the throwing muscles trained and 
 the length of throw increased, but good direction and alertness are 
 developed. 
 
 METHOD OF USING THE RIFLE AND BAYONET WHEN 
 ATTACKING ROUND A TRAVERSE. 
 
 1. Only men specially skilled with the bayonet should be selected 
 as "bayonet men" with bombing squads. They must act as scouts 
 as well as protectors to the bombers. 
 
 2. (1) When making an attack round left traverse (fig. 10A and 
 fig. 11). ( 
 
 The rifle is held at what may be described as the "low port," 
 i. e., slanting across the body, the bayonet pointing upward and 
 close to the left shoulder; the left hand close to the left breast and 
 grasping the rifle just behind the piling swivel; the right hand just 
 behind the back sight. 
 
 Left foot forward, and the weight of the body poised for an imme- 
 diate dash round the traverse with the right foot, at the same time 
 as the bayonet is swung down to deliver a "point." 
 
 (2) For an attack round a right traverse vice versa. 
 
47 
 
 3. (1) When working round a left traverse to make an attack on 
 any enemy low down on the ground, in a "dug-out," etc. (fig. 12). 
 
 The rifle point downward, the small of the butt passi g under the 
 right armpit, the point of the bayonet just off the ground; the right 
 
 B 
 
 Fig. 10. ATTACKING ROUND -A LEFT TRAVERSE, (Back view,) 
 
 Fig. 11. ATTACKING ROUND A LEFT TRAVERSE (Front view.) 
 
 hand grasping the rifle just behind the back sight, left hand just 
 below the piling swivel; the left foot forward, and the weight of the 
 body distributed ready to make an immediate dash round the 
 traverse and to deliver a point. 
 
 (2) For an attack round a right traverse, vice versa. 
 
48 
 
 4. When moving along trenches in file (except the leading man) 
 (Fig. IDs): 
 
 The rifle held close up against the right side with the finger 
 through the trigger guard i. e., the old "short shoulder." 
 
 The leading man should carry his rifle in the position of imme- 
 diate readiness described in 2 (i) viz, the "low port." (Note. 
 In these positions the rifles do not protrude beyond the traverse, 
 nor show above the trench.) 
 
 Fig. 12. 
 
 Attacking round a left traverse, 
 rifle held ready to make a 
 downward point with the 
 bayonet. 
 
 5. Instructions to be observed by "bayonet men": 
 
 (1) Never go round a corner without being on the alert. 
 
 (2) Learn to use the bayonet with skill when the rifle is gripped 
 behind the backsight with either the left or the right hand. 
 
 (3) Become an adept in all "knock-out" methods with the 
 rifle, etc., and be able to make a "point" even when lying on the 
 ground. 
 
 (4) For night work the bayonet should be dulled. 
 
APPENDIX II. 
 GRENADE CARRIERS. 
 
 The following patterns of grenade carriers have been found gen- 
 erally useful : 
 
 (a) Bucket carrier (fig. 13). This is a canvas bucket with double 
 bottom. It is carried by a sling of adjustable length, and will 
 hold 20 Mills grenades. It is closed by a cord. 
 
 A very efficient backet carrier can be made from an ordinary 
 sandbag, doubled over at the top, with a side and bottom stiffen- 
 ing of wire petting and a rope handle. 
 
 Care should be taken that the safety-pins are not bent when 
 grenades are carried in a bucket. 
 
 (6) Belt bag carrier. A canvas bag with steel hook, to be carried 
 on waist belt and hold four Mills grenades. The bag is closed by 
 a piece of string. Various other types are in use. 
 
 (c) Waistcoat pattern, with pockets, to carry 10 Mills grenades. 
 
 97777 17 4 (49) 
 
APPENDIX III. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF BRITISH GRENADES AND INSTRUC 
 TIONS FOR THEIR USE. 
 
 A. The following types of grenades are now in use: Mills grenade, 
 grenade, hand, No. 5; Hales rifle grenade (with wind vane), grenade, 
 rifle, No. 3; Hales rifle grenade (vaneless), grenade, rifle, No. 20; 
 Mills grenade to be fired from rifle, grenade, No. 23. 
 
 B. The following grenades should be available shortly: Pippin 
 rifle grenade, grenade, rifle, No. 22; Hales rifle grenade (vaneless 
 improved), grenade, rifle, No. 24. 
 
 In the descriptions which follow the grenades are arranged in order 
 of their numbers. A description of the P grenade is given after 
 No. 24. 
 
 HALES RIFLE GRENADE, SHORT RIFLE, NO. 3, MARK I 
 (PERCUSSION). 
 
 [Weight complete, 1 pound 5 ounces. Mean maximum range, 185 yards.) 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 (See PI. B, fig. 1.) 
 
 Body. Serrated steel, filled with explosives. Down the center 
 of the explosive is a brass tube into the forward end of which the 
 detonator is inserted. The body is closed by the base piece. This 
 carries the striker pellet, two retaining bolts, wind vane, releasing 
 socket, and safety pin. To the base piece is fixed a base plug carry- 
 ing the spring clip and a 10-inch steel rod. 
 
 Detonator holder (see pi. F, fig. 3}. Consists of a special brass tube 
 which screws into the head of the grenade. It is 2^ inches long and 
 contains a detonator and detonator cap. Until the detonator is 
 inserted the head of the grenade is closed by an ebonite screw plug. 
 
 Cartridge. A special blank cartridge is supplied to fire the grenade. 
 
 Action. The action of the grenade on being fired is as follows: The 
 wind vane revolves as the grenade travels through the air; after a 
 few turns of the vane the retaining bolts are no longer held in position 
 by its inner surface and fall out; on impact the striker pellet sets 
 
 (50) 
 
51 
 
 forward against the creep spring onto the detonator cap, thus firing 
 the grenade. 
 
 This grenade is very safe to handle, as it can not be fired by knock- 
 ing or dropping on the ground ; it must travel through the air some 
 distance before the retaining bolts fall out. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use: 
 
 1. Holding the grenade head down so as to make certain that the 
 needle is not free, remove the ebonite screw plug. 
 . 2. If correct, screw in the detonator holder. 
 To fire: 
 
 1. Lower the rod into the barrel of the rifle, and clip over the 
 muzzle. 
 
 2. Load the rifle with the special blank cartridge. 
 
 3. Immediately before firing withdraw the safety pin. 
 
 If, after the safety pin has been removed, the grenade is not used, 
 the safety pin may be replaced if the wind vane has not unscrewed 
 and uncovered the two retaining bolts; but if these are uncovered 
 the grenade is in a dangerously sensitive condition, and if so found 
 should be destroyed. 
 
 Special precautions to be adopted when firing No. 3 rifle grenade 
 (either with or without pin on wind vane): 
 
 1. The grenade should be tapped on the palm of the hand before 
 inserting the detonator, to insure that the striker pellet is properly 
 held in place by the retaining bolts. 
 
 2. The wind vane and the releasing socket must not be tampered 
 with. 
 
 3. The safety pin must not be removed before the grenade has 
 been inserted in the rifle. 
 
 4. The detonator holders of No. 2 and No. 3 grenades are of slightly 
 different lengths, but otherwise very similar (see PI. F, figs. 2 and 3). 
 Care should be taken not to mix them up. A No. 2 detonator holder 
 in a No. 3 grenade would probably cause a blind; the correct detona- 
 tor holders are supplied in the grenade box. 
 
 5. The grenade must not be fired with a cartridge with a bullet in it 
 (ball cartridge}, as this may burst the rifle. 
 
 6. The rod should be oiled, but only slightly, before placing it in 
 the barrel of rifle. 
 
 Inspection. The following points should be noticed: 
 
 1. That the wind vane is covering the retaining bolts. 
 
 2. That the releasing socket and safety pin are correctly in place. 
 
52 
 
 3. That the striker pellet is held correctly by the retaining bolts, 
 which fit into a groove in it and should prevent it from moving. 
 
 4. That the creep spring is in position over the striker pellet. 
 
 5. That the screw thread and cavity for the detonator holder are 
 clean and clear. 
 
 6. That the rod is straight and clean. 
 
 7. That the metal at the lower end of the detonator holder is cor- 
 rectly turned in over the detonator cap, so that the latter is securely 
 held. If it is not, the cap may come out on the shock of discharge, 
 strike the. needle, and so cause a premature. 
 
 Packing. The wooden box provided contains 12 grenades, 12 
 " detonators, rifle grenades" (which are detonator holders complete 
 with detonators), and 12 special blank cartridges in a tin box. 
 
 GRENADE, HAND, NO. 5, MARK I, OR MILLS' HAND 
 GRENADE (TIME). 
 
 [Weight complete, 1 pound 6J ounces.] 
 DESCRIPTION (see PL B, Jig. 2). 
 
 Body. Cast iron, serated to provide numerous missiles on deto- 
 nation. Into one end is screwed a center piece with separate re- 
 ces33fi for the striker and the detonator. 
 
 The striker is kept cocked against its spring by its head catching 
 on the end of the striker lever when the latter is lying against the 
 body of the grenade. 
 
 The lever is retained in this position by the safety pin. 
 
 Igniter (see PI. F, fig. 4). This is a separate unit, consisting of 
 cap, cap chamber, safety fuse, and detonator (No. 6, which is If 
 laches long, No. 8 being 2| inches). (See PI. F, figs. 7 and 8.) 
 
 On withdrawal oi the safety pin, the lever swings outward under 
 the pull of the striker spring, thus releasing the striker which fires 
 the cap. The safety fuse burns about five seconds and then fires 
 the detonator. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use: 
 
 1. Examine the safety pin and see that it is easy to withdraw. 
 
 2. Unscrew the base plug and insert igniter. 
 
 3. Screw in the base plug with the key provided, taking care 
 that it is screwed home. The lead base plugs which are sometimes 
 supplied must be screwed in with care, otherwise the projections 
 may be injured. 
 
53 
 
 To throw: 
 
 1. Hold the grenade in the right hand in such a position that the 
 lever is held securely against the body of the grenade by the fingers, 
 with the lever along the second joints of the fingers. 
 
 2. Withdraw the safety pin with the left hand, using a hook if 
 preferred, still keeping a firm grip on the lever. 
 
 3. Throw the grenade. 
 Special precautions: 
 
 1. Do not release the lever before throwing the grenade. 
 
 2. It is essential that the lever should be held securely against 
 the body of the grenade, otherwise the collar which holds back the 
 striker may release it and so ignite the fuse. 
 
 3. The precautions against using grenades as filled grenades after 
 they have been used as dummies for practice is particularly applica- 
 ble to this type. 
 
 4. Before inserting igniter see that the safety pin is not broken or 
 badly corroded, and that the fuse is not cracked or damaged, ac 
 these defects may accelerate time of burning. 
 
 Inspection. The following points should be noticed: 
 
 1. That there are two striking points on the perimeter of the lower 
 end of the striker, and not one central point. A central point as 
 used in Stokes 's mortar bombs will cause a premature explosion 
 in a Mills grenade. 
 
 2. That the safety split pin is not broken or badly corroded and 
 that the ends are correctly splayed, so that the pin can not be jolted 
 out. but yet is not too difficult to withdraw. 
 
 3. That the jaws of the lever are a good fit and hold the top of the 
 striker correctly. 
 
 4. That the wax seal around the top of the striker is unbroken. 
 
 5. That the mouth of the detonator is closely crimped around the 
 safety fuse, so that no flash can enter the detonator except through 
 the fuse. 
 
 6. That the fuse is in good condition and not cracked or damaged 
 by being bent, and is not loose in the cap. 
 
 It has been found by experiment that no danger attaches to the 
 partition between the recesses for the striker and the detonator 
 being thin or holed . Even with the partition completely cut away 
 no prematures have taken place. 
 
 Mills 's grenades for use as rifle grenades must have solid, and not 
 recessed, base plugs. 
 
 Packing. The grenades are packed 12 in a wooden box, with a 
 cylinder containing 12 igniters. 
 
54 
 
 VANELESS RIFLE GRENADE, NO. 20. 
 
 [Weight complete, 1 pound 6 ounces. Mean maximum range, 250 yards.! 
 DESCRIPTION (see PI. C). 
 
 This grenade is an improved form of No. 3 without the wind 
 vane and spring clip. The safety pin is below the releasing collar. 
 
 Body. Serrated steel filled with explosive. Down the center 
 of the explosive is a brass tube, into the forward end of which the 
 detonator is inserted. The body is closed by the base piece. This 
 carries the striker pellet, two retaining bolts, releasing socket, and 
 safety pin. To the base piece is fixed a 10-inch steel rod. 
 
 Detonator holder (see PI. F, fig. 3}. Consists of a special brass 
 tube which screws into the head of the grenade. It contains a 
 detonator and detonator cap. Until the detonator holder is inserted 
 the head of the grenade is closed by an ebonite screw plug. 
 
 Cartridge. A special blank cartridge is supplied to fire the 
 grenade. 
 
 Action. On the shock of discharge, the releasing socket sets back; 
 the retaining bolts are no longer held in position by its inner surface, 
 and fall out. On impact the striker pellet sets forward against the 
 creep spring onto the detonator cap, thus firing the grenade. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use: 
 
 1. Holding the grenade head downward, remove the ebonite 
 screw plug, and tap the grenade on the hand, so as to make certain 
 that the striker is not free. 
 
 2. If correct, screw in the detonator holder. 
 To fire: 
 
 1. Lower the rod into the barrel of the rifle. 
 
 2. Load the rifle with the special cartridge. 
 
 3. Immediately before firing withdraw the safety pin. If the 
 grenade is not fired the safety pin may be replaced. 
 
 Special precautions: 
 
 1. The grenade should be tapped on the palm of the hand before 
 inserting the detonator holder, to insure that the striker pellet is 
 properly held in place by the retaining bolts. 
 
 2. The releasing socket must not be tampered with. 
 
 3. After withdrawing the safety pin it should be noticed that the 
 releasing socket is still in its right position ; it may slip back (thus 
 releasing the retaining bolts) if it has not been properly secured 
 over the retaining rim during manufacture. A grenade in this 
 
55 
 
 condition is dangerous, and would probably explode prematurely at the 
 muzzle. 
 
 4. The safety pin must not be Withdrawn before the grenade has 
 been inserted in the rifle. 
 
 5. The grenade must not be fired with a cartridge with a bullet in it 
 (ball cartridge), as this may burst the rifle. 
 
 6. The rod should be oiled, but only slightly, before placing it in 
 the barrel. 
 
 7. The detonator holders for grenades No. 2 and No. 20 (see pi. F, 
 figs. 2 and 3) are of slightly different lengths, but otherwise very 
 similar. Care should be taken not to mix them up ; a No. 2 detonator 
 holder in a No. 20 grenade would probably lead to a blind. The 
 correct detonator holders complete with detonators are supplied in 
 the grenade box. 
 
 Inspection. The following points should be noticed: 
 
 1. That the releasing socket and safety pin are correctly in place. 
 
 2. That the striker pellet is correctly held by the retaining bolts, 
 which fit into a groove in it and should prevent it from moving. 
 
 3. That the creep spring is in position over the striker pellet. 
 
 4. That the screw thread and cavity for the detonator are clean 
 and clear. 
 
 5. That the rod is straight and clean. 
 
 6. That the metal at the lower end of the detonator tube is correctly 
 turned in over the detonator cap, so that the latter is securely held. 
 If it is not, the cap may come out on the shock of discharge, strike 
 the needle and so cause a premature. 
 
 Packing. The wooden box provided contains 12 grenades, 12 
 detonator holders (containing detonators) in a tin box, and 12 special 
 blank cartridges in a tin box. 
 
 PIPPIN RIFLE GRENADE, No. 22, MARK I. 1 
 
 [Weight complete, 1 pound 9J ounces. Mean maximum range, 300 yards. This 
 is a modification of the extemporized " Newton" grenade. 
 
 DESCRIPTION (See pi. D). 
 
 Body. The grenade consists of a cast-iron, stream-line body with 
 a flat head, serrated on the outside. A 15-inch rod is screwed into 
 the pointed end and fitted with a copper gas check. In the center 
 of the flat head is a hole; into this, after the grenade has been filled 
 
 1 The final pattern of No. 22 is not yet definitely settled, and the description given 
 here may require modification later. 
 
56 
 
 with ammonal, a paper tube with a solid end is forced down and 
 waxed in. This tube takes the special detonator. 
 
 Cap. Over the head of the grenade is a detachable pressed steel 
 cap, the sides of which have been cut away, leaving four projecting 
 lugs, each with a formed hole in it. These lugs fit over four pro- 
 jections cast on the body. The cap is fitted with a safety pin. 
 
 Detonator "holder (See PI. F, fig. 5). Consists of an ordinary .303 
 rifle cartridge case before undergoing the operation of necking, 
 fitted with a percussion cap only. Inside is an ordinary No. 8 de- 
 tonator packed round with waxed paper, with the end spun over. 
 A tin safety strip is fitted to the base of the cartridge case which 
 covers the cap; this must be perforated by the striker before it can 
 reach the cap. 
 
 Action. The grenade, owing to the rod, falls on its head. On 
 coming in contact with the ground the steel cap is driven up and 
 forces the striker through the safety strip into the cap of the car- 
 tridge. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use: 
 
 1. Remove the steel cap by the lever supplied with each box of 
 grenades. 
 
 2. Push the detonator holder down into the grenade until the rim 
 of the cartridge case comes in contact with the body. 
 
 3. Replace the steel cap. 
 
 NOTE. The safety pin must not be removed during the above 
 operations. 
 To fire: 
 
 1. Lower the rod into the barrel of the rifle. 
 
 2. Load the rifle with the special cartridge. 
 
 3. Immediately before firing, withdraw the safety pin. 
 Special precautions: 
 
 1. The safety pin must not be removed before the grenade has 
 been inserted in the rifle. 
 
 2. The grenade must not be fired with a cartridge with a bullet 
 in it (ball cartridge), as this may burst the rifle. 
 
 3. Only the special detonator holders and cartridges provided 
 must be used. 
 
 4. The rod should be oiled, but only slightly, before placing it in 
 barrel of rifle. 
 
 5. Owing to the grenade being armed as soon as the safety pin has 
 been removed it is advisable to fire it from behind cover. 
 
57 
 
 Packing. The wooden box provided contains 12 grenades, 12 
 detonator holders with detonators in a tin box, and 12 rifle grenade 
 cartridges in another tin box. 
 
 MILLS' RIFLE GRENADE, NO. 23, MARK I. 
 
 [Weight, complete, 1 pound 8 ounces; mean maximum range (with 6-inch rod),. 
 
 90 yards.] 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 (See PL E). 
 
 Body. This is a No. 5 (Mills) grenade with a short rod, 5^-6 inches 
 long, screwed into the base plug of the grenade. The hole in the base 
 plug is filled with wax or luting when issued, in order to keep the 
 grenade damp-proof in case the rod is not required. 
 
 Cartridge. A special blank cartridge is supplied to fire the gren- 
 ade. 
 
 Ring attachment. In order to keep the lever of the grenade in 
 place after the safety pin has been removed previous to firing, a, 
 ring attachment is fixed to the rifle by means of the bayonet; it is so 
 constructed that it can be used either with the long or short bayonet.. 
 
 This attachment can not be used with the long rifle (owing to the- 
 lack of space between the bayonet and the bore of the rifle). A 
 special attachment is necessary in this case to take the place of the 
 bayonet. 
 
 Action. When the grenade is shot out of the rifle the lever is no 
 longer held down by the ring attachment and the normal (Mills) 
 grenade action follows. 
 
 With a 5^-inch rod the maximum range is 80 yards with the 
 rifle at an elevation of 45. 
 
 Variation of range is obtained by altering the elevation of the 
 rifle. The rifle may be fired from the shoulder or hip, as there is, 
 very little recoil. 
 
 The grenade without the rod can be used as a hand grenade. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use : 
 
 1. Unscrew the base plug and insert the igniter. 
 
 2. Screw in the base plug with the key provided, taking care 
 that it is screwed home. 
 
 3. When required as a rifle grenade, screw in the short rod. 
 To fire: 
 
 1. Fix the ring attachment to the bayonet. 
 
 2. Fix the bayonet. 
 
58 
 
 3. Lower the rod into the rifle until the grenade is within the ring 
 attachment and the lever is held by the ring. 
 
 4. Load the rifle with the special cartridge. 
 
 5. Immediately before firing, withdraw the safety pin. 
 Special precautions: 
 
 1. When inserting the igniter see that the fuze is not cracked or 
 damaged, as this may accelerate time of burning. 
 
 2. The lever must be held securely by the ring against the body 
 of the grenade. 
 
 3. The safety pin must not be withdrawn before the grenade is 
 inserted in the ring attachment. 
 
 4. The grenade must not be fired with a cartridge with a bullet 
 in it (ball cartridge), as this may burst the rifle. 
 
 5. The rod should be oiled, but only slightly, before placing it 
 in the barrel. 
 
 6. The rod must be firmly screwed in. 
 
 Inspection. In addition to the points noticed under No. 5 (Mills) 
 .grenade : 
 
 1. Only grenades with solid base plugs should be used for rifle 
 .grenades, as otherwise the rod is liable to break the plug and cause 
 .a premature. 
 
 2. The hole in the base plug should be filled with wax or luting. 
 Packing. The wooden box provided contains 12 grenades, 12 
 
 igniter sets, 12 rods, and 12 cartridges. 
 
 HALES RIFLE GRENADE (VANELESS IMPROVED), 
 No. 24, MARK I. 
 
 Description. This grenade is a modified form of No. 20, from which 
 it differs in the following particulars: 
 
 (a) The exterior of the body is serrated in horizontal rings only; 
 there are no longitudinal serrations. 
 
 (6) The releasing socket is 1 inch long, instead of If inches, and 
 the brass base is correspondingly shorter. The lower end of the 
 brass base is not belled, so that the socket drops oft' about 10 yards 
 from the rifle. 
 
 (c) The detonator container is 2 inches long, instead of 2| inches, 
 and its milled top is a sleeve, instead of turned out of the solid. 
 
 (d) The striker is one-half inch shorter and the needle point is 
 blunt. 
 
 (e) The tube up the center of the body is shortened so that only 
 the end of the detonator container engages in it, whereas in No. 20 
 the tube comes right up to the top of the body. 
 
 The action and instructions are the same as for No. 20. 
 
59 
 
 PIPPIN GRENADE. 
 
 [Weight complete, 1 pound, 8 ounces.] 
 
 Description. The bomb consists of a tin cylinder 3 inches in 
 diameter and 5 inches long. In one end is soldered a detonator 
 tube and a short length of copper vrJL 3 for binding purposes. The 
 cylinder is filled with red phosphorus. 
 
 The bomb when exploded produces a thick white smoke; the 
 phosphorus thrown out causes burns, and may cause fires. 
 
 The detonator supplied is the ordinary No. 8, fitted with 9 seconds 
 fuze and Brock lighter. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use: Insert the detonator in the detonator tube 
 and bind in place with the copper wire. 
 
 To fire: Tear off the tape from Brock lighter and rub black blob 
 of composition so exposed with the brassard supplied. 
 
 Precautions: Wherever stored, the grenades should be examined 
 from time to time to see that the tins have not become corroded or 
 rusted through into holes, as there is a danger of fire when the phos- 
 phorus is exposed to the atmosphere. 
 
 Packing: The grenades are packed 12 in a box, which also con- 
 tains a tin of 12 detonators, fuses and fuse lighters, and two brassards. 
 
APPENDIX IV. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF GERMAN GRENADES AND INSTRUC- 
 TIONS FOR THEIR USE. 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 Descriptions of certain German grenades are given below. The 
 first, third, and fourth are most commonly found, and are alone men- 
 tioned in documents recently captured. The last, the hairbrush 
 (improvised hand grenade), was described in textbooks issued before 
 the war. 
 
 1. Cylindrical hand grenade with handle (time fuse). 
 
 2. Cylindrical hand grenade with handle (percussion). 
 
 3. Egg hand grenade. 
 
 4. Rifle grenade, 1914. 
 
 5. Rifle grenade, 1913. 
 
 6. Disk hand grenade. 
 
 7. Spherical hand grenade. 
 
 8. Parachute grenade. 
 
 9. Small tin hand grenade. 
 
 10. Cylindrical hand grenade with spring igniter. 
 
 11. Hairbrush hand grenade with spring igniter. 
 
 German hand grenades which have been found are of two types: 
 Those which have the appearance of service articles and those which 
 are obviously improvised. With the latter, great care is invariably 
 taken to protect the charge from damp, and to render it flashproof by 
 waxing., etc. 
 
 The hand grenades are both time and percussion. With the 
 former, the time of burning is about 6 seconds, and the fuse is ignited 
 by one of the following methods: 
 
 1. Spring striker and cap. (See pi. P., figs. 1 and 2, and pi. Q.) 
 
 2. Friction tube. (See pis. G, J, and N.) 
 
 3. Match-head lighter. (See pi. P, fig. 3.) 
 Attached to fuse and detonator. 
 
 The following precautions should be taken with any grenades that 
 may be found or captured: 
 
 1. The grenades should be examined at once by a bomber, in order 
 to find out whether they are live, how they are fired, etc. 
 
 (60) 
 
61 
 
 2. The means of firing will probably be immediately apparent to 
 a trained bomber, but during examination grenades should ne 
 handled with care. 
 
 3. No man who does not understand grenades should touch them, 
 but should report the presence of a store of grenades to the nearest 
 bomber, N. C. O. or officer. 
 
 4. When used against the enemy, a grenade should be thrown as 
 soon as it is "lit," even if there is no apparent evidence of the fuse 
 burning. 
 
 5. Arrangements for removing, storing, or destroying grenades 
 found in a captured position should be made as soon as possible by 
 bombing officers. 
 
 6. Bombing officers will also be responsible that, when samples 
 of grenades are taken back to headquarters for examination, the 
 grenades are not in a dangerous condition, and the detonators have 
 been removed. 
 
 1. CYLINDRICAL HAND GRENADE WITH HANDLE AND 
 TIME FUSE, REGULATION TYPE. 
 
 STIELHANDGKANATE B.Z. 1 
 
 [Weight, 1 pound 13 ounces.] 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 (See PL G, figs. 1 and 2.) 
 
 Body. Tin cylinder, 4 inches by 2| inches diameter, containing 
 a cartridge of explosive. The full charge is 300 gr. (10.5 oz.), but 
 part of the space is sometimes filled by a wooden block. 
 
 The top is closed by a lid held in place by four clips; at the bottom 
 there is a screw-threaded hole to take the handle. The bottom of 
 the cartridge is fitted with a paper tube for the detonator. On the 
 side of the body there is a hook, by means of which the grenade can 
 be attached to the belt. 
 
 The inscription on the body, "Vor Gebrauch Sprengkapsel 
 einsetzen" means "Before use insert the detonator." 
 
 Handle. Wooden, about 9 inches long, with a metal top screwed 
 to fit the body. It is bored axially to take the igniter and [wire pull . 
 In the latest pattern a screwed metal cap is fitted to the end, which 
 protects the string loop attached to the wire pull (fig. .3, PL G). 
 
 i Generally known as the "jampot and stick" grenade. 
 
62 
 
 Method of ignition. The means of ignition consist of a friction 
 lighter and safety fuse, contained in a cardboard tube. The igniter 
 is actuated by pulling a string loop at the end of the handle. This 
 loop is attached to the wire pull of the friction tube. In the old 
 pattern the string loop is fixed to the handle by means of a paper 
 band, but in the new pattern a porcelain button is attached to the 
 loop in order to afford a better grip ; a hollow is formed in the end of 
 the handle and covered by means of a screwed metal or cardboard 
 cover. When issued the string loop and button are coiled up in the 
 hollow and are protected by the cover. The mouth of the detonator 
 fits into a brass tube at the top of the igniter, and is fired by the 
 flash from a dab of phosphorus at the end of the safety fuse. Time 
 of burning, 5^ or 7 seconds, as marked on the handle. 
 
 Safety arrangements: 
 
 1. The grenade and detonator are kept separate during carriage. 
 
 2. The string loop is either attached to the handle by a paper band 
 or contained in a metal or cardboard cover. The paper band or the 
 cover should only be removed just before firing. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use : 
 
 1. Unscrew the handle and see if the detonator is in position; if 
 it is, refix the handle. 
 
 2. Hold the grenade in the right hand. 
 
 3. Tear off the paper band with left hand or unscrew the metal 
 cover, or remove cardboard cover, as the case may be. 
 
 4 . Pull loop or button with left hand . 
 
 5. Throw immediately. 
 
 If the detonator is not in position, search should be made for a 
 supply of the proper detonators. Fit the mouth of the detonator 
 into the projecting brass tube, screw in the handle, and then proceed 
 as in 2, 3, 4, and 5 above. 
 
 To render useless: 
 
 1 . Unscrew handle , remove detonator. 
 
 2. Pull string loop, which will light the fuse, and throw handle 
 away. 
 
 [Note. The red grenade found in some boxes is a dummy without 
 fuse, detonator, or exploder.] 
 
63 
 
 2. CYLINDRICAL HAND GRENADE WITH HANDLE (PER- 
 CUSSION), REGULATION TYPE. 
 
 STIEL OR "WILHELM'S" HANDGRANATE, Az. 1 
 (Weight, 1 pound 12 ounces or 1 pound 5 ounces. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 (see PL H.) 
 
 This grenade is similar in general outward appearance to the 
 "jampot and stick" grenade (time fuse), just described. The 
 differences are: 
 
 1. The end of the handle (see below), which may have a wire 
 loop projecting from it. 
 
 2. The diameter of the cylinder is 1 inch greater than that of the 
 time-fuse pattern. 
 
 3. It has no hook on the side of the cylinder. 
 
 Body. Tin cylinder, 4 inches long (marked 6.2 inches in one 
 drawing, though it only scales 4 inches) by 3| inches in diameter. 
 It contains a cartridge of 7 oz. according to one account, 15.8 oz. 
 according to another, of explosive. The top is closed by a lid; at 
 the bottom there is a screw-threaded hole to take the handle. The 
 bottom of the cartridge is recessed and lined with cardboard to 
 receive the detonator, etc. 
 
 Handle. Partly metal and partly wood, about 9 inches long. 
 The metal top contains the firing arrangements and is screwed to 
 fit the body. The wooden part is bored axially to take the safety 
 pin. In one description the loop of the wire safety pin projects 
 from the end of the handle; in the other there is a weight attached 
 to the end of the pin which is secured in a metal screw cap on the 
 end of the handle. 
 
 Action. This is not quite clear from the plate. It is described 
 as follows: The firing arrangement consists of a striker and a safety 
 device. On throwing, the safety pin is withdrawn by the weight 
 flying out in one pattern, by hand in the other; the spring cover 
 then flies off and withdraws the safety wire from the striker bolt, 
 which is then only held by the ball and the flat spring. On strik- 
 ing the ground, the ball and flat spring fall out from their seatings; 
 
 i Two official descriptions of this grenade were among the documents captured in 
 August, 1916; but no specimen of it has been received at G. H. Q The two descrip- 
 tions vary slightly as regards the method of removing the safety pin and the amount 
 of explosive. 
 
64 
 
 the striker bolt is therefore free, and is driven by its spring on to 
 the cap. 
 
 Safety arrangements: 
 
 1. The grenade and detonator are kept separate during carriage. 
 
 2. Safety pin and safety wire (as described under "Action"). 
 
 3. Cord which holds safety pin (or cap which keeps the weight 
 secured). 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use: 
 
 1. Unscrew the handle and remove filling from detonator recess. 
 
 2. Insert detonator in its place and replace the handle. 
 To throw: 
 
 1. Remove the safety cord (or unscrew the cap on the end of the 
 handle. 
 
 2. If there is a loop at the end of the safety pin (and no weight), 
 place the little finger of the right hand in the loop. 
 
 3. Grasp the handle with right hand and throw. The arm must 
 be raised high and as much force as possible used, even if the target 
 is near; otherwise the grenade may not be armed. 
 
 To render useless: 
 
 If the safety pin has not been pulled out, unscrew handle and 
 remove the detonator. 
 
 Care must be taken in throwing not to hit the grenade against 
 anything or it may explode. 
 
 As long as the safety pin is in the handle, the grenade is safe to 
 handle and it will not detonate if struck or allowed to fall. 
 
 Blinds are extremely dangerous to handle. 
 
 3. EGG HAND GRENADE (EIERHANDGRANATE). 
 
 [Weight, 11 ounces, but patterns vary slightly. 1 ) 
 Can be thrown about 50 yards. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 (See pi. J.) 
 
 Body. Cast iron, egg-shaped, about 60 mm. (2.3 inches) long by 
 45 mm. (1.77 inches) diameter, with a screwed hole at one end to 
 receive the igniter. It is filled with a special powder which does 
 not require a detonator. 
 
 Method of ignition. The igniter is a lead alloy tube which screws 
 into the body and contains a fuse; on one end is fitted a metal cap, 
 
65 
 
 containing the friction lighter, which is operated by pulling a wire 
 loop either by hand or by a wrist strap. 
 
 Two igniters are supplied No. 1, with 8 seconds fuse for grenades 
 thrown by mechanical means; No. 2, with 5 seconds fuse for grenades 
 thrown by hand. 
 
 Safety arrangements: The igniter is carried separate from the 
 grenade ; a small lead plug is screwed into the body and must be re- 
 moved before the igniter can be inserted. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use: 
 
 1. Unscrew and remove lead plug. 
 
 2. Screw in igniter. 
 
 It is important when screwing in the igniter to keep the grenade 
 upright, so that no powder can get into the screw threads. 
 
 To throw: Pull the wire loop either by hand or by a wrist strap 
 and throw in the usual way. 
 
 To render useless: Unscrew the igniter. 
 
 4. RIFLE GRENADE, 1914. PERCUSSION 
 (GEWEHRGRANATE). 
 
 [Weight about 2 pounds; maximum mean range, 380 yards.] 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 (See pi. K). 
 
 Body. Cast iron, 0.2 inch thick, painted field gray and serrated 
 to give fragments of sufficient size on detonation. The charge (2| 
 ounces) is made up in a thin cardboard cylinder, which is retained 
 in the grenade by a shoulder piece screwing on to the body. The 
 nose of the grenade is screw- threaded to take the percussion fuse, 
 and the base to take a nipple for a tin disk and tail rod with gas 
 check. Until the fuse is inserted the nose is protected from dust 
 and damp by a plug and leather washer. 
 
 Method of ignition. The percussion fuse contains an exploding 
 charge with detonater and cap. The last-named is set off by a 
 striker pellet screwed into the socket of the fuse. The needle of 
 the pellet is hinged and lies flat on top of the cap when in the safety 
 position, but is pulled and maintained erect by the spring in the 
 striker pellet as soon as the pellet moves forward after firing. 
 
 97777 17 5 
 
66 
 
 Safety arrangements: 
 
 1. The striker pellet is retained in position by a locking ball, which 
 rests in a recess in the pellet. This ball is prevented from falling 
 out by a locking ring which 'is held up by a flat spring with curved 
 ends. On the rifle being fired' the locking ring overcomes the spring 
 and sets back, and the locking ball is driven out of its recess by the 
 striker pellet, which, acting under the pressure of its spring, moves 
 forward out of the body together with the nose of the fuse. At the 
 same time the needle pellet spring pulls up the needle into the firing 
 position. 
 
 2. The striker pellet is prevented by its spring from being driven 
 back onto the cap until impact. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To use: 
 
 1. Unscrew plug by means of the key, pull the two-pronged safety 
 pin from the fuse, and screw the fuse in slowly and carefully by means 
 of the key. 
 
 2. Lower the grenade carefully into the barrel. 
 
 3. Insert special cartridge in the breech. 
 
 4. Fix the rifle at the required elevation. 
 
 5. Fire the rifle. 
 
 To render useless: Unscrew fuse from the grenade. 
 Precautions: 
 
 1. A German rifle, 98 or 88'05 only can be used. 
 
 2. Care must be taken that the grenade is not dropped, especially 
 on the tail rod, as then it is liable to become "live," and will there- 
 fore detonate on firing. It should be carried head uppermost by the 
 grenade, not by the rod. 
 
 3. The special rifle grenade cartridge must be used, and in no case 
 a ball cartridge. 
 
 4. Tail rods which jam or rub when being placed in the barrel 
 must not be used, and no force is to be employed. 
 
 5. Damp tail rods should be dried before use. All rods should be 
 firmly screwed in. 
 
 Warning: Grenades with live fuses should not be fired or touched: 
 They are easily recognizable, as the nose of the fuse will be found 
 sticking out (compare figs. 1 and 2). Grenades in this condition 
 should be destroyed as soon as possible. 
 
67 
 
 
 
 5. RIFLE GRENADE, 1913 (PERCUSSION). 
 
 [Weight, about 2 pounds complete; charge, 3.2 ounces explosive. Maximum mean 
 range, 350 yards.] 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 (See PI. L.) 
 
 Body. Steel, 4.3 inches long and 0.16 inch thick, is serrated 
 longitudinally and transversely, so that on detonation it may split 
 up into fragments of sufficient size. It is painted gray. The base 
 is closed by a brass base cup, which has screwed into it a steel tail 
 rod 18 inches long, with copper gas check to take the grooves of the 
 rifling. The rod has a thin coating of copper to protect it from rust 
 and also to protect the barrel. A tin disk is fastened to the head of 
 grenade by the igniter plug for short ranges. 
 
 Method of ignition. An igniter plug, carrying cap and detonator, 
 screwed into the head of the grenade. A brass tube passing through 
 the center of the grenade contains a striker pellet, with needle and 
 creep spring. 
 
 Safety arrangements: 
 
 1. A powder safety device is contained in base cup. Screwed 
 into the striker pellet is a spindle which passes through into the 
 base cup and has at its lower end a small platform with three flash 
 holes. On this rests a pellet of compressed powder, the object of 
 which is to keep the striker from moving forward until a short time 
 after the grenade has left the rifle. This powder is ignited by means 
 of a small brass pellet with a cap, which sets back on the shock of 
 discharge, and, flattening a small spring, is penetrated by a needle 
 on the screw plug closing the base cup. A vent hole in the base cup 
 allows the escape of the gases of combustion. This is normally 
 sealed with wax. 
 
 2. When the powder is burned away the striker is only prevented 
 from moving forward by a creep spring, the resistance of which is 
 overcome on strike. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To use: 
 
 1. Unscrew zinc plug from the head. 
 
 2. Screw in the igniter plug (with tin disk for ranges under 200- 
 yards). 
 
 3. Lower the grenade carefully into the barrel. 
 
 4. Insert a rifle grenade cartridge in the breech. 
 
 5. Fix the rifle at the required elevation. 
 
 6. Fire the rifle. 
 
68 
 
 To render useless: Unscrew the igniter plug in the head of the 
 grenade, holding the grenade with the rod downward. 
 Precautions: 
 
 1. A German rifle 98 or 88.05 only can be used. 
 
 2. Care must be taken that the grenade is not dropped, especially 
 on the tail rod, as then it is liable to become "live," and will there- 
 fore detonate on firing. Tt should be carried head uppermost by 
 the grenade, not by the rod. 
 
 3. The special rifle grenade cartridge must be used, and in no 
 case a ball cartridge. 
 
 4. Tail rods which jam or rub when being placed in the barrel 
 must not be used, and no force is to be employed. 
 
 5. Damp tail rods should be dried before use. All rods should 
 be firmly screwed in. 
 
 [NOTE. In a document captured September, 1916, an improved 
 pattern of the 1913 rifle grenade is described. It is provided with a 
 two-pronged safety pin like the 1914 pattern, but inserted in the 
 brass base in order to hold the striker pellet from moving. This 
 safety pin must be removed before firing. See Plate L.] 
 
 The following warning is also given: "After taking the grenade 
 from the box it should be examined to see that the gas escape hole 
 is closed and has not been blackened by the burning of the powder 
 pellet. Grenades in which this has happened are dangerous and 
 must not be used." 
 
 6. DISK HAND GKENADE. PERCUSSION. (DISKUS- 
 HANDGKANATE, 1915.) 
 
 There are two patterns, one weighing 15 ounces and the other 
 slightly smaller, 13 ounces. The former is made of sheet metal 
 and is for throwing in the open; the latter is of cast iron and should 
 only be thrown from behind cover. 
 
 DESCRIPTION (SEE PL. M). 
 
 Body. Two iron shells, convex on the outside and with the edges 
 either turned over or riveted. It contains two circular bags of ex- 
 plosive, each containing 2 ounces. 
 
 Method of ignition. Consists of six metal tubes in the shape of a 
 star, meeting at the center of the grenade plug. Four of these tubes 
 carry striker pellets with caps at the inner ends, and opposite to 
 each cap is one of the points of a four-pointed star. The outer end 
 of each of these tubes is closed by a screwed plug. One of the re- 
 
69 
 
 maining two tubes carries the detonator, of which the inner end is 
 open. This tube is closed by a screwed plug with milled head 
 with the letter " S " on it. 
 
 Safety arra?igement. The sixth tube contains a safety pellet 
 divided into two prongs, one of which passes on each side of the star 
 and protects the points. This pellet is retained in its position by a 
 cap which closes the outer end of this tube. The cap is secured to 
 the tube either by clips or by a safety pin with ring. 
 
 Action during flight. Owing to the grenade turning over, the 
 safety pellet flies out and the grenade becomes sensitive. When 
 the edge of the grenade strikes the target the corresponding striker 
 pellet drives the cap forward on to the point of the star. The flash 
 passes into the detonator and explodes the charge. A low or hori- 
 zontal throw may cause a failure. On detonation the fragments 
 fly out laterally, and not to the front or rear 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use: 
 
 1. Hold the grenade in the right hand, safety pin upwards. 
 
 2. Pull out the safety pin with the left hand. 
 
 3. Pull off the cap and hold the safety pellet in position with the 
 right forefinger. (If necessary, the safety pin can be replaced.) 
 
 4. Throw the grenade as high as possible, taking care that the edge 
 is vertical. 
 
 These grenades can also be thrown with the strap provided in each 
 box, but this method requires considerable practice. 
 To render useless: 
 
 1. Unscrew the plug of the tube, marked "S," opposite to the 
 safety pin. 
 
 2. Remove detonator. 
 Warning: 
 
 Blinds are dangerous. As soon as any part of the safety pellet 
 projects there is chance of detonation. 
 
 [NOTE. The red grenade to be found in every box is a dummy 
 for practice.] 
 
70 
 
 7. SPHERICAL HAND GRENADE, 
 
 [Weight, 1 pound 10 ounces.] 
 Can be thrown about 30 yards. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 (See pi. N.) 
 
 Body. Spherical, about 3 inches in diameter, made of cast iron 
 about one-third inch thick, and is filled with black powder or other 
 explosive which does not require a detonator. The body is coated 
 with varnish inside and out. 
 
 Method of ignition. Combination of friction tube, lighter, and fuse. 
 The friction tube is fired by pulling out the wire in the direction of 
 the axis of the tube. (See fig. 2.) A wrist strap with a swivel hook 
 is usually provided for this purpose. Time of burning, seven sec- 
 onds. A similar lighter which burns for five seconds is also pro- 
 vided. It is distinguishable by the head of the fuse being painted 
 red. . 
 
 Safety arrangements: 
 
 1. Grenade and fuse kept separate during carriage. 
 
 2. The vent for the fuse in the grenade is closed by means of a 
 -zinc plug. 
 
 3. The holes A and B (see fig. 2) in the lighter are covered with 
 waterproof paper. 
 
 4. The wire is bent in order to prevent a direct pull. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use: 
 
 1. Take the lighter, remove the oiled paper from A and B and 
 .straighten the wire, taking care not to pull it. 
 
 2. Insert the lighter. 
 To throw: 
 
 1. Put on the wrist strap. 
 
 2. Hold the grenade in the right hand, with the igniter toward 
 the wrist. 
 
 3. Hook the swivel at the end of the strap onto the wire pull of 
 the grenade. ' 
 
 4. Throw the grenade. 
 
 If a strap is not provided, a nail or a loop of string should be passed 
 through the wire pull. 
 To render useless: 
 
71 
 
 1. Bend the wire down if it is straightened, taking care not to 
 pull it. 
 
 2. Unscrew the lighter. 
 
 3. Shake out the contents of the grenade. 
 
 8. PARACHUTE GRENADE (PERCUSSION). 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 (See pi. O.) 
 
 Body. Painted black, consists of a tin cylinder of explosive with 
 hemispherical head of larger diameter containing shrapnel bullets. 
 A buffer cylinder passes through the body and projects, so as to 
 produce the explosion slightly above ground. The base of the body 
 is closed by a wooden plug at the handle. A parachute safety 
 arrangement is attached to the head of the handle in order to prevent 
 fragments flying to the rear on explosion, and also to cause the grenade 
 to fall on its head. 
 
 Method of ignition. 1. The detonator in the buffer cylinder sup- 
 ported by the screwed plug at the end. 2. The striker pellet with 
 point and spiral spring. 
 Safety arrangements : 
 
 1. A cord 7 meters long, which normally is coiled up inside the 
 handle, is attached to a long needle passing down the percussion 
 pellet. A safety hook retains a ring attached to the end of the 
 striker pellet and the needle passes through a hole in this hook. 
 After the first 7 meters of the flight, the jerk on the cord pulls out 
 the needle, and the safety hook is thus free to fall out sideways and 
 so allow the percussion pellet to move forward on concussion. 
 
 2. Keep pin and creep spring. The former prevents the percus- 
 sion pellet from falling back. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use : 
 
 1. Unscrew the plug in the head. 
 
 2. Place in the detonator, fulminate downwards. 
 
 3. Screw in the plug. 
 To throw: 
 
 1. Tear off the band holding the parachute. 
 
 2. Holding the loop of the cord firmly with the first and second 
 fingers of the right hand, take out the plug from the handle, unwind- 
 ing as short a length as possible of the cord. 
 
 3. Hold the grenade in the right hand. 
 
72 
 
 4. Retaining the loop of the cord, throw the grenade so that it will 
 reach a height of 12 or 13 feet. 
 To render useless : 
 
 Unscrew the plug and remove the detonator. 
 
 The grenades may be found "live," in which case 1,2, and 3 have 
 already been done. 
 
 This grenade can be used in attack or defense, but it is particu- 
 larly designed for the former, as the fragments are projected in a 
 forward direction only, and so are not dangerous to the throwers. 
 The safety arrangements prevent the grenade from becoming dan- 
 gerous until it has flown about 7 meters. 
 
 9. SMALL TIN HAND GRENADE. 
 
 [Weight, 12 ounces.] 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 (See PL P, figs. 3 and 4.) 
 
 Body. Tin case, 4| inches by lf by lf&, filled with explosive. 
 
 Method of ignition. Combined match-head igniter, fuse, 'and 
 detonator (see fig. 3). 
 
 The match-head igniter consists of a small lead tube closed at 
 one end with a ball of red phosphorus, varnished, and covered with 
 oiled paper. 
 
 A piece of safety fuse is pushed home and secured in position by 
 crimping the tube around it; the detonator is fixed to the other end 
 of the fuse in a similar manner. 
 Safety arrangements : 
 
 1. The grenade and igniter are kept separate during carriage and 
 a wooden plug is put into the grenade in place of the detonator. 
 
 2. The phosphorus head is protected from friction and damp by 
 water-proof paper. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 To prepare for use: 
 
 Take out the wooden plug (if necessary use the rectifier) and insert 
 the igniter. The igniter is kept in place by the lead tube fitting 
 tightly into its seating; the joint should be waxed. 
 
 Tear off the paper cover from the lighter. 
 
 Hold the grenade in the right hand, rub the match head with 
 some rough material (side of match box, etc.); a wind-match or 
 pocket-lighter may be used instead. 
 
 Throw immediately. 
 
 Time of burning, 6 seconds. 
 
 To render useless: Take out igniter and fill up hole with mud, etc. 
 
73 
 
 10. CYLINDRICAL HAND GRENADE WITH SPRING 
 IGNITER, CHARGED WITH MISSILES, ETC. 
 
 [Weight, 2J pounds.] 
 DESCRIPTION (see pi. P, figs. 1 and 2). 
 
 Body. Cylindrical tin of explosive, 2 inches diameter, placed in 
 a tin 3 inches diameter, the space between being filled with nails, 
 scrap iron, etc. The bottom is closed by a wooden plug, in which a 
 small hole is bored for the detonator. The handle is of wood, 8| 
 inches long, the head of which forms the wooden base plug. To 
 secure the body to the handle, the edge of the outer cylinder of the 
 body is turned down over the base plug. 
 
 Method of ignition. Consists of a spring, striker, and cap, incased 
 in brass tube, fastened to the handle by a steel band. Fuse and 
 detonator are attached in the usual way. 
 
 The spring is compressed by a collar at the end of the striker rod. 
 The rod is held back by a safety pin passing through it at the end of 
 the case. As soon as the pin is released, the striker flies forward and 
 fires the cap, thus lighting the fuse. 
 
 This spring lighter is used in most of the German extemporized 
 hand grenades, land mines, charges for destroying dugouts, etc. 
 
 Fuse, about 2 inches long. Time of burning, 6 seconds. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 (a) To prepare for use : 
 
 1. Hold the grenade in the right hand. 
 
 2. Withdraw the safety pin. 
 
 3. Throw at once. 
 
 (6) To render useless: 
 
 1. Remove the handle and base plug by raising the turned-down 
 edge of the cylinder. This must be done very carefully. 
 
 2. Empty the contents of the body. 
 
74 
 
 10. HAIRBRUSH HAND GRENADE WITH SPRING 
 IGNITER. 
 
 [Weight, 2} pounds.] 
 DESCRIPTION (see pi. P, figs. 1 and 2.) 
 
 Body. Tin box, 2| inches by 2| inches by 6 inches, filled with 
 explosive. This box is nailed onto a wooden handle. Length, com- 
 plete, 15 inches. 
 
 Method of ignition. Spring igniter, fuse, and detonator, similar to 
 that used in the cylindrical grenade with spring igniter. The 
 igniter is kept in position by means of a zinc band screwed onto the 
 handle. 
 
 Safety arrangements and instructions. As for cylindrical hand 
 grenade with spring igniter see 9 above. 
 
APPENDIX V, 
 
 'SUMMARY OF INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY A BRIGADE 
 FOR THE SUPPLY OF GRENADES IN A GENERAL 
 ATTACK. 
 
 [NOTE. These instructions, which were issued for the attack on 
 July 1, 1916, are only to be taken as a general guide on the points on 
 which instructions should be issued.] 
 
 Equipment. The following number of grenades will be carried 
 by the personnel of bombing squads : 
 
 
 Mills. 
 
 Rifle 
 grenades. 
 
 Smoke 
 bombs. 
 
 Noncommissioned officers 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 2 bayonet men . 
 
 12 
 
 
 4 
 
 2 throwers 
 
 24 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 24 
 
 
 t. 
 
 '2 rifle bombers . . ... 
 
 g 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 74 
 
 24 
 
 14 
 
 These grenades will be dumped near the billets to be occupied 
 by the brigade prior to the commencement of operations. When 
 once they have been distributed they become part of the men's 
 equipment. The man himself should see that his grenades are 
 ready for immediate use and all safety pins easy of removal. 
 
 In addition to the above, every Infantry soldier will receive two 
 Mills grenades. The requisite number of grenades will be issued to 
 battalions previous to operations and will become part of their equip- 
 ment. The grenades should be carried in the lower pockets of the 
 jacket and be carefully inspected by the platoon officer Concerned. 
 
 Grenade stores. The following grenade stores will be established: 
 
 Mills. 
 
 Right battalion, at 1, 000 
 
 Center battalion, at '. 2, 000 
 
 Left battalion, at: 1, 000 
 
 Left battalion, at 2, 000 
 
 16,000 
 
 (75) 
 
76 
 
 In addition there will be a reserve of 2,000 rifle grenades (1,000 
 short and 1,000 long) and 1,000 smoke bombs distributed between 
 the above stores. 
 
 The main supply of grenades to the brigade during operations will 
 be maintained by the divisional store at . 
 
 Total number of grenades with the brigade at commencement of 
 operations: 
 
 
 Mills. 
 
 Rifle 
 grenades. 
 
 Smoke 
 bombs. 
 
 (a) With bombing squads. .. 
 
 4,736 
 
 1,536 
 
 896 
 
 (6) 2 per man 
 
 5 600 
 
 
 
 (c) Stores 
 
 16,000 
 
 2,000 
 
 1,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 26,336 
 
 3,536 
 
 1,896 
 
 Battalion bombing officers will be responsible for the establish- 
 ment of advanced battalion stores in the captured trenches as early 
 as possible. 
 
 Carriers. Officers commanding companies will be responsible for 
 organizing the flow of grenades from the advanced store to forward 
 parties; the battalion bombing officer will be responsible for the es- 
 tablishment of the advanced store in the captured trenches, for in- 
 forming officers commanding companies of the position of the ad- 
 vanced store, and for the supply of grenades from the battalion store 
 to the advanced store. The approximate position of the advanced 
 store should be decided beforehand. 
 
 The brigade bombing officer is responsible for the flow of grenades 
 from the brigade store to the battalion store and for the fusing of all 
 grenades before they leave the brigade store. 
 
 To give effect to this system 
 
 In each platoon five men will be told off, in addition to the com- 
 pany bombers, to act as carriers if required. They will wear a, 
 special distinguishing mark. 
 
 From each battalion store the battalion bombing officer and a 
 party will work forward to establish an advanced store, a noncom- 
 missioned officer from the brigade will be at each battalion store to 
 supervise the maintenance of supply from the brigade store. 
 
 At the brigade store will be the brigade bombing officer and his 
 party, fusing and carrying forward to battalion stores. 
 
 The brigade will be represented by two men in the divisional 
 store. 
 
77 
 
 Method of carrying. One hundred spare bags will be kept in each 
 battalion store and 200 in the advanced brigade store. One thou- 
 sand grenades in each store will be ready in bags. It will be left to 
 the discretion of the noncommissioned officer or officer in charge 
 whether grenades are sent forward in bags or boxes. 
 
 Indents. All indents for grenades to brigade advanced store must 
 bear the following details: 
 
 (a) Unit. 
 
 (6) Type and number required. 
 
 (r) Destination. 
 
 (d) Urgency or whether merely to complete establishment. 
 
 Supplies to battalions Mill, in every case, be dealt with first. 
 
 Fused grenades. All grenades in stores previous to the operations 
 will be fused, and the safety pins of No. 5 Mills bombs will be care- 
 fully inspected. 
 
 .Mobile reserve. The battalion mobile reserve wagons will be 
 brigaded during operations and will be prepared, if necessary, to 
 dump the grenades at the brigade advanced store, and afterwards to 
 ply between the divisional store and the brigade store. The latter 
 in the event of the tram route being destroyed. 
 
 Battalion bombing officers will see that the grenades in the wagons 
 are carefully inspected beforehand. These grenades will not be 
 fused . 
 
 The route from divisional store to brigade advanced store should 
 be reconnoitered. 
 
APPENDIX VI. 
 
 GERMAN GRENADE TACTICS. 
 
 [Translation of a German document.] 
 I. BOMBING PARTIES. 
 
 :-Jrd Battn., 235th Res. Inf. Regt. 
 
 12 ih December, 1915. 
 
 The bombing party (Handgranatentrupp) operates, as a unit,, 
 chiefly in the trench itself, its action being both offensive and de- 
 fensive; the manner in which it should be stationed and distributed, 
 employed, armed, led, and safeguarded must be regulated accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 Men selected for this work should be courageous and expert hand- 
 grenade throwers. They should wear a distinctive badge. In each 
 platoon there is a bombing party consisting of six men, including 
 their commander. When one of these men becomes a casualty, a 
 substitute should be ready to take his place. The bombing party 
 should be stationed approximately in the center of the platoon. 
 Boxes containing grenades should be placed near the party; they 
 should be clearly marked as containing grenades and should be 
 reserved for the use of the party in the first instance. 
 
 (a) Should the enemy have penetrated into a small portion of the 
 trench, and should the troops on the spot not be able to deal with 
 him by means of the bayonet or hand grenades, the bombing party 
 should, without waiting for orders, immediately attack the enemy 
 with grenades before it becomes necessary to erect a barricade in the 
 trench. On a signal from their commander, the men of the bomb- 
 ing party equip themselves with hand grenades and collect round 
 him. 
 
 All men of the party carry their rifles slung, bayonets fixed, and 
 daggers ready, with the exception of the two leaders who do not 
 carry rifles. The latter carry as many grenades as they can con- 
 veniently handle and should, if possible, be armed with pistols. 
 The commander, similarly armed, follows the two leading men. If 
 no pistols are available, the commander, who should cover the two 
 leading men, carries his rifle ready loaded in his hands. The re- 
 maining three men follow the others a traverse in rear. They keep 
 
 (78) 
 
79 
 
 within sight of their commander and carry as many grenades as- 
 possible. When possible the grenades are carried in their boxes. 
 The two leading men advance along the trench in a crouching 
 position, so that the commander can fire over them. The interval 
 between traverses is crossed by a rush. 
 
 (6) If the enemy has penetrated into the trench with a large force- 
 and a continuation of his attack is to be expected, as good a barricade 
 as circumstances permit should be erected. The bombing party 
 should at first remain on the defensive in rear of this barricade or 
 behind a breastwork. Rifles should be unslung ready for use. The 
 commander and the three rear men should take up their position 
 behind the nearest traverse and within sight of the two leading 
 men. 
 
 Bombing parties belonging to the platoons in support and in 
 reserve should be stationed somewhere in the vicinity of the com- 
 munication trenches, and should be brought up to a strength of 
 eight men, including the commander. 
 
 [Translation of a German document, dated 28, 2, 1916.] 
 II. TRAINING IN THE USE OP HAND GRENADES. 
 
 (Supplementary orders to those issued by the One hundred and 
 eightieth Regiment, No. 729 of 6, 2, 1916.) 
 
 In training men for grenade fighting the following points are to- 
 be noted : 
 
 1. During practice with dummy grenades the thrower must al- 
 ways act as if using live grenades and think of the timing, so- 
 that when using live ones he is able to make the necessary pause; 
 counting, e. g., "zwei und zwanzig" (22), "drei und zwanzig" (23), 
 "vier und zwanzig" (24), appears practical. These three numbers 
 give the correct amount of pause approximately. 
 
 As a general rule, the grenades are thrown too soon. It must be 
 made clear to the bombers that this practice is quite wrong and can 
 have disastrous results; for the enemy has time to avoid grenades or 
 to throw them back or to one side as the case may be. 
 
 2. When the bombing squads of the platoons are fully trained, a. 
 second squad of each platoon is to be formed and trained. The 
 first and chief bombing squads of platoons are, however, to be given 
 further training every 14 days. Lieut. Helferich will report to me 
 when he considers the bombing squads of the various companies 
 fully trained. I shall then take steps to verify this. 
 
80 
 
 3. The bombing squads and also the first squad of the bombing 
 platoon are to be armed and equipped as follows: 
 
 Nos. 1-4. Pistol, dagger, and 6 grenades each. 
 Nos. 5-8. Rifle, 6 grenades, and 25 sandbags each. 
 
 4. Trench tactics will be practiced as shown below: 
 
 013 
 
81 
 
 No. 1. Thrower. 
 
 No. 2. Carrier. 
 
 No. 3. Thrower. 
 
 No. 4. Carrier. 
 
 L. Leader. 
 
 Nos. 5 and 6. Carriers. 
 
 Nos. 7 and 8. Spare men. 
 
 It is essential to keep the men extended in order to facilitate 
 freedom of action and to enable them to dodge the enemy's grenades, 
 but care must be taken that cohesion is not sacrificed in consequence. 
 
 Each squad must be so trained that every man can take the place 
 of any other in it. 
 
 The leading man (No. 1) only will throw, the carrier (No. 2) 
 will prepare the grenades. 
 
 Two cases may arise when Nos. 2 and 3 will also throw (a) At 
 the moment of making an attack in order to surprise and confuse the 
 enemy with a sudden shower of grenades. As soon as the attack is 
 in progress Nos. 2 and 3 will cease throwing. (6) When the resist- 
 ance is too strong for the leading thrower to overcome it by himself. 
 
 5. The sandbags carried by Nos. 5-8 serve for the rapid construc- 
 tion of a barricade which is held with rifles. 
 
 One man, by means of his haversack strap, can easily carry 25 
 sandbags on his back and, with rifle slung, experiences little incon- 
 venience. 
 
 6. The greatest attention is to be paid to the instruction of the 
 leaders, for they will have to act on their own initiative in most 
 circumstances. 
 
 In the bombing platoon the position of the platoon commander 
 varies with the situation, but, as a general rule, the most suitable 
 position would be with No. 3 group. 
 
 7. In trench fighting the platoon commander or squad leader 
 must pay particular attention to the following points: 
 
 (a) See that every man is provided with six grenades. 
 
 (6) See that there is no crowding, in order to minimize the risk 
 of casualties from a well-aimed enemy bomb. There is always 
 danger of crowding during a check in the advance. 
 
 (c) When the resistance of the enemy is not too great, the advance 
 must always be continuous. Special attention must be paid to the 
 supply of grenades. 
 
 (</) As soon as a traverse has been taken No. 2 calls out "Cleared " 
 (Geraumt), the squad leader gives the command, "Advance" 
 
 97777 17 6 
 
82 
 
 (Vor). Every section of the trench captured must be at once occu- 
 pied by riflemen. 
 
 (e) The squad leader must be provided with small white flags 
 which he will place at intervals on the top of traverses to mark the 
 progress of the attack. This will prevent bombing parties which 
 are working up the same trench in opposite directions from bombing 
 each other by accident. 
 
 Small white flags will be made and taken with the men when they 
 carry out training. 
 
 (/) Should the resistance of the enemy be so strong that further 
 advance is impossible even with the help of Nos. 2 and 3, the con- 
 struction of a barricade must be proceeded with at once. The squad 
 leader will give the command, "Sandbags up" (Sandsacke vor). 
 The platoon commander can then decide whether it is possible to 
 relieve the bombing squad and continue the attack, or whether to 
 call a halt in the operations. 
 
 The construction of a barricade at al will be scarcely possible, 
 owing to the number of the enemy's grenades which are being 
 thrown, more especially if our intention is known to him. 
 
 The barricade will, therefore, be built at a, and, if possible, the 
 space a-b will be roofed over with stout planks as a protection 
 against grenades. 
 
 Nos. 1-4 will hold back the enemy until the barricade is com- 
 pleted. 
 
 (g) Should it be necessary to block a communication trench, a 
 good thrower at a will give the necessary protection to the remainder, 
 who will build the barricade at 6. 
 
 8. The question of the supply of hand grenades is of the utmost 
 importance. 
 
 (a) Supply during an attack across the open. If the first wave of 
 the assault has succeeded in entering the enemy's trench, communi- 
 cation to the rear must be kept up so that sandbags, containing 
 about six grenades each, can be passed forward continuously. 
 
 (6) Supply in the trench. No. 1 (thrower) will only use the 
 grenades which are passed up to him never his own, which must 
 be kept as a reserve for an emergency. 
 
 In grenadier platoons every squad, except the first, must be 
 provided with a small box of grenades or with three or four sand- 
 bags each containing six grenades. The passing up of grenades 
 should be thoroughly practiced. 
 
 (Signed) FISCHER. 
 
83 
 
84 
 
 [Captured German document, dated February, 1916.] 
 III. HAND GRENADE TRAINING. 
 
 Training in fighting at close range with hand grenades will be 
 carried out by officers who are acquainted with all the details of 
 this weapon and have had practical experience of its use in the 
 field. The officers have first to train the men detailed as bombers 
 and then to occupy themselves with the further individual training 
 of the bombing squad. 
 
 Training takes place on ground specially set aside for the pur- 
 pose (Handgranatenstand), where the precautions for safety laid 
 down in instructions "Hand and Rifle Grenades," page 28A, are 
 properly carried out, and where various targets (trenches with loop- 
 holes and entanglements, sapheads, machine-gun emplacements, 
 farm buildings, and firing lines represented by screens) are provided . 
 The course of training will be divided into the following parts, viz:^ 
 
 (a) Instructions in the various patterns and construction o 
 grenades, the nature and effect of the explosive and detonators 
 employed, storing, fuzing, carrying and using bombs and precau- 
 tionary measures to be taken. 
 
 (6) Drill with unfuzed practice hand grenades. Officers should 
 next instruct the men individually in bomb throwing at a specified 
 range at different targets. Men should be practiced in throwing 
 when standing, kneeling, and lying, and finally actually in trenches. 
 The bombing section should be instructed in grenade throwing in 
 specified cases, such as attacking a trench, bombing a trench, assault- 
 ing fortified buildings, machine-gun emplacements, etc. Men 
 should be practiced in springing out of trenches, doubling, throwing 
 themselves down, springing up, pulling the friction lighter on a 
 .signal or whistle, throwing and lying down again, etc. From the 
 start particular attention should be paid to making the man take 
 the grenade in the same hand as he uses for throwing it (left-handed 
 men in the left hand) and using the other to pull the friction lighter, 
 so that time (5J seconds) required for throwing the bomb may not 
 be cut short or even entirely used in changing hands after lighting 
 the bomb. 
 
 (c) Drill with fuzed practice hand grenades. 
 
 Men should only proceed to practice with live bombs after ease, 
 assurance, and safety in the former practices have been attained. 
 As the detonator bursts the shell of the grenade and can send frag- 
 ments flying, great caution should be observed. These practices 
 should teach the men to estimate the duration of the fuze and enable 
 
85 
 
86 
 
 / 
 
 them to choose the proper moment for throwing. The habit which 
 has arisen in various places of making the man count three or five 
 before throwing is absolutely forbidden. The habit may lead to 
 the man's counting so slowly that the bomb actually goes off in his 
 hand. Haste and exaggerated speed in throwing are, however, 
 quite wrong. The man in his anxiety is likely to throw wide. The 
 length of the fuse (5J seconds) gives time for pulling the friction 
 lighter and proper aiming and throwing. On the other hand, the 
 5 seconds is purposely short so that the enemy can not have time 
 to pick up the grenade and throw it back. 
 
 After assurance in practices (6) and (c) has been gained, classes 
 may proceed to (c?). 
 
 (</) Practice with live bombs. In accordance with regulations 
 for safety (Instructions "Hand and Rifle Grenades," p. 28A), only 
 one man will throw, the others taking cover. Every man, before 
 being regarded as properly trained, must have thrown several bombs 
 successfully. Officers intrusted with the training of bombers will 
 inspect the storing and safe-keeping of hand grenades in the front 
 trenches and in their depots, and will see that bombs which have be- 
 come unusable are duly replaced. For depots connected with 
 pioneer parks the pioneer officers concerned are responsible. 
 
 On behalf of the army commander. 
 
 The Chief of the General Staff. 
 
 ILSE. 
 
 H. Q., XIII Army Corps. 
 
 G. H. Q., 22.2.16: 
 VI. TRAINING. 
 
 Training will be carried out within the company under the com- 
 pany commander. As a general rule, all officers, noncommissioned 
 officers, and men should be instructed. The senior officers e. g., 
 battalion commanders will insure that the training carried out by 
 companies is adequate. 
 
 A bombing field will be laid out in the vicinity of all billets. 
 Practices should be carried out according to the experiences of 
 actual fighting and made as varied, stimulating, and instructive as 
 possible. The main purpose of the training is to make a man con- 
 fident in the use of what at first appears to him a most uncanny 
 weapon, and to convince him of its great effect when properly used. 
 Competitions in throwing between companies, battalions, and 
 regiments will do much to promote efficiency. 
 
87 
 
 Particular attention is drawn to the regulations of the Gen. Kdr. 
 concerning the observance of precautionary measures during prac- 
 tices in live bomb throwing. 
 
 The specially picked bombing section mentioned in A. O. K. 4 
 will provide a bombing squad in each platoon, one noncommis- 
 sioned officer, and eight men strong, who should be chosen for their 
 coolness and experience, volunteers, if available, being selected. 
 These three bombing squads can be used by the company com- 
 mander, either separately or together, during an attack, a counter- 
 attack on lost portions o'f our trenches, or on any other occasion. 
 The battalion commander can, if he thinks it desirable, employ 
 the bombers of several companies together. Each man can carry 
 up to 20 grenades. The method of carrying should be the subject 
 of careful experiments. The following methods are worthy of con- 
 sideration: Carrying on a strap, in a belt hung around the neck, 
 in a sandbag with a strap, or in two sandbags hung round the neck. 
 Bombers do not carry either rifle or bayonet, but are armed with 
 revolver, trench dagger, and a short spade with a sharp edge, or 
 instead of the latter a knobkerry. To insure a proper supply of 
 bombs, a carrying party must be organized as demanded by the 
 circumstances. 
 
 VII. USE AND APPLICATION OF THE GRENADE. 
 
 The hand grenade is both an offensive and defensive weapon, 
 and, as such, indispensable. Specific rules for procedure in different 
 phases of fighting can not be laid down. 
 
 In the case of a counterattack on lost trenches the fighting should, 
 as a general rule, be so arranged that the trench is methodically 
 cleared bay by bay and at once occupied and consolidated by the 
 sandbagging party in rear of the bombers. 
 
 Bombers will be similarly employed during an attack on a hostile 
 position. Bombers will in this case be very useful on the flanks for 
 clearing the adjoining trenches and for repelling the inevitable 
 counterattack. 
 
 Should the enemy make a frontal attack on our position, bombs 
 will be thrown by the entire trench garrison as soon as the enemy 
 comes close enough. The choice of the right moment for the change 
 from rifle to grenade is a matter for the platoon or section commander, 
 and very often for the individual man. Great emphasis should be 
 laid on this point during training, and men should be shown that a 
 premature use of grenades is useless and niay be fatal. 
 
 FRHR. V. WATTER. 
 
88 
 
 PLATE A. 
 
 BLOCKING GATE. 
 
89 
 
 PLATE A. (conld.) 
 
 When gate is open it rests on a hook. This hook can be pulled 
 aside from a distance by a wire or chain. The gate is self -locking 
 and can be opened only from the side of the defenders. 
 
 A simple swing gate, that is, one swinging horizontally instead of 
 vertically as shown in the above plate, is preferable. 
 
90 
 
 PLATE B. 
 
 'GRENADE, -303" SHORT RIFLE. 
 No. 3. FIG. 1. 
 
 GREXADE, HAND. 
 FIG. 2. 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 -Strikerlocr 
 Safety Pin 
 
 -FirinqStrikcr 
 and bpnny. 
 
 Detonator. 
 
 "ill 3fety Fu23 
 
91 
 
 PLATE 0, 
 
 VAKELESS RIFLE GRENADE, No. 20. 
 Half size. 
 
 Elevation. 
 
 Wood Plug 
 
 Felt Plug - 
 Detonator Holder 
 Brass Tube 
 Detonator 
 
 Detonator Cap 
 
 Creep Spring 
 Striker Pellet 
 
 Retaining Bolts 
 
 Socket 
 
 Safety Pin 
 
 feteel Rod to tit 
 Eifle Barrel 
 
 Plan* 
 
92 
 
 PIPPIN RIFLE GRENADE, Np. 22. 
 
 Half Size. 
 Percussion Cap. 
 
 PLATE D, 
 
 Safety Strip 
 
 flat Spring_= 
 Safety Piu - 
 
 Special 
 
 Cartridge and 
 
 Detonator 
 
 Explosive 
 
 Paper Tube 
 
 Steel Rod to fit 
 Rifle Barrel 
 
 Copper Gas CluxJ; gp a-- 
 
93 
 
 PLATE E. 
 
 ATTACHMENT FOR FIRING MILLS GRENADE FROM A 
 
 /I 
 
 ATTACHMENT FOR FIRING MILLS 
 GRENADE FROM A LONG EIFLE. 
 
 Elevation. 
 
94 
 
 PLATE Of.. 
 
 DETONATORS. 
 Fig. 1. 
 
 Defona/br ho/cfer 
 J 
 
 efana/br 
 
 i i 
 
 , r/i* \ 
 
 FOR No. 1 (SERVICE HAND GRENALE). 
 
95 
 
 PLATE F 
 
 Fig. 2. 
 
 Fig. 3. 
 
 FOR No. 2 (HALES OR MEXICAN 
 HAND GRENADE). 
 
 FOR No. 3 AND No. 20 (HALES 
 
 RIFLE GRENADE AND VANELESS 
 
 PATTERN). 
 
96 
 
 Fig. 4. 
 
 PLATE F (confd). 
 
 Fig. 7. 
 No. 6 Detonator. 
 
 T 
 
 Copper I 
 /W>e T 
 
 /% 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 Fu/m/nafe 
 of Mercury 
 
 Fig. 8. 
 
 5 Detonator. 
 
 Copper 
 rube - 
 
 t - 
 
 HL. 
 
 fu/m/nafe. 
 ~of Mercury 
 
 FOR No. 5 AND No. 23 (MILLS HAND AND RIFLE GRENADES). 
 
97 
 
 PLATE F {contd.). 
 
 Figs. 5 and 6. 
 PATTERN B. PATTERN A. 
 
 FOR Na 22 (PIPPIN RIFLE GRBNAJOB). 
 
 97777 17 7 
 
98 
 
 PLATE G. 
 GERMAN CYLINDRICAL HAND GRBNADE. 
 
 With handle (earlier type). 
 
 Fig. 1. Fig. 2. 
 
 Section. 
 
99 
 
 PLATE, G(am(tl) 
 
 Fig. 3. GERMAN CYLINDRICAL HAND GRENADE. 
 End of handle of later type. Full size. 
 
 Wire P-nH 
 
 Wood Handle 
 
 Section. 
 
 Oord 
 
 Wood or Porcelain 
 Button at end of Cord 
 
 Screwed Metal Cover or 
 Cardboard Cover (not con- 
 nected to the Oord) 
 
100 
 
 PLATE H. 
 
 GERMAN ' GRENADE. . 
 
 CYLINDRICAL ELAND GRENADE WITH HANDLE (PERCUSSION), 
 Half full size. 
 
 Detonator 
 
 Safety 
 Wire 
 
 Spring 
 Cover 
 
 Safety Ball 
 
 Safety Pin 
 (a needle) 
 
 Striker 
 
 Flat 
 Spring 
 
 Safeti 
 Wire 
 
 Safety 
 Cord 
 
 In another description it is stated that the handle ia covered by a 
 cap., Under this is a weight which serves to pull out the safety pin 
 when the grenade is thrown. 
 
101 
 
 PLATE J. 
 
 GERMAN EGO HAND GRENADE. 
 
 Wire Loop 
 
 Metal Cap, containing 
 Friction Tube 
 
 Tube containing Fuse 
 
102 
 
 PLATE K. 
 
 GERMAN RIFLE GBENADE, 1914. 
 Fuze. 
 
 Dcfonafor 
 ~uje Charge 
 
 Cardboard 
 Cy/inder 
 
 .Copper P/<jq 
 
103 
 
 PLATE L. 
 
 GERMAN. 
 Rifle Grenade, 1913. 
 
 -N- Igniter P/uq 
 
 Tin Disc. 
 
 ft-Charqe. 
 ^"Detonator 
 
 W3Kf ' S 
 
 :. ' ' ^ **:' 4- - Creep Spring 
 
 ---Striker. 
 
 Brass Tube 
 
 Spindle 
 
 --Powder Pellet 
 "Base Cup 
 
 '"Gas Escape. 
 
 -Striker Pel let 
 
 --Cop. 
 Needle 
 ~ Flat Spring. 
 
 To// Roo 
 
 - os Check. 
 ^--Copper Plug 
 
 To show safety pin in latest pattern. 
 
104 
 
 PLATE M. 
 
 DISC HAND GRENADE 
 
 Cap 
 
 Cap 
 
105 
 
 PLATE N. 
 
 GERMAN SPHERICAL HAND GRENADE. 
 
106 
 
 GERMAN GRENADES. 
 Parachute Hand Grenade. 
 Screwed Plug.. ,. 
 
 Buffer 
 
 PLATE 0. 
 
 Striker Pel /cb - 
 Hanging Hook 
 
107 
 
 PLATE P. 
 
 
108 
 
NOTES OF SOME RECENT BOMBING OPERATIONS, 
 WITH EXAMPLES. 
 
 [Issued by the General Staff, November, 1916.] 
 
 1. Cooperation. Bombing attacks carried out without careful 
 organization and cooperation of Lewis guns, rifle grenades, Stokes's 
 mortars and snipers are likely to fail as a rule, and the most careful 
 training at brigade and divisional bombing schools is necessary in 
 order to insure the best results. 
 
 Snipers and Lewis guns must be handled boldly. Pushed out in 
 the open to a flank, they are likely to be of the greatest value in 
 repelling counterattacks and assisting the advance of bombing 
 parties. 
 
 Lewis guns were often most valuable as substitutes for bombing 
 squads for blocking straight pieces of trench. 
 
 The Germans frequently make use of machine guns for this pur- 
 pose. 
 
 2. Stokes's mortar shells. It has been found useful to provide 
 bombers with Stokes's mortar shells, with one safety pin, and creep 
 spring removed, thus turning the shell into a Mills' s grenade on a 
 large scale with a priming fuze up to 13 seconds. One of these shells 
 is quite sufficient to severely damage entrances to dugouts, tunnels, 
 etc. 
 
 3. Mills' s rifle grenades. These rifle grenades have been found 
 especially useful in assisting the advance of bombers, their range 
 of 100 yards being of great value when the bombers are outraged 
 by German "egg" grenades. 
 
 An ample supply of rifle grenades is of the utmost importance, 
 for they can frequently prevent hostile bombing parties from being 
 organized for attack. 
 
 In order to facilitate the supply of Mills's rifle grenades, all Mills's 
 grenades are now being tapped for rods. 
 
 4. Supply of grenades. The proper organization of a plentiful 
 supply of bombs is absolutely essential. Several advanced dumps, 
 therefore, must be made when bombing operations are anticipated. 
 The expenditure of bombs is extraordinarily large, and the replenish- 
 ment of the advanced dumps is therefore a matter of great difficulty. 
 A permanent carrying party is essential. Troops in support, if recently 
 relieved, are often too exhausted to perform this very arduous duty. 
 
 (109) 
 
110 
 
 The use of a chain of men for passing grenades forward in sacks 
 from hand to hand proved very successful. When this method 
 could not be used, relays working within well-defined limits that is, 
 from dump to dump also proved very satisfactory. In this case 
 grenades were carried in boxes from brigade headquarters to the fire- 
 trench dump and thence in sand bags, 12 in each bag. 
 
 EXAMPLE I ATTACK BY THE A BATTALION A. I. F. (NIGHT OF 
 29TH-30TH AUGUST). 
 
 1. Orders. The line C D, C F was the objective for a company 
 holding the line A B. 
 
 We had a block at V, the enemy having blocks at W and X in 
 the same trench. 
 
 One section of the regimental bombing platoon was ordered 
 to work along the trench to the objective and to establish a block 
 on the other side of it. A second section was ordered to follow in 
 close support, and a Stokes mortar at T was ordered to cooperate. 
 Company bombing sections were to follow the second wave of their 
 company to deal with enemy dugouts and to clear up generally. 
 
 2. Narrative. The first bombing section moved up to block V, 
 and the second wave, moving out into No Man's Land, commenced 
 bombing along the trench. 
 
 They passed the first enemy block (W) and were halfway to the 
 second (X) when the assault was delivered by the first wave. From 
 then to the first objective very little opposition was encountered. 
 
Ill 
 
 On arriving at the intersection of trench V W X with trench C D 
 they were assailed with bombs on their right and left from this 
 latter trench, and also from Z, where enemy had established another 
 block. 
 
 The trench mortar, being quickly informed, opened fire on Z. 
 
 The second bombing section was ordered to deal with the enemy's 
 bombers on the right and left, while the first bombing section con- 
 tinued the advance under cover of the trench mortar, which in- 
 creased its range about 15 yards every 3 shots. 
 
 Z was passed and a block established about 20 yards on the other 
 side of it. 
 
 3. Remarks. The total casualties of the two bombing sections 
 were 6 wounded, whilst 10 of the enemy were found dead in the 
 trench V W X Z. 
 
 The system of replacing casualties worked satisfactorily. 
 
 The bombers had no difficulty in following up the trench-mortar 
 fire. 
 
 EXAMPLE II. ATTACK BY BATTALION, WORCESTERSHIRE 
 
 REGIMENT (24TH AUGUST). 
 
 1. This battalion, in conjunction with Battalion, Wilts Regi- 
 ment, carried out a successful attack on the Hindenburg trench. 
 The right company was given special instructions to guard its right 
 flank. 
 
 2. The objective was reached without much difficulty. Two 
 squads of bombers, each consisting of 10 men, including two Mills 
 rifle bombers, were then ordered to hold point X, and, if possible, 
 push on to Y, supported by a Lewis gun. 
 
 At point X a party of six enemy bombers was encountered and 
 driven back by two bombers after an encounter of a few seconds. 
 Two bays behind them a party of 1^2 to 15 bombers was discovered; 
 it stood its ground. It was evidently covering a machine-gun team, 
 which was seen to be trying to mount a machine gun. This oppo- 
 sition was dealt ^ith as follows: 
 
 (a) Riflemen were at once thrown out on either flank in shell 
 holes, well out of bombing range. 
 
 (6) A Lewis gun was brought into action on top of a high traverse, 
 enfilading the whole enemy trench, and immediately putting the 
 enemy's machine gun out of action. 
 
 (c) A bombing squad attacked the enemy as follows: One officer 
 with periscope (who also threw bombs), three bombers, each car- 
 rying 16 bombs-, and a man with an aptillery flag. 
 
112 
 
 (d) A Stokes mortar fired on point Y throughout the operation. 
 
 After about 15 minutes' fighting the entire trench was captured 
 and 23 prisoners taken. We suffered no casualties from the enemy's 
 bombs. 
 
 3. The success of the operation vvas due to the following facts: 
 
 (a) The promptitude with which the Lewis gun and snipers got 
 into position, thereby preventing the enemy from throwing his 
 bombs to the best advantage, while our men outthrew him through- 
 out. 
 
 (6) The composition of the bombing team prevented crowding, 
 thereby obviating casualties and indiscriminate throwing. 
 
 The use of the periscope rendered the employment of bayonet 
 men unnecessary and made it possible to observe each bomber's 
 individual aim. 
 
 The artillery flag, though disclosing our position, was most neces- 
 sary as a guide to the sniper, Lewis gun, and trench mortar battery. 
 
 (c) A few smoke bombs were carried, and two of the four dugouts 
 found had to be burned out, as Germans were found coming out of 
 them after the bombing party had passed and showed fight. 
 
 (d) The Stokes gun kept up an accurate fire on Point Y, and 
 thereby probably prevented the retirement of the Germans who 
 were captured. 
 
 No Mills rifle grenades were used, as our men successfully out- 
 threw the enemy with hand grenades. 
 
 The battalion made a successful attack on a German strong point 
 and bombed up the trench to the north of it. 
 
 The attack was made about midnight; during the day our artillery 
 and Stokes mortars had shelled the strong point. This was V shaped, 
 vide sketch. 
 
 Two platoons were directed to attack across the open (A on sketch), 
 and bombing parties to bomb up^the trench on either side (B and C 
 on sketch), and to join up with them. 
 
 Immediately before the assault the strong point was bombarded 
 for a few minutes with rifle grenades. The enterprise was carefully 
 timed, and each party reached its objective simultaneously and soon 
 joined hands. 
 
 A considerable number of Germans were found in the deep dugouts 
 and taken prisoners. Others ran up the trench (D on sketch), 
 followed by our bombers, who killed several and took more prison- 
 ers; but finding they had pushed beyond their objective and that 
 the enemy we're rallying and trying to surround them they retired 
 to the bomb stop which was being made at the prearranged objective. 
 
113 
 
 As but little opposition was at first met with the bombing parties 
 pushed on very quickly. 
 
 Branching off to the right and left were a large number of deep 
 dugouts and trenches, and after finding "stops" over each dugout 
 
 Stop 
 
 bombing teams for each branch trench and working parties to make 
 barricades few men were left when the final objective was reached 
 where the most resistance was experienced. It was found more satis- 
 factory to attack by daylight than by night, owing to the difficulty 
 of seeing where the various dugouts and branch trenches led to. 
 
 97777_17 - 8 
 
114 
 
 PLATE 
 
 THROWING STANDING IN THE OPEN. 
 
115 
 
 PLATE IA. 
 
 POSITION AFTER THROWING. 
 
116 
 
 PLATE 2. 
 
 THROWING KNEELING. 
 
117 
 
 PLATE 3. 
 
 THROWING FROM A DEEP TRENCH. 
 
118 
 
 PLATE 3A. 
 
 AFTER THROWING FROM A DEEP TRENCH. 
 
119 
 
 PLATE 4. 
 
120 
 
121 
 
 PLATE 6. 
 
122 
 
123 
 
124 
 
 PLATE 10. 
 
125 
 
 PLATE 10A. 
 
 o 
 
14 DAY USE 
 
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 Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 
 
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 RECTO t 
 
 
 JAN 2? 1358 
 
 JcflSf 
 
 
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 MAY 1 8 199* 
 
 
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 LD 21-50m-8,'57 
 (,C8481slO)476 
 
 General Library 
 
 University of California 
 
 Berkeley 
 
Pamphlet 
 
 Binder 
 Gaylord Bros. 
 
 Makers 
 
 Stockton, Calif. 
 PAT. JAN. 21, 1908 
 
 YC 
 
 664358 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY