No. 73 grenade
| No. 73 | |
|---|---|
Second World War | |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.5 pounds (2.0 kg) |
| Length | 11 inches (280 mm) |
| Diameter | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Filling | Polar ammonal gelatine dynamite or nitrogelatine |
| Filling weight | 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) |
Detonation mechanism | Impact |
The No. 73 grenade, also known as the "Thermos", "Woolworth bomb",
Development
With the end of the Battle of France and the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the port of Dunkirk between 26 May and 4 June 1940, a German invasion of Great Britain seemed likely.[4] The British Army was not well-equipped to defend the country in such an event; in the weeks after the Dunkirk evacuation it could only field twenty-seven divisions.[5] The Army was particularly short of anti-tank guns, 840 of which had been left behind in France leaving only 167 available in Britain; ammunition was so scarce for the remaining guns that regulations forbade any being used for training purposes.[5]
As a result of these shortcomings, new anti-tank weapons had to be developed to equip the British Army and the
Design
The No. 73 grenade had a roughly cylindrical shape and plastic screw-on cap,[8] similar to that of a Thermos flask, from which the "Thermos bomb" nickname was derived.[9] It was approximately 3.5 inches (89 mm) in diameter and 11 inches (280 mm) in length,[10] and weighed 4.5 pounds (2.0 kg). Its explosive content consisted of 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) of polar ammonal gelatine dynamite or nitrogelatine – both of which were highly flammable and could be detonated by the impact of small-arms fire.[8] When thrown at a tank or other vehicle, a weighted tape held in the users hand unravelled and pulled free a safety pin, which was attached to a Type 247 "all-ways" fuze (the same type used in the Gammon bomb and No. 69 grenade); this armed and then detonated the grenade.[11] Its weight meant that it could only be thrown short distances,[2] limiting its range to between 10 and 15 yards (9 and 14 m),[8] and its detonation could injure the user if they did not find cover before it detonated.[2] It was able to penetrate 2 inches (51 mm) of armour,[12] and "damage severely any light tank."[3] It was best used against the tracks of a tank, which it could easily blow off[8] and force its crew to waste time by stopping and repairing it.[13]
Operational history
The No. 73 grenade was first issued in the last months of 1940, but it was rarely used as an anti-tank grenade; instead the fuze was usually removed and it was used as a demolition charge. It was withdrawn from service within a year, and reissued again in 1943 for the express purpose of being used for demolition work.
See also
- British anti-invasion preparations of the Second World War
- RPG-40 – soviet anti-tank hand-grenade used during the World War Two
- Blacker Bombard – World War II-era British anti-tank weapon invented by Lt Col Stewart Blacker
- Smith Gun – artillery
- Northover Projector – grenade launcher
- PIAT – rocket-propelled grenade
References
- ^ Military Training Manual No 42.
- ^ a b c d Mackenzie, p. 92
- ^ a b Hogg, p. 239
- ^ Mackenzie, p. 20
- ^ a b Lampe, p. 3
- ^ Hogg, pp. 237–239
- ^ Hogg, pp. 239–240
- ^ a b c d e Rottman, World War II Infantry Assault Tactics, p. 25
- ^ Longmate, p. 77
- ^ Rottman, World War II Infantry Assault Tactics, p. 62
- ^ Bull, p. 30
- ^ Rottman, World War II Infantry Anti-Tank Tactics, p. 62
- ^ Bull, pp. 30–31
- ^ Šolc, Jiří: Nikdo nás nezastaví. Prague 1992
Bibliography
- Bull, Stephen; Dennis, Peter; Delf, Brian; Chappell, Mike; Windrow, Martin (2004). World War II Infantry Tactics. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-663-1.
- Hogg, Ian (1995). Tank Killers: Anti-Tank Warfare by Men and Machines. Pan Macmillan. ISBN 0-330-35316-0.
- Lampe, David (1968). The Last Ditch: Britain's Secret Resistance and the Nazi Invasion Plan. Greenhill Books. ISBN 978-1-85367-730-4.
- Longmate, Norman (1974). The Real Dad's Army: The Story of the Home Guard. Hutchinson Library Services.
- Lowry, Bernard; Taylor, Chris; Boulanger, Vincent (2004). British Home Defences 1940–45. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-767-0.
- Mackenzie, S.P. (1995). The Home Guard: A Military and Political History. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-820577-5.
- Rottman, Gordon L.; Noon, Steve; Windrow, Martin (2005). World War II Infantry Anti-Tank Tactics. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-842-1.
- Rottman, Gordon L.; Dennis, Peter (2008). World War II Infantry Assault Tactics. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-191-5.
- The Hand Percussion Grenade (Anti-tank No. 73, Mark I). Tank Hunting and Destruction, Military Training Manual No 42, Appendix D. War Office. February 1941.
External links
- School for Home Guard – news item featuring thermos bomb (Newsreel). British Pathé. 7 August 1941. Retrieved 8 March 2010.
- Home Guard website article