British Grenades - Section 2

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BRITISHGRENADES

Section2AlphabeticSeries

1995&2012

NormanBonney

NAB 03/12 Part 2 Sect 2 Page 1

SECTION 2

1 ALPHABETIC SERIES

2 This part of the pamphlet deals with a previously largely unrecorded series of grenades that were hurriedly designed and introduced in response to the demands of GHQ France for chemical grenades following the notorious use of gas by the Germans in April 1915. In fact the first demand for chemical munitions had arrived on the desk of Colonel Jackson of the War Office branch Fortifications and Works 3A several months earlier and some work on noxious substances had already commenced as a result. The communication is shown below:

Fowke E-in-C GHQ to Lt Col Jackson FW3A 3.12.14 I have been asked to provide stinkpots! Also I know nothing of them beyond their association with the dark ages. They want some kind of hand grenade which will create smoke and stink as well as scatter deadly missiles. - Do you know of any composition which will produce the desired result?

3 Some 50 substances had been investigated when in January 1915 scientists at Imperial College, South Kensington discovered the powerful lachrymatory effects of ethyl iodoacetate (code named SK after South Kensington). Trials with glass flasks filled SK contained in tin canisters were completed very quickly but supply to the front had not commenced by the time of the German offensive on 22nd April 1915. The use of cylinder gas by the Germans prompted similar development work in Britain. Pending this development various chemical grenades would be issued to the BEF in France.

4 The design of the empty grenades was influenced by the likely chemical fillings and also by the means of projection. Three basic chemical categories were identified:

4.1 Chemicals reacting with tin-plate.

4.2 Liquids not reacting with tin-plate.

4.3 Solids not reacting with tin-plate.

and designs Types A, B and C were rapidly produced to meet the immediate demands. Further designs followed to accommodate the specific requirements of the fillings and to economise in container manufacture. In most cases the form of projection was to be a bomb engine, either a trench catapult or the West Spring Gun.

5 The first grenades were issued in May 1915 using sulphur dioxide, an irritant, and carbon bisulphide, an incendiary and asphyxiating substance used for destroying animal pests. To increase their efficiency both materials were mixed with capsicine, a sternutator. In the latter half of 1915, with the exception of SK, grenades were supplied with fillings described as annoyers. These were Hillite, a mixture of capsicine and magnesium carbonate; Westonite, a mixture of sulphur chloride and bromine; and white phosphorus or Fumite.

6 In January 1916 the General Staff ruled that all of the annoyers were of no military value announcing the demise of most of these chemical grenades. In the autumn of 1916 there was renewed interest in the use of chemical grenades, particularly hand grenades, for the clearing of dug-outs. The MSK Type Q grenade was re-introduced at this time using a Service nomenclature, improved fuze mechanisms and fillings were soon produced and the grenade superseded but it should be noted that the MSK Grenade was used in late 1916 to experiment at the front with the lethal filling White Star, a chlorine and phosgene mixture.

7 Despite their generally fragile nature examples of these chemical grenades survive.


DATA SHEET NO 2/1 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE A

1 DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915.

2 DIMENSIONS:

2.1 Length/Height 135 mm.

2.2 Diameter 76 mm.

3 WEIGHT:

3.1 Filled with fuze:

3.2 Empty without fuze or flask: 199 g.

4 FILLING: Chemical compositions in liquid or solid form. Known to have been filled with:

4.1 Sulphur Chloride and Bromine (Westonite Grenade), a green liquid.

4.2 170 cc Sulphur Dichloride (Eastonite Grenade), a green liquid.

5 FUZE TYPE: Brock Lighter comprising Fuze, Safety and Detonator No 8 Mk VII

6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of a tin plate Shell, cylindrical in form with two end caps, the bottom one of which is fixed and the top one removable. It is fitted internally with a Glass Container for the chemical filling mounted on felt lined tin plate cylinders soldered to the end caps. A copper sleeve to receive the No 8

Detonator of the Brock Lighter was formed in side of the bottom closing cap of the container. Two copper binding wires are soldered into the bottom cover for retaining the Brock Lighter.

7 REMARKS:

7.1 The grenade was produced under War Office direction in 1915 for use with chemicals which reacted with tin plate containers. The grenade was projected from a catapult or spring gun. 18,220 grenades filled Westonite were ordered in 1915.

7.2 The Westonite Grenade was marked on the base with a large blue cross. The Eastonite Grenade was unmarked.


Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type A

Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type A


DATA SHEET NO 2/2 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE B


2 DIMENSIONS:

2.1 Length/Height 127 mm. 81 mm (Short).

2.2 Diameter 76 mm. 81 mm (Short).

3 WEIGHT:

2.1 Filled with fuze:

2.2 Empty without fuze: 148 g. 135 g (Short).

4 FILLING: Liquid chemical compositions.

5 FUZE TYPE: Brock Lighter comprising Fuze, Safety and Detonator No 8 Mk VII.

6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of a tin plate Body, cylindrical in form. A copper sleeve to receive the No 8 Detonator of the Brock Lighter is formed in the top closing cover of the container. Similarly a lead filling pipe is soldered such that it penetrated the top cover. Two copper binding wires are soldered into the top cover for retaining the Brock Lighter.

7 REMARKS:

7.1 The grenade was produced under War Office direction in 1915 for use with liquid chemical compositions which do not

react with tin plate. The grenade was projected from a catapult or spring gun. Shorter, 3-inch cylinders, were devised to overcome launching problems with the 5-inch container.

7.2 The designation of the shorter container is unknown but typically, as the second version of the Type B, it would have been known as Type B2.

Fig 1 Grenades Chemical Type B


Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type B


DATA SHEET NO 2/3 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE C


2 DIMENSIONS:

2.1 Length/Height 127 to 139 mm.

2.2 Diameter 76 mm.

3 WEIGHT:

3.1 Filled with fuze: 617 g.

3.2 Empty without fuze: 149 g.

4 FILLING: Solid materials notably 450 g Red (Amorphous) Phosphorus.


6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of a tin plate body, cylindrical in form. Two copper retaining wires and a copper sleeve were soldered into the top closing cover to receive the Brock Lighter. A 38 mm circular filling hole is made in the base cover. The filling hole is closed by a soldered disc after filling.

7 REMARKS:

7.1 The grenade was produced under War Office direction in 1915 for use with solid materials.

7.2 The grenade was designed to be projected from a catapult or spring gun but could be hand thrown. The grenade

was later confined to Red Phosphorus fillings and became the No 26 Grenade.

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type C


Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type C


DATA SHEET NO 2/4 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE D


2 DIMENSIONS:


2.2 Diameter 101 mm.

3 WEIGHT:



4 FILLING: 114 g Ammonal.


6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of a body was constructed from tin plate, spherical in form with a rolled thread neck and cap. Two copper wires are soldered to the closing cap to retain the Brock Lighter.

7 REMARKS:

7.1 The grenade was produced under War Office direction in 1915 for use with solid chemicals which did not react with the container.

7.2 The grenade was projected from a catapult or spring gun.

7.3 Hillite was used as a filling but the grenade was too light for projection. The grenades were filled with a half charge of explosive for training purposes.

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type D


Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type D


DATA SHEET NO 2/5 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE E

1 DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915 and 1916.

2 DIMENSIONS:

a. Length/Height 89 mm.

b Diameter 76 mm.

3 WEIGHT:

a. Filled with fuze: 206 g when filled HE. 114 g when filled Hillite.

b. Empty without fuze: 82 g.

4 FILLING: Sawdust and Hillite, a mild lachrymatory composition in powder form, comprising Capsicine and Magnesium Carbonate. Records also show that the grenade could be filled with 4 oz Ammonal or Amatol 80/20.

5 FUZE TYPE: Brock Lighter comprising Fuze, Safety and a No 8 Detonator. For use with Hillite filled grenades the detonator tube was filled with RFG2 or, later, Ophorite.

6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of a body constructed from tin plate, spherical in form with a rolled thread cap which, in the original pattern, screws into the body of the grenade. Two copper wires are soldered to the closing cap for retaining the Brock Lighter. To permit simpler manufacture and handling the design was changed to give a cap which screwed onto an externally formed neck.

7 REMARKS:

7.1 The grenade was produced under War Office direction in 1915 for filling with solid materials and was used almost exclusively as a gas training grenade filled with a small amount of Hillite.

7.2 The grenade was re-introduced into Service as the No 33 Grenade.

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type E


Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type E


DATA SHEET NO 2/6 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE F

1 DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915

2 DIMENSIONS:



3 WEIGHT:



4 FILLING: 312 g Ammonal.


6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of a body was constructed from tin plate, spherical in form with a rolled thread neck and cap. Two copper wires are soldered to the closing cap for retaining the Brock Lighter.

7 REMARKS:

7.1 The grenade was produced under War Office direction in 1915 for use with solid chemicals which did not react with the container.


7.3 Records only show this grenade to be filled with Ammonal for instructional purposes. Identical in construction to the Type D.

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type F


Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type F


DATA SHEET NO 2/7 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE G2

1 DATE OF INTRODUCTION: September 1915 to replace Type A.

2 DIMENSIONS:



3 WEIGHT:

3.1 Filled with fuze: Not known

3.2 Empty without fuze: Not known

4 FILLING: Chemical compositions in liquid or solid form.


6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Fig 1) consists of a body constructed from two hemispherical tin plate cups. A dome, lined with felt, is formed in the upper cup. A tin plate ring is soldered into the lower cup and lined with felt. The upper cup fits over the lower cup, forming a sphere, and is removable to permit the insertion of a glass container which is held in place by the two felt cylinders. A copper tube is soldered into the upper cup. Two copper binding wires are soldered to the copper tube for retaining the Brock Lighter.

7 REMARKS:

7.1 The grenade was produced under Ministry of Munitions direction in 1915 for use with chemicals that reacted with tin plate containers.


7.3 The grenade Type G2 is an improved Type G differing only in the diameter of the lower felt cylinder which, on the G2, is greater to give improved stability of the glass container.


Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type G2


DATA SHEET NO 2/8 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE H


2 DIMENSIONS:


2.2 Diameter 76 mm.

3 WEIGHT:

3.1 Filled with fuze: Not known

3.2 Empty without fuze: 345 g

4 FILLING: Hillite, a mild lachrymatory composition in powder form, comprising Capsicine and Magnesium Carbonate.


6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of a body constructed from tin plate, cylindrical in form. It was weighted with rings of tinned steel wire soldered to each end of the container. A copper sleeve was formed in the top closing cover of the container. Two copper binding wires are soldered to the top cover for retaining the Brock Lighter.

7 REMARKS:

7.1 The grenade was produced under War Office direction in 1915 for use with dry powder chemical fillings. It was only used with Hillite and was referred to as the Hillite No 2 Grenade.


Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type H


Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type H


DATA SHEET NO 2/9 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE K


2 DIMENSIONS:



3 WEIGHT:

a. Filled with fuze: Not known

b. Empty without fuze: 114 g.

4 FILLING: White Phosphorus.


6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of a body constructed from two tin plate hemispheres, joined with a double wrapped and soldered seam. A copper sleeve was soldered into the top hemisphere and two copper wires are soldered adjacent to the sleeve for retaining the Brock Lighter. The lower hemisphere was formed with a 41 mm filling hole which was covered with a soldered disc after filling.

7 REMARKS:

7.1 The grenade was produced under War Office direction in 1915.


Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type K


Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type K


DATA SHEET NO 2/10 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE L


2 DIMENSIONS:



3 WEIGHT:

a. Filled with fuze: Not known

b. Empty without fuze or bulb: 369 g.



6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of a body constructed from tin plate, spherical in form with a rolled thread neck and cap. It was weighted with lead wire soldered around the centre of the container. A copper sleeve was formed in the screw top closing cap and a Sparklets CO2 bulb, to aid distribution of the powder on functioning, was fixed to the sleeve. Two copper wires are soldered to the closing cap for retaining the Brock Lighter.

7 REMARKS:

a. The grenade was produced under War Office direction in 1915 for use with dry powder chemical fillings. Only filled Hillite and was known as the Hillite No 1 Grenade.


Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type L


Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type L


DATA SHEET NO 2/11 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE Q

1 DATE OF INTRODUCTION: 1915 and 1916

2 DIMENSIONS:


2.2 Diameter 84 mm.

3 WEIGHT:



4 FILLING: 220cc SK


6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Figs 1 and 2) consists of a body constructed from cast iron spherical in form with an internally threaded neck to take a cast iron closing cap and burster tube. A copper binding wire is attached to the lug on the closing cap for retaining the Brock Lighter.

7 REMARKS:

7.1 The grenade was produced under War Office direction in 1915 for use with SK, a powerful lachrymator.

7.2 The grenade was designed to be projected from a catapult or spring gun but was also thrown by hand.

7.3 The grenade was re-introduced in 1916 as Grenade No 28 Mark I.

7.4 It should be noted that stocks of this grenade were used to trial White Star, a lethal chemical comprising Chlorine and Phosgene. The purpose of this grenade was for clearing dug-outs. For identification the grenade was marked with a white band.

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type Q


Fig 2 Grenade Chemical Type Q


DATA SHEET NO 2/12 GRENADE CHEMICAL GLASS

1 DATE OF INTRODUCTION: probably 1915.

2 DIMENSIONS:


2.2 Diameter 70 mm.

3 WEIGHT:

3.1 Filled: Not known

3.2 Empty: 514 g.

4 FILLING: Jellite, a lethal mixture of prussic acid, chloroform and triacetyl cellulose with a jelly like consistency.

5 FUZE TYPE: None, frangible container.

6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Fig 1) consists of a thick green glass bottle of round section. Cast into the glass is the makers name, J MILLS & SONS LONDON.

7 REMARKS: The development of this grenade is unknown. It may have been produced by the War Office or perhaps the Admiralty, since the manufacture of Jellite was organised in one of their factories. An exhibit was donated to the Imperial War Museum by the War Office in 1919.

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Glass Filled Jellite


DATA SHEET NO 2/13 GRENADE CHEMICAL NO I 1 DATE OF INTRODUCTION: May 1915

2 DIMENSIONS:

2.1 Length/Height Not known

2.2 Diameter Not known

3 WEIGHT:


3.2 Empty: Not known

4 FILLING: Sulphur Dioxide (irritant) and Oleum Capsicum (sternutator).

5 FUZE TYPE: Not known

6 DESIGN FEATURES: Not known.

7 REMARKS:


7.2 33,350 ordered in May 1915.


DATA SHEET NO 2/14 GRENADE CHEMICAL NO II

1 DATE OF INTRODUCTION: May 1915

2 DIMENSIONS:



3 WEIGHT:



4 FILLING: Carbon Bisulphide (incendiary and asphyxiator) and Oleum Capsicum (sternutator).

5 FUZE TYPE: Not known


7 REMARKS:


7.2 16,650 ordered in May 1915.


DATA SHEET NO 2/15 GRENADE CHEMICAL SK


2 DIMENSIONS:

a. Length/Height Not known

b Diameter Not known

3 WEIGHT:

a. Filled: Not known

b. Empty: Not known

4 FILLING: SK, a powerful lachrymator.

5 FUZE TYPE: Brocks.


7 REMARKS:


DATA SHEET NO 2/16 GRENADE THRELFALLITE


2 DIMENSIONS:



3 WEIGHT:



4 FILLING: Threlfallite, comprising white phosphorus (about 25 g), petrol and paraffin oil.

5 FUZE TYPE: Brocks.


7 REMARKS:


DATA SHEET NO 2/17 GRENADE CYLINDRICAL STONEWARE


2 DIMENSIONS:



3 WEIGHT:




5 FUZE TYPE: None, frangible container.


7 REMARKS: A small number were issued to the Special Companies of the Royal Engineers presumably for training purposes.


DATA SHEET NO 2/18 GRENADE EARTHENWARE


2 DIMENSIONS:


2.2 Diameter 57 mm.

3 WEIGHT:



4 FILLING: Not known

5 FUZE TYPE: Match head striker and safety fuze. Burster unknown.

6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Fig 1) consists of an earthenware frangible body.

7 REMARKS: The status, filling and additional construction of this grenade are unknown. The drawing was produced by the Experimental Station, Porton.

Fig 1 Grenade Chemical Type Earthenware


Fig 1 Grenade Snuff 6 DESIGN FEATURES: The grenade (see Fig 1) consists of a spherical cardboard body filled with the powdered mixture. The body is fitted with central cardboard tube containing the fuze. The grenade is wrapped in black waterproof tape. The fuze head is covered with waterproofed paper tape and is fitted with a cloth band which is pulled to expose the match head. The grenade is ignited with a brassard.

7 REMARKS: The grenade was designed and manufactured by Brocks Fireworks as an irritant grenade for use in dug-out clearing.

5 FUZE TYPE: Brocks match head striker, short delay fuze and bursting composition.

a. Length/Height 120 mm including fuze.

DATA SHEET NO 2/19 GRENADE SNUFF

4 FILLING: Powdered mixture including snuff.

a. Filled: Not known

b Diameter 106 mm

b. Empty: 151 g

1 DATE OF INTRODUCTION: About 1915

2 DIMENSIONS:

3 WEIGHT:

SECTION 2DATA SHEET NO 2/1 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE ADATA SHEET NO 2/3 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE CDATA SHEET NO 2/4 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE DDATA SHEET NO 2/5 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE EDATA SHEET NO 2/6 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE FFig 2 Grenade Chemical Type FDATA SHEET NO 2/7 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE G2DATA SHEET NO 2/8 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE HDATA SHEET NO 2/9 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE KDATA SHEET NO 2/10 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE LDATA SHEET NO 2/11 GRENADE CHEMICAL TYPE QFig 2 Grenade Chemical Type QDATA SHEET NO 2/12 GRENADE CHEMICAL GLASSDATA SHEET NO 2/14 GRENADE CHEMICAL NO IIDATA SHEET NO 2/15 GRENADE CHEMICAL SKDATA SHEET NO 2/16 GRENADE THRELFALLITEDATA SHEET NO 2/17 GRENADE CYLINDRICAL STONEWAREDATA SHEET NO 2/18 GRENADE EARTHENWAREFig 1 Grenade Chemical Type EarthenwareDATA SHEET NO 2/19 GRENADE SNUFF

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British Grenades - Section 2