Just wondering. In the part with the Warsaw Ghetto uprising they throw explosives that don't seem to use pins and explode on impact, I've never seen anything like that before so I'm wondering if anyone knows. Almost looks more like flares or dynamite.
shareThey were using the German Model 24 grenade, otherwise known to the Allies as a "potato masher." It worked by unscrewing a cap at the base of the handle and pulling a cord. This started a fuse burning for about 5 seconds before exploding. I don't think they ever showed anybody actually pulling the cord before throwing the grenade on the show.
shareThanks for answering. Your right I don't think they showed them pulling the cord during the film, I guess either due to laziness or someone goofed. Sounds like they were more efficient and easier to use than a conventional gernade but that could just be because it was a tv recreation which makes it look easier than it actually was.
sharewhatever they could get their hands on.
shareThe bouchon type fuse (pin, spoon, striker) did not gain prevalence until after the war. The german style was fairly annoying to use, and took some practice apparently. The system didn't ignite unless you used significant force and speed, so it was easy to fumble and not light it, or get misfires, so I hear. Oh, and the cap was a sheet metal thing, made on the cheap. Often froze up in the winter, etc.
And If you think unscrewing a cap then fishing out a ring and pulling is annoying, try the Japanese preferred fuse: Strike on a hard surface. And if you are in a muddy jungle?
At least once at the beginning of the uprising (I think tossing the grenade to cover their escape down the tunnels) I saw someone make a pulling motion, but in thin air. I guess their mockup grenades didn't have pull rings inside the cap at all.
the stick made the grenade easier to throw and one can throw that grenade farther than most smaller grenades. the problem with the grenade was that it took much space to carry and because of its size, it was hard to carry lots at a time. they did have other smaller grenades but most of their grenades in the resistance was from the german grenades.
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