FACTOID # 123: The top five countries of origin for refugees are all in Africa.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

FACTS & STATISTICS    Simple view

  1. Select countries to view: (hold down Control key and click to select several)

     

     

    Compare:

     

     

  1. Select fact or statistic: (* = graphable)

     

     

     

  2. (OPTIONAL) Compare to statistic: (both need to be graphable)

     

     

     

  3. View result as:

     

       
(OR) SEARCH ALL encyclopedia, stats & forums:   

Encyclopedia > Model 24 grenade

The Model 24 Stielhandgranate (In English: Stick Hand Grenade) was the standard hand grenade of the German Army from the end of World War I until the end of World War II. The very distinctive appearance led to it being called a "stick grenade", or "Potato Masher" in British Army slang, and is today one of the most easily recognised hand grenades of the 20th Century. Grenade may refer to: The well-known hand grenade commonly used by soldiers. ... The German Army (German: Heer, [IPA: heɐ]  ) is the land component of the Bundeswehr (Federal Defence Forces) of the Federal Republic of Germany. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Slang is the use of highly informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speakers dialect or language. ... For the alcoholic beverage sold in New Orleans, see hand grenade (drink). ...

Contents

Design and Operation

The stick grenade was introduced in 1915 and the design developed throughout World War I. A friction igniter was used - this method was uncommon in other countries but widely used for German grenades.


A pull cord ran down the hollow handle from the detonator within the explosive head, terminating in a porcelain ball held in place by a detachable base closing cap. To use the grenade, the base cap was unscrewed, permitting the ball and cord to fall out. Pulling the cord dragged a roughened steel rod through the igniter causing it to flare-up and start the five-second fuse burning. This allowed the grenade to be hung from fences to prevent them from being climbed; any disturbance to the dangling grenade would cause it to fall and ignite the fuse. A detonator is a device used to trigger bombs, shaped charges and other forms of explosive material and explosive devices. ... “Fine China” redirects here. ...


The first stick grenades featured a permanently revealed pull cord which came out from the handle near the bottom (rather than tucked inside the removable screw-capped base). These exposed pull cords had a tendency to accidentally snag and detonate the grenades while being carried, causing severe (usually fatal) injuries.


Stick grenades were stored in cases for transport, and their fuse assemblies inserted prior to going into combat - a reminder for the user was stenciled on each explosive charge ("VOR GEBRAUCH SPRENGKAPSEL EINSETZEN", in English: "Before use insert detonator"). The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...


This type of grenade, featuring a high explosive charge encased in a thin sheet steel can, is an example of an "offensive" (relying on blast effect), rather than "defensive" (fragmentation) grenade. A serrated fragmentation sleeve (Splitterring) was adopted in 1942 which could be slid over the head of the grenade. Fragments of the sleeve would be scattered on detonation, making the grenade more effective against personnel. The stick provided a lever, significantly improving the throwing distance. The Model 24 could be thrown approximately 30-40 yards, whereas the British [1] could only be thrown about 15 yards.The design also minimized the risk of the grenade rolling downhill back towards the thrower when used in hilly terrain or in urban areas. For the alcoholic beverage sold in New Orleans, see hand grenade (drink). ... For the alcoholic beverage sold in New Orleans, see hand grenade (drink). ... The Splitterring was a fragmentation sleeve for the M24 and M43 stick grenades, developed by the German army in 1942. ...


The grenades were extremely useful for clearing out entrenched infantry positions. Although they were not individually very effective against armoured vehicles and fortifications, the grenade could be used in an improvised "bundle" style with another six explosive heads (without their sticks) wired around the central stick grenade. These were known as Geballte Ladung (literally "balled charge" or "concentrated charge"). Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, bicycles, or other means. ... An armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) is a military vehicle, equipped with protection against hostile attacks and often mounted weapons. ... Table of Fortification, from the 1728 Cyclopaedia. ...


Variants

WWI German grenade and its Austro-Hungarian ceramic counterpart
WWI German grenade and its Austro-Hungarian ceramic counterpart

The Stielhandgranate went through numerous variants, several versions being deployed in World War I before a settled design emerged in 1917. Into World War II the grenade had a slightly smaller head and the unnecessary belt clip was removed. Image File history File links MWP_Stielhandgranate_. ... Image File history File links MWP_Stielhandgranate_. ...


Each change was essentially a move towards a lighter device which was easier and less costly to manufacture, and to these ends the Model 24 was eventually superseded by the simpler Model 43 grenade, although the former continued to be used through to the end of the war. The Model 43 Stielhandgranate was introduced by the German Army mid way through World War II to supercede the Model 24 (the atypical stick grenade). ...


Numerous ersatz variations were developed towards the end of the war as Germany's resources and production capabilities dwindled. Other than the common high explosive (HE) stick grenade, Germany produced a smokescreen version, which existed in an early and later model and is easily identified by a white band around the handle and (on the later model) a grooved handgrip to permit a user to differentiate it from the regular explosive version in the dark by touch alone. As a cold climate could cause the Model 24 to fail to detonate, a special explosive powder was used in those destined for Russia, and these were marked with 'K' (Kalt or "cold") on the can. Inert (non-exploding) training versions were also produced. Ersatz is a German name (literal meaning: substitute) for products, especially chemical compounds and provisions developed in wartimes when shortage of certain goods was imminent. ... A U.S. Army Humvee laying a smoke screen A smoke-screen is a release of smoke in order to mask the movement or location of military units such as infantry, tanks or ships. ...


The stick grenade concept was also used in the Far East by the Imperial Japanese Army and the Chinese National Revolutionary Army in World War II, and later the Chinese Communists, who supplied the locally-manufactured "Type 67" to the NLF and People's Army of Vietnam. The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) (KyÅ«jitai: 大日本帝國陸軍, Shinjitai: , Romaji: Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun) was the official ground based armed force of Imperial Japan from 1867 to 1945. ... The National Revolutionary Army (NRA) (Chinese: 國民革命軍; pinyin: guo2 min2 ge2 ming4 jun1) was the national army of the Republic of China. ... Communist Party of China flag The Communist Party of China (Simplified Chinese: 中国共产党; Traditional Chinese: 中國共産黨; pinyin: Zhōnggu ngchǎndǎng) is the ruling party of the Peoples Republic of China. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN) is the term used by the Vietnamese for their armed forces. ...


Collecting

German stick grenades were desirable souvenirs for Allied soldiers in World War II, and originals are still much sought after by collectors. There is also a market in replicas, with examples of these being of varied quality and accuracy; many have a fundamentally incorrect profile and are notably lacking in details.


See also

// MP 18 I (WWI Bergmann) MP 28 II (improved MP 18 I) MP 30(ö) (ex-Austrian S1-100 variant) MP 34(ö) (ex-Austrian Steyr Solothurn) MP 34 Bgm (Bergmann) MP 35 (Bergmann version of the MP.34 Bgm. ... The Model 39 Eihandgranate (or Eierhandgranate, egg hand grenade) was a German hand grenade introduced in 1939 and produced until the end of World War II. The Eihandgranate used the same fuze assembly (the BZE 39) as the Model 43 Stielhandgranate (Stick Grenade), which was screwed into the top of... The Model 43 Stielhandgranate was introduced by the German Army mid way through World War II to supercede the Model 24 (the atypical stick grenade). ... The RGD-33 is a Soviet issue hand grenade, widely used during World War II and afterwards. ... The Splitterring was a fragmentation sleeve for the M24 and M43 stick grenades, developed by the German army in 1942. ...

External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
North Cape Publications (11131 words)
A modification of the famous Mauser bolt action, The Model 1903 Springfield was legendary for its accuracy in the hands of a well-trained rifleman.
The M16's replacement, which incorporates a 20 mm grenade launcher, is already well-advanced in testing and is due to be introduced by mid-decade.
Every model of rifle, shotgun or handgun manufactured to 1998 is listed and described in terms of outstanding features, markings and other means of identifications.
  More results at FactBites »


 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.