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Hand Grenade

The document provides a comprehensive overview of hand grenades, detailing their historical use, types, components, functioning, and safety considerations. It explains the mechanics of grenade throwing, including proper techniques and positions for effective use. Additionally, it outlines safety precautions to prevent accidents when handling grenades.

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asero1800
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10 views4 pages

Hand Grenade

The document provides a comprehensive overview of hand grenades, detailing their historical use, types, components, functioning, and safety considerations. It explains the mechanics of grenade throwing, including proper techniques and positions for effective use. Additionally, it outlines safety precautions to prevent accidents when handling grenades.

Uploaded by

asero1800
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HAND GRENADE

GENERAL
From a historical point of view, the grenade as weapon is known to have been made
with the discover of explosives. It is reported to have been used as early as the 15 th century.
During that time, the grenade was shaped like a French pomegranate.

In the middle of the 17 th century, selected soldiers, then called “grenadiers”, were
using the grenade with fatal effects. But soon it fell into disuse as improved versions of the
rifle were introduced with consequently increased the range between frontlines. Sometimes
later, particularly in the 20th century, attacking troops found the grenade to be an essential
weapon. It was discovered to be effective in clearing enemy trenches and bunkers and later,
for stopping the advance of tanks.

A grenade is a small explosive or chemical bomb for military use against an enemy at
the short ranges. Grenades are of two (2) basic types – hand and launched. The hand
grenade or thrown away, while the launched grenade is fired from a launcher.

Grenades are further classified as explosive, chemical, and practice. Explosive


grenades, which produce fragmentation or blast are primarily use against enemy tanks or
personnel. Chemical grenades are used for anti-personnel, harassing, incendiary, smoke-
screening or signaling purposes. Practice grenades may be insert or have a small charge for
making practice throws.

Launched grenades are most likely to be either the anti-personnel explosive type,
with fragmentation warhead, or high-explosive anti-tank one. The latter shaped charge
warhead is very effective against armor.

Hand Grenades are fitted with a delayed-action fuse. For explosive grenades, the
delay is about 4 - 5 seconds. The fuse of a chemical grenade on the other hand has a
delayed action of 2 seconds and usually burns rather than explodes. Launched grenade have
instant fusses.

PARTS OF GRENADE
a. Pull ring
b. Safety pin / lever
c. Safety lever
d. Striker
e. Striker spring
f. Primer
g. Body
h. Detonator or igniter
i. Filler

MAIN COMPONENTS OF GRENADE


1. Body – it is the container, which holds the explosive filler. In the case of high
explosive grenades, it is that part which produce the casualty causing fragments or
shrapnel upon explosion. A grenade metal body is hollow to contain the filler explosive
charge and has an opening into which the fuse is inserted. It is color coded and
appropriately marked to identify the type of grenade.

2. Filler – it is the substance, either explosive or slow burning chemicals with


which the body of the grenade is filled. This filler charge could be TNT (Trinitrotoluene),
composition B, black powder, white phosphorous or other chemical compounds.

3. Fuse Assembly – the mechanical and chemical device the causes the filler to
detonate or burn, it is classified as either a detonating or an igniting fuse.

FUNCTIONING OF GRENADES
When the safety pin of the grenade is pulled out, the grenade is armed and it is
only the safety lever which is held down firmly by the thrower’s thumb, which keeps it
from exploding. When the Marine throws the grenade, the safety lever is released and it
flips free from the T-lug, allowing the spring-loader striker to hit the primer.

The primer when it explodes sets off the fuse delay element, which burns into the
detonator or igniter. This chain reaction is ended by the explosion or the burning of the
chemical filler in the grenade only. The entire fuse action requires only a few seconds
and causes the time delay a grenade explodes.

CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS


a. Inflicts casualties to anyone within the overpressure blast radius.
b. High explosive anti-tank defeats armor by the use of a shaped charged
c. Capable of controlling riot by employing chemical filler such as tear and
vomiting agents.
d. Can be use as screen for advancing troops, provides incendiary action.
e. The maximum casualty inflicting capability is based on the skill of the thrower.
f. Visibility affects much on the use of the grenade.

PROPER WAY OF HOLDING THE GRENADE


To be able to effectively use hand grenades, individual Rifleman must be
thoroughly trained on how to throw them. Familiarization on the safe and the proper way
of throwing the grenade must be done before Rifleman are sent to combat with these
handy and deadly weapons. To throw the grenade, you must hold it with the fingers of
the throwing hand with the safety lever firmly held under the thumb and between the
first and second joints. A left-handed thrower should grasp the grenade in the same
manner as a right-handed thrower, but with the top of the fuse pointed downward. Then
hook the forefinger of the other hand through the ring of the safety pin and prepare to
pull. Do not pull the pin unless you are ready to throw the grenade.

This skill requires a lot of confidence, Here the steps in throwing a grenade:

1 Grip the hand grenade. The safest and easiest way to grip a hand
grenade for throwing is to hold it so that the safety lever is held down by the thumb,
while keeping the pull ring (and safety clip if present) free and facing the non-throwing
hand.

2. Position the body, and arm hand relative to the hand grenade. You
should always be in a comfortable and natural position. The two (2) most important
points in accurate throwing are body-target alignment and eye-target focus. Line up your
body with target as through you were going to throw a football or baseball. Keep
watching the target as you throw and let your arm swing naturally to it. Follow through
with your throwing motion and take cover. If possible, you of a buddy should watch
where the grenade lands. Make sure you properly arm the grenade before you throw it.
The safety pin and clip should be removed while behind cover.

GRENADE THROWING POSITIONS


1. Standing Throwing Position – to throw the grenade in this position, face the
target sideways with your body balanced evenly on your both feet. Hold the grenade in
front of your body, chest high and remove the safety pin with a pulling, twisting motion.
After throwing the grenade take an additional step forward and follow through by falling
face down on the ground and absorbing the impact of your fall with your both arms. As
much as possible keep your eyes on the target to observe where the grenade actually
landed, as you fall to the prone position.

2. Prone Throwing Position – the prone position is the hardest way of throwing
the grenade and it limits both the range and accuracy of the thrower. This position is
best used when the thrower is pinned down by enemy fire, with little or no cover and
when the grenade cannot be thrown from any other position. To throw the grenade from
the prone position, lie on your back, hold the grenade across your chest and pull the pin.
Before throwing, hold on to any substantial object such as grasses or rocks on the
ground with your free hand in order to improve both your range and accuracy. As soon
as you have release the grenade, roll on to prone position on your stomach to complete
the follow through.

3. Kneeling from Prone Throwing Position – while in the prone position, hold
the grenade in front of your body and pull out the pin. Move your hands along both sides
of your shoulders and raise your body quickly, pushing upward and to the rear. Do not
rest the weight of your body on the grenade. Your left knee (if you are throwing right
handed) should remain on the ground. Bend your right leg slightly so that your body can
twist in order to get more power while you prepare to throw. As the grenade leaves your
hand, follow through and then slowly fall to the ground, slightly breaking your fall with
your arms.

4. Kneeling Throwing Position – face target sideways and kneel on the knee
nearest to your target. After throwing the grenade, continue the throwing motion so that
you will fall forward. Break your fall with your arms. Observe where the grenade actually
landed so that you can make corrections when necessary in your next throw.

SAFETY CONSIDERATION
The following constitute the precautionary measures in handling grenades:

1. Do not drop a grenades after the safety pin has been removed.
2. Do not use ball ammunition or ordinary or ordinary blank cartridge to
propel grenades.
3. Do not tamper with duds or non-exploding grenades.
4. Do not pull the safety pin until you are ready to throw the grenades.
5. If a grenade is accidentally dropped after the safety pin has been
removed, immediately pick up, throw it in the intended direction, shout
“grenade” and then seek nearby shelter or drop to the ground with the helmet
toward the grenade.

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