German Explosive Ordnance - German Mines and Grenades (Part 9)

        

German Explosives

Stielhandgranates 24 and 39

Model 24

Overall Length: 1 ft 2 inches

Diameter of body: 2 and 3/4 inches

Weight: 1/2 pound

Weight of Explosive Filler: 6 ounces

Explosive Filler: TNT

Model 39

Overall Length: 1 ft 4 inches

Diameter of body: 2 and 3/4 inches

Weight: 1 pound 6 ounces

Weight of Explosive Filler: 7 ounces

Explosive Radius: 16 yards

Color: Olive Drab

Description: These grenades are similar in all characteristics except size.  These grenades consist of a thin iron or steel casing, or head, containing the explosive filler, which is screwed onto a hollow wooden handle, through the center of which runs a double length of cord.  This cord is attached at one end to a lead ball which is part of the igniter, and at the other end to a porcelain ball.  The cavity in which the porcelain ball rests is closed by a metal cap that screws on.  Inside the cap is a spring-actuated metal disc that prevents movement of the porcelain ball.

These grenades use igniters B.Z. 24 consisting of a lead tube or sheath connected to a threaded brass fitting by a short steel tube.  The steel tube is threaded on both ends and contains the power delay pellet.  The lead tube contains the copper capsule which holds the friction composition.  The friction wire is cast in the friction composition and contained in the capsule which is coiled at the bottom to provide resistance to pulling and joined to the "pull" loop at its opposite end.  When the loop is pulled, it frees itself from the lead tube drawing the wire through the friction composition and the resulting flame ignites the delay pellet.

Operation: The metal cap is unscrewed from the handle and the porcelain ball is pulled.  This will pull a wire through the delay pellet.  The grenade is then thrown and after a 4- to 5-second delay the delay pellet will initiate the detonator.

Stielhandgranate 43

Overall Length: 1 ft 3 inches

Diameter of body: 2 and 3/4 inches

Weight: 1/2 pound

Weight of Explosive Filler: 6 ounces

Explosive Filler: TNT

Description: This grenade consists of a thin iron or steel casing, or head, containing the explosive filler.  This is secured to the wooden stick handle by four deep stabs.  The igniter screws into the top of this head and is of the standard pull friction type, had a blue head and a 4- to 5-second delay.

This grenade differs from the standard Model 24 stick grenade only in the position of the igniter and method of affixing the explosive head to the stick handle.  Usually this type is found with a fragmentation sleeve.

Eierhandgranate 39

Overall Length: 3 inches

Maximum Diameter: 2 inches

Weight: 12 ounces

Color: Black body with blue igniter head

Description: This is a small thin-case offensive type grenade with a high proportion of a low-grade explosive.  It is ignited by a friction type igniter and a 4- to 5-second delay pellet.  This grenade uses the B.Z.E. friction-type igniter.  The short body of this igniter is usually made of brass and contains a friction composition in which a friction wire is cast.  The lower end of the friction wire is coiled to provide resistance which serves to ignite the friction composition when the wire is drawn through it.  The upper end of the friction wire has a loop to which is fastened one end of a cord.  The free end of the cord is attached to a disk which is within the head.  The head screws on to the top of the body and a steel tube containing the delay pellet screws into the bottom of the body.

Operation: The igniter head is unscrewed and pulled, thus drawing the wire through the friction composition and igniting the delay pellet.  The grenade is then thrown and after a delay of 4 to 5 seconds the delay pellet will initiate the detonator thus setting off the explosive filler.

Remarks: There has been found a practice hand grenade of this type containing a spotting charge with the B.Z.E. igniter.  The German designation of this is the Eierhandgranate 39 (Ub).  A modified egg grenade has also been found with a ring attachment on the base.

Next Time: German Mines and Grenades (Part 10)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters 

German Explosive Ordnance - German Mines and Grenades (Part 8)

       

German Explosives

S-Mine 35 (A/P)

Diameter/Width: 4 inches

Depth (w/o fuze): 5 inches

Total Weight: 9 pounds

Explosive: TNT (or Amatol)

Explosive Weight: 6 and 1/2 pounds

Material: Steel

Pull or Pressure required: 9 to 13 pounds

Color: Normally brown with greenish tinge

Description: The S-Mine resembles a tin can in size and shape and was originally referred to as the "Fruit Tin" mine by the British.  It consists of an outer steel case and an inner canister which contains approximately 350 steel balls.  A central steel tube running axially through the mine receives the igniter at its upper end and acts as a flash channel.  A 4 and 1/2-second delay fitting is threaded into the bottom of this tube.  A gun powder ejection charge is located beneath the inner canister.  Three detonator tubes are space radially around the inner canister, 120 degrees apart.  A short delay element is fitted into the bottom of each of these detonator tubes.  The space between the detonator tubes is filled with explosive, either TNT or amatol.

There were various modifications in the early production models of the S-Mine, including detonator tubes made of compressed paper, minor technical differences, and use of irregular pieces of metal for shrapnel instead of steel balls.

Operation: The mine may be operated by pressure or by pull.  If it is to be operated by pressure, a standard pressure igniter, type S.Mi.Z. 35 is screwed into the top of the tube.  If the mines are to be operated by pull, a Y-connection is screwed into the top of the tube and two standard igniters of the Type Z.Z. 35 or Z.U.Z.Z. 35 are screwed into the branches of the Y.  Z.Z. 42 and electrical igniter E.S.Mi.Z. 40 also can be used.  In either case, when an igniter s fired, the flame produced ignites the 4 and 1/2-second delay powder of the tube which in turn ignites the powder charge.  The powder charge then explodes forcing the mine proper out of the canister and into the air.  At the same time the explosion of the powder charge ignites the delay powder tubes.  The delay in these tubes is long enough to permit the mine to rise 3 to 5 feet into the air before the detonators in the tubes are ignited.  The detonators then explode the charge and the steel balls are dispersed in all directions.  The effective range of these balls is between 150 and 200 yards.

Employment: When used as a pull-operated mine, it is laid in a cylindrical hole and held in place by four stakes.  Trip wires are attached to the igniters and stretched out in opposite directions.  The wires are run 4 inches above the ground and pass through eye screws fixed to the top of wooden stakes.  The recommended length for the trip wires is 21 yards with the supporting stakes at 7 yard intervals.

Remarks: Various anti-lifting devices are employed with the mine.

"Eismine" 42, Flascheneismine (Fl. Eis. Mi.) (A/P)

Length: 10.5 inches

Diameter/Width: 4 inches (maximum)

Total Weight: 5 pounds 10 ounces

Explosive: Gelatin-Donarit

Explosive Weight: 4 pounds

Material: Glass

Pull or Pressure required: Varies with igniter

Color: Clear

Description: The mine consists of a thick glass bottle resembling a quart milk bottle.  In some models there is a booster charge of penthrite wax in the neck.  There is a wooden plug with a conical recess and a central hole located at the top of the bottle neck.  The Fl. Es. Mi. Z. igniter, with detonator crimped on, fits into this hole with the detonator extending down into a hole in the booster.  An aluminum cap screws onto the top of the bottle over the igniter, with the igniter striker being just below the cap.  When in place the cap is waterproofed with a sealing compound and over this fits a rubber cap to assure complete waterproofing.

Operation: Sufficient pressure on the igniter causes detonation of the mine.

Employment: The original German theory for the use of these mines was that they should be suspended on 6-foot lengths of wire below the surface in ice-covered rivers. The mines were placed 16 feet apart and at intervals mines were set to be ignited by electric detonation.  The explosion of one mine would set up a sympathetic detonation which would explode those in the adjacent area.

The mines were later used for A/P ground mines, employing the Fl. Es. Mi. Z. igniter and adapted for use with other pressure type igniters.

Remarks: The mine is set in concrete to serve as an A/P land mine.

"Pot" Mine or "Mustard Pot" Mine - Beheles-Schutzen Mine (A/P)

Diameter/Width: 3 inches

Depth (w/ igniter): 3.5 inches

Total Weight: 12.5 pounds

Explosive: Powdered picric acid

Explosive Weight: 4 ounces

Material: Steel

Pull or Pressure required: 35 pounds

Color: Mustard brown

Description: The mine consists of a cylindrical body and a crush igniter, screwed into the top of the body by means of an adapter.  The body, which is of pressed steel, contains the explosive filling of approximately 4 ounces of powdered picric acid, and carries the top plate which is fixed by means of a rolled, overlapping flange 0.2 inch thick.

In the center, the top plate bears a screw thread into which is screwed an adapter which takes the igniter.  The adapters found in different specimens are of different materials, such as brass and plastic in various colors, suggesting local manufacture of not very high standard.

Operation: A moderate pressure on the top of the igniter crushes the metal drum and the glass ampoule inside it.  The acid pours into the white powder and a flash results from their chemical interaction, setting off the detonator, and in turn, the mine.

Remarks: This mine was manufactured for the Germans by the French.  There are other variations of this mine which embody minor manufacturing differences.

Next Time: German Mines and Grenades (Part 9)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters