German Stielhandgranate Grenade Bundle...

[Nefarious]

When did the Germans start using their grenades in bundle form? I can't seem to find any info on that.

Was it WW1 or WW2? How were they carried by squads? Were they created from scratch at the front or made specifically for bundle use?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Gaidin]

Everything I have read in books or been able to find on line, including  http://www.theeasternfront.co.uk/infantry/german/germaninfantryweapons.htm , refers to the bundle as improvised.  I don't think they where ever build for that purpose.

They would wire 5-6 heads around 1 fully assembled head/stick for use against Armor and hardened positions.

Interesting thing about that grenade is it was considered offensive only, had no real fragmentation built into it.  It relied on blast effect for damage.  Later a frag sleeve was developed to slide over the can to cause more damage to personnel.

Hope that might help.

[Megalodon]

there 1st use was in WW1 as bunker busters they also dropped them from planes



They were carried in a case or a sleveless jacket or worn on a belt. and made in the field.



http://www.scribd.com/doc/12980915/1943-US-Army-WWII-German-Infantry-Weapons-203p

 

[icepac]

I'll bet some of the stronger throwers ending up having one grenade going downrange and the other six land behind him.

[Stalwart]

I'll bet some of the stronger throwers ending up having one grenade going downrange and the other six land behind him.

Only once. 

[Nefarious]

Thanks for the help Megalodon, I was finding info about WW1, but I just wasn't sure.