Grenades
A grenade is a small bomb that is either launched mechanically or by hand. It is usually created by putting flammable chemicals in a shell and then lighting it. More sophisticated grenades have developed as time goes on. Here you see a diagram of the Mills bomb, one of the most significant grenades used in World War I.
The grenade was invented in the Byzantine Empire, when they put greek fire in jars. This style of grenade dated back to the 8th century. It was invented to attack enemy castles because it could be thrown over walls. In China in 1000, Zhen Tian Lei created the first real hand grenade. These grenades had to land within 3 feet of the enemy to have any impact. In the mid-fifteenth century, Europeans developed grenades similar to the ones created by the Chinese. However, grenades were not used in European warfare until the English Civil War. These were ineffective for the same reason as the Chinese grenades: their blast radius was too small. The American Civil War introduced fragmentation grenades (grenades that distribute pieces of shell and pellets). During WWI, William Mills made the Mills bomb. This grenade had the closest similarity to the modern grenade. It was invented to attack enemy trenches and could be launched into a trench. This grenade could be thrown 15 meters (about 49 feet) but the blast radius was 150 meters (492 feet). Obviously, this caused some safety concerns. These concerns were addressed by adding a 7 second delay in explosion that allowed the soldier who threw it to run to a safer distance.
Jenny Morrison
Impact and Consequences
Different people could be affected differently by the use of grenades.
Soldiers near the front line in Europe would have used grenades every day. They were most likely negatively affected by the power of grenades and the fact that a single grenade could kill many people. Soldiers also often made makeshift grenades, teaching them to be resourceful in their fighting.
Leaders of warring nations commonly used grenades. They would use it because it allows a large effect and fatality rate for a relatively economic price.
Civilians who lived near the front lines could have been frightened by the noise and detonation of grenades. However, because the World War I grenade had a blast radius of about 492 feet, they would not have to worry about their houses being harmed unless they lived directly on the battlefield.
Soldiers near the front line in Europe would have used grenades every day. They were most likely negatively affected by the power of grenades and the fact that a single grenade could kill many people. Soldiers also often made makeshift grenades, teaching them to be resourceful in their fighting.
Leaders of warring nations commonly used grenades. They would use it because it allows a large effect and fatality rate for a relatively economic price.
Civilians who lived near the front lines could have been frightened by the noise and detonation of grenades. However, because the World War I grenade had a blast radius of about 492 feet, they would not have to worry about their houses being harmed unless they lived directly on the battlefield.
Positive Effects
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Negative Effects
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