**USSR:**
RPG (Ruchnoy Protivotankovyy Granata=’hand-held anti-tank grenade’ in Russian) series:
**RPG40**
As its designation suggests, this weapon entered service in 1940. It could penetrate 20mm of armor. It could cause secondary damage, such as spalling, on even thicker armor. I guess this kind of damage could be achieved on armor thinner than 40mm. The grenade functions similar to the det-pack in nature, as it is just a TNT canister with a throwing handle. The grenade detonates on impact. It proved its worth against early-war German tanks. It is also useful at clearing enemy infantry positions.
However, Red Army men did not like this grenade, because of the weight and danger of this grenade: It weighted 1.2kg, and thus could only be thrown up to 15 meters away, while its blast radius was about 15m. This meant that the thrower could injure himself when throwing not from cover, even when lying prone. Throwing this grenade is very difficult when lying prone. So, the standard procedure was to throw in a stand or crouch position and drop prone immediately after. Weak spots recommended to aim at: Under the tracks, under the turret, on top of the turret, and the roof of the engine compartment. The +50% throwing range perk would still be realistic here, as the grenade reportedly could be thrown 20-25m away by soldiers with great arm strength. The RPG40 production ended in 1943, when it got replaced by the RPG-43. However, the grenade remained in service until the end of the war.
**RPG41**
A heavier version of the RPG40, it passed the field test in April 1941. It was designed because its precursor could not guarantee the destruction of a German tank. The RPG41 could pen 25mm of armor, and weighted 2kg. As a result, ordinary soldiers couldn’t throw it farther than 10 meters. The blast radius of the grenade is now 20m. The production of this grenade stopped in 1942 in favor of the RPG40, as the former was too heavy to use. The standard RPG-41 should not to be confused with the different AT grenade produced in Leningrad but with a same name. The Leningrad grenade weighted 1.3kg, its performance was somewhere between the forementioned two.
The RPG40 and 41 should be used by Soviet soldiers in the Battle of Moscow and Battle of Stalingrad campaigns. The RPG41 should be more expensive, unlocked later, and rarer.
Photos compare between the standard RPG41, Leningrad RPG41, and RPG40.
**RPG-6**
In Sep.1943, the RPG-6 grenade was accepted into service. It was a shaped charge grenade equipped with stabilizing fins and a percussion detonator. Tests showed that the grenade could penetrate up to 120mm of armor; while the RPG-43, its precursor, did not penetrate armor thicker than 75mm. This grenade only has minimal effectiveness against infantry as it uses a HEAT warhead. The RPG-6 weights 1.1kg and has a more aerodynamic silhouette. Thus, it could be thrown 20 meters by an ordinary soldier. It was used till the end of the war. The RPG-43 weighted 1.2kg and entered service in Apr.1943. Throwing an RPG-6 or RPG-43 grenade at the tracks or suspension of a tank was not recommended. The RPG-40 grenade is much more effective in this case.
Red Army soldiers in the Battle of Berlin should use the RPG-6, and have the option to use RPG-40.
The illustration below depicts the RPG43.
Sources: The evolution of hand-held anti-tank grenades RPG (topwar.ru)
Why SOVIET soldiers HATED RPG-40 and RPG-41 grenades? WW2 documentary. - YouTube
References on how to use: Tank Archives: RPG-40 Manual Tank Archives: RPG-6 and RPG-43 Manual
**UK:**
**No. 74 Grenade “Sticky Bomb” Mk. II**
The bomb was designed in 1940 to help prepare Britain for the likely German invasion. It was constructed from a frangible plastic sphere containing 567 grams of nitroglycerine and covered with a stockinette fabric to which an adhesive was applied. Once the protective steel shells around the grenade had been removed, it could be thrown at an enemy tank. When the bulbous plastic ball at the end struck the tank, it would break causing the nitro-glycerine inside to ‘cow-pat’ on the armor and remain stuck there by the glued stockinet until it was detonated. The bomb could penetrate 25mm of armor, while weighting 1.02kg. It had a fuse of 5 seconds. It was made in large numbers (2.5M) and saw service in North Africa and Italy against German and Italian forces.
The grenade was first issued in 1940 to Home Guard units, who appeared to have taken a liking to it despite its flaws. The Mk. II version became service issue in 1941. A number of sticky bombs did find their way to British and Commonwealth units participating in the North African Campaign. In Feb.1943, they accounted for six German tanks in Thala, Tunisia. The Commonwealth armies and the French resistance also used this bomb in Normandy. However, I haven’t found any approximate number on the internet.
If the No. 74 will be used in game, the grenades following attributes should be modeled:
- This grenade should stick where it lands, unless the target is a tank. Evidence: Home Guard member Bill Miles recounts the dangers of training with the Sticky Bomb: “It was while practicing that a H[ome]G[uard] bomber got his stick [sic] bomb stuck to his trouser leg and couldn’t shift it. A quick-thinking mate whipped the trousers off and got rid of them and the bomb. After the following explosion the trousers were in a bit of a mess though I think they were a bit of a mess prior to the explosion.”
A video of the grenade being demonstrated rather badly by American forces in Italy 1944: British Anti-tank Sticky Grenade - YouTube The thrower did not manage to break the glass bulb, resulting in it falling off before it exploded.
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The protective steel shell has to be removed before usage.
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The handle of this grenade would be shot away after its detonation “like a bullet.” An unlucky soldier who gets hit by it should be killed or wounded.
**No. 75 “Hawkins” Grenade**
The British faced the threat of a German amphibious invasion after the Battle of France. Most of their AT equipment were lost at Dunkirk. As a stop-gap measure, the British command decided to mass-produce AT grenades, as this would be the fastest way to generate AT equipment. After developing the first grenades (Grenade No.73 and Grenade No.74 “Sticky Bomb”), the Battle of Britain was won. So, the British could now take their time and developed more sophisticated weapons. They accepted the multi-purpose No.75 “Hawkins Grenade” in 1942. It could be used as an impact grenade, a satchel charge, or a mine. It could be thrown 20 meters away, as it weighted 1.02kg. It could penetrate 20mm of armor. Thus, the most effective use it was to lay it on the ground to destroy the tracks of incoming tanks. It was used by both Britain and the US, so Allied soldiers in the Invasion of Normandy and Battle of Tunisia should be allowed to equip it. Don’t forget, the grenade could be detonated remotely when linked to a blasting machine.
**No. 82 Grenade “Gammon Bomb”**
The Gammon bomb was developed as a replacement for the temperamental and highly dangerous “sticky bomb”. It was designed by Capt. R. S. Gammon of the British 1st Parachute Regiment. The bomb consisted of an elasticized stockinette bag made of dark colored material, a metal cap, and an “all ways” fuze, the same fuse as was found in the No. 69 grenade (in game) and No. 73 grenade “thermos bomb”.
Unlike conventional grenades, the Gammon bomb was flexible in the amount and type of munition that could be delivered to a target. For anti-personnel use, about half a stick of plastic explosive, along with shrapnel-like projectiles if available, would be placed in the bag. Against armored targets, the bag could be completely filled up with explosives, making an unusually powerful grenade which could only be thrown safely from behind cover. The bomb weighted 1.24kg when filled.
Gammon bombs were primarily issued to special forces like paratroopers who were issued plastic explosive routinely. These units found the Gammon bomb to be particularly useful due to its small size and weight when unfilled, as well as its adaptability. It was even effective against armored vehicles, and paratroopers called it their “hand artillery”. It was also popular as a small amount of the C2 fast-burning explosive could heat a mug of coffee or K-rations without giving off any smoke from the bottom of a foxhole. The Special Air Service also used this grenade. The SAS exists in Enlisted as an event squad in Tunisia, and thus may be equipped with it. Thou it is also possible that they have not used this grenade, as it was introduced to the British Army in March 1943. (The Battle of Tunisia ended in March 13.) British paratroopers only got to use it in the invasion of Sicily. However, the bomb was invented in 1941.
Hawkins grenade along with Gammon bomb.
**‘Beehive’ Charge, demolition, No.1 Mk.3**
The Beehive No.1 Mk III is a 4.536kg (10lb) cavity charge. The charge measures 6 inches in diameter and 7 inches in length, with three 4- and 1/2-inches legs attached to the base to give the proper stand-off distance to concentrate the explosive force. An 80-degree sheet steel cone is fitted to give a cavity-charge effect. A removable cap on top of the container covers a primer tube containing the primers into which the detonator is inserted. The charge will make a hole 750mm deep in concrete or 15mm of steel plate.
From time to time, other sizes of Beehives have been used by the British Army, as follows:
16~25-pound Demolition Charge No.6 Mk I
30-pound H.C. Demolition Charge Mk I (Nesting)
35~50-pound Demolition Charge No.7 Mk I
60-pound Demolition Charge No.8 Mk I
75-pound H.C. Demolition Charge No.4 Mk I
**Other field demolition charges:**
The official establishment for a British field (combat engineer) company was: “Guncotton, slabs (in boxes of 14lb.) or Explosive, plastic (packing not decided)”. Each section was to have 224lbs (102kgs) of whichever explosive was chosen given a total of 72lbs (306kgs) for the unit.
Sources:
usnbd-british-land-mines-and-firing-devices.pdf (wordpress.com)
https://stephentaylorhistorian.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/mtp-30-demolitions.pdf
**US:**
**1/2lb TNT block**
The block’s outer cover was made of waxed cardboard and both ends were made of thin pressed steel. Early charges were olive drab colored, but this was changed to yellow somewhere in the war. One side had a hole to fit a fuse. The threaded nipples of all boobytrap fuses would fit here. Although it weighs only 0.23kg (½lb), it is one of the most widely used US demolition charges in WW2. It came in boxes of 100. Charges can be taped together, or be linked together by cord. If using a timed fuse, then the fuse gets ignited by a friction fuse lighter. If using a detonating cord, the charges are detonated by a blasting machine, which creates electric current. In combat situations, a timed fuse is recommended.
**M1 demolition charge haversack (satchel charge)**
The haversack consists of 8 M1 or M2 or M3 2½lb (1.02kg) demolition blocks. The satchel weights 9kg in total and the explosives have performance slightly better than TNT. It has the same detonation methods as the half-pound block.
Reference on how to use:
2nd Battalion,305th regiment soldiers throw grenades and satchel charges into cav…HD Stock Footage - YouTube
**Germany:**
**Hafthohlladung**
The Hafthohlladung (‘adhesive hollow charge’ in German, abbreviated HHL) was primarily used by Heer tank killer squads. The first mine was issued in November 1942. With three strong magnets at its base, an infantryman could attach it to an enemy’s tank no matter the angle of the surface. The mine gets armed when the soldier pulls the ignitor at the rear of the mine. The fuse had a 4.5 second delay. It was changed to 7.5 seconds starting from May 1943. Each magnetic foot had an adhesion strength of 6.8kg-equivalent force. This means that one foot is enough to stick a mine to a tank, while removing a well-adhered mine may be difficult.
The mine came in different sizes. A post-war British report stated that the mine was known in 2, 3, 3.5, 5, 8, and even 10 kg versions. The most common weighs 3 kg. According to British tests in 1943, the 3 kg charge (HHL 3) could perforate up to 110 mm of I.T. 80 D armor plate or 20 inches of concrete, meaning that it could defeat any Allied tank then in service almost regardless of where it might be placed. In the middle of 1943, the HHL 5 appeared. It weighted 3.5kg and was capable of defeating over 140mm of RHA.
The HHL was declared obsolete in May 1944 in favor of the new Panzerfaust. However, remaining stockpiles were used until they were exhausted. 553,900 HHL 3, 4, and 5 were produced.
Used in Stalingrad, Tunisia, Normandy.
**Panzerwurfmine (‘tank-throwing mine’ in German, abbreviated as PWM)**
The Panzerwurfmine was a shaped charge hand-thrown anti-tank grenade used by Luftwaffe ground troops in World War II. The first version, Panzerwurfmine Lang (“long”), weighed 1.36kg. It was stabilised by fins at the rear of the tube, that sprang out when the device was thrown. The PWM 1-L was first introduced in May 1943, with 203,800 produced in that year. It was discontinued in July 1944 in favor of the Panzerwurfmine Kurz (“short”), which was stabilised by a canvas strip that rolled out when the device was thrown, and was also shorter. The PWM Kz weighted 0.96kg. Both designs had the same warhead and could penetrate approximately 150mm of RHA at zero degrees. However, it could only reliably penetrate 75mm of RHA in battle. I couldn’t find production numbers on Google.
Used in Normandy, Berlin.
***Granate Geballte Ladung (‘Grenade Concentrated Charge’ in German)***
This famous grenade bundle is used primarily against armored vehicles in the early stages of the war; but may also be used for attacking pillboxes. It consists of the heads of six standard stick grenades bound firmly around a stick grenade. Initiation probably takes place in the normal way by a friction igniter in the handle of the central grenade. It is effective against weak parts of armored vehicles if they are slowed down or are forced to stop by obstacles.
**Field demolition charges: Sprengbuchse (1kg), Satchel** ***Geballte Ladung (3kg)***
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Sources:
German Demolition Equipment.pdf (bulletpicker.com)
German infantry anti-tank weapons (part 2) (topwar.ru)
Reference on how to use:
Lone Sentry: How to Throw the Panzerwurfmine (U.S. WWII Intelligence Bulletin, March 1945, WWII)
**Italian:**
**Incendiary Bottle Grenade**
This incendiary grenade is made by fitting a metal pressure cap on an ordinary one-liter glass bottle containing an inflammable liquid. A fuse match, protected by a canvas cover, is fixed to the side of the bottle by two rings of cord. Attached to the top of the fuse is a fine cord. When pulled, it fires the fuse. To avoid accidental ignition, the cord has a small wooden handle and is fixed to the neck of the bottle by a ring of thread.
Just before use, the wooden handle is freed by a light pull on the ring of thread which is securing it to the neck of the bottle. The handle is then given a sharp pull, and a small flame will appear at the lower end of the fuse. The bottle should then be thrown with force against the target. If the bottle is not thrown immediately, it may burst before reaching the target. A minimum of two seconds is given between the lighting of the fuse and the bursting of the bottle. The Italians consider the grenade to be a good weapon for defense against AFV’s at close quarters.
**OTO Mod. 42**
A factory-made incendiary bottle containing a slightly modified OTO Mod. 35 hand grenade and 600 grams of flamethrower fuel. They were equipped by “tank hunter” specialist units raised in 1942. The specialists trained to hit the engine air vents of a tank with an OTO Mod. 42. This method of attack had the benefits of letting incendiary liquid seep inside before ignition. This weapon was inspired by similar incendiary bottles improvised on the field by Italian soldiers. The OTO Mod. 42 weighted 1.05kg, and could be thrown 20 meters far by an ordinary soldier. It’s performance in game should be like the Molotov cocktail, but just with more explosive force.
**P bomb** (Pazzaglia bomba=’crazy bomb’ in Italian)
An improvised bomb that comes in 1 kg and 2 kg variants, this weapon is a result of AT weapon shortages. It is made by putting an OTO Mod. 35 grenade and a block of explosive into a metal pipe, and then sealing it with a canvas bag. It is only effective when targeted at specific parts of the tanks, for example the tracks. It would destroy any tank if it hit the engine compartment. A soldier would have to get close to an enemy tank in order to achieve this, often in face of enemy fire. A soldier would also need good physical strength to throw it from a distance, or else he would be caught by the mess of squirting hot hydraulic fluid, blazing fires, and the detonation of the tank’s ammunition.
After seeing Italian Bersaglieri commit their Passaglia to action, Erwin Rommel wrote in his commentary: “The German soldiers have impressed the world, but the Italian bersaglieri have impressed the German soldiers”.
**Type L**
An anti-tank impact grenade, it is basically an TNT container with one OTO Mod. 35 put inside, with a throwing handle attached to it. Its main purpose was to destroy the tracks of a tank to immobilize it. This is because its maximum armor penetration value of 25mm is not enough to easily destroy a tank. Using this grenade is dangerous, as it weights of 2.04kg limits its max throwing range to 10 meters for an ordinary person. Once it is thrown, the thrower must immediately fall prone to minimize harm to himself.
Source: WW2 Equipment Data: Italian Explosive Ordnance - Hand and Mortar Grenades (ww2data.blogspot.com)
ANCA 200gram demolition charge
Not much info available. This Italian demolition block is produced by the ACNA company.
**Japan:**
**Type 99 Hakobakurai “turtle” anti-tank mine**
Reminiscent in shape to a turtle with four magnets sticking out like feet and the detonator looking like the head, this canvas-covered circular mine appearing on the battlefield from 1943 onwards, and was a potent threat to Allied tanks in the Pacific theater of operations. The Hakobakurai weighed 1.2q kg and contained 0.74 kg of Cyclonite/TNT. When detonated, the explosion could penetrate 20 mm of steel plate. With one mine on top of another, 30 mm could be penetrated. British tests reported that the shockwave from the blast could scab off the inner face of an armor plate up to 50 mm thick and thus cause spalling damage to the interior of tanks.
**Type 3 AT grenade**
Entered production in 1943. Functions similarly to the German Panzerwurfmine. Weighs 1.25kg. Can penetrate 70mm armor.
Sources:
Sticky and Magnetic Anti-Tank Weapons - Tank Encyclopedia (tanks-encyclopedia.com)
World War II Catalog of Enemy Ordnance Materiel (paperlessarchives.com)