Explosive grenade
Explosive grenade ( formed u. A. Of explosiveness and this fr. Controversial "break, smash" for or [originally] also "crush") is an expression of the late 19th century for the upcoming 1890 explosive shells , with a highly explosive explosives were filled. Picric acid and cellulose nitrate (nitrocellulose, gun cotton) were used, for example .
more details
Before explosive shells were introduced, grenades were filled with black powder (see bomb cannon ). Before more powerful explosives could be used to fill grenades, the problem of safe handling had to be solved first.
The introduction of explosive shells had a significant impact on warfare:
- Classic fortifications with walls made of masonry and earth could not withstand the new shells. This was shown, for example, in September 1914, when German artillery pieces shot down the French fortress Maubeuge with explosive shells . Built partially until the second half of the 19th century fort (z. B. the French Barrière de fer ) were because of this explosive grenades crisis reinforces some with reinforced concrete. The fort in Sanssouci Park , built around 1890, was a fortress model to represent armor against explosive shells.
- In naval warfare , explosive grenades and the medium- caliber rapid-fire guns that appeared at about the same time were able to achieve a great destructive effect on the unarmored parts of warships at short to medium combat distances ( sea battle on the Yalu ). This led to a temporary overestimation of the middle artillery in naval warfare tactics .
Today explosive projectiles are referred to as high explosive shells or HE projectiles (High Explosive).
literature
- Explosive shells . In: Brockhaus Konversations-Lexikon 1894–1896, Volume 3, p. 544.
- Ulrich Israel, Jürgen Gebauer: Armored ships around 1900. Brandenburg publishing house. 1991, 2000, ISBN 3-89488-027-9 .
- Hartwig Neumann : Fortress construction art and technology . Bernard and Graefe, Bonn 2004 (or licensed edition from area, Erftstadt), ISBN 3-89996-268-0 .
Single receipts
- ↑ Explosive , explosive - Duden , Bibliographisches Institut , 2016