Heidler, M. Deutsche Gewehrgranaten und Gewehrgranatgeräte bis 1945

This richly illustrated volume is devoted to German developments and their use in the course of the two world wars. The author covers in great detail the rifle grenades, the rifle grenade devices for the various weapons that were used, and the ammunition. Many photographs, some in colour, of original weapons, ammunition and accessories as well as informative detailed illustrations or cross-sections through individual components, historical construction drawings, contemporary photographs - including many rare ones that have never been published before - round off the subject and help to assign previously unknown accessories and thus solve some mysteries. The most detailed work on this subject on the market to date.

It is a common misconception today that rifle grenades were first used in World War 1. Mostly, their development is presented in the literature as a reaction to the trench warfare and the appearance of the first tanks. These factors certainly caused a surge in development - but the principle of firing over-calibre explosive rounds with rifles goes back much further - even as far as 1200 in China. It is therefore not surprising that in the years before the First World War, baton grenades were already to be found in numerous armies around the world.