Figure 12-8.--Functioning of the fuze.
lemon-shaped. Regardless of their makeup and shape,
all grenade bodies have two things in common: (1) they
are hollow to contain a filler and (2) they have an
opening or threaded hole to receive the fuze.
Filler is placed in the grenade body. The filler may
be an explosive, such as TNT, Composition B (a
composite explosive more sensitive than TNT), or black
powder. It may also be a chemical, such as tear gas,
thermite (incendiary), or white phosphorus.
The fuze assembly is a mechanical and chemical
device that causes the filler to detonate or burn. Fuzes
Figure 12-9.--Methods of holding the grenade.
that burn are used primarily with chemical grenades;
fuzes that detonate are used to explode fillers, such as
grenade throwing and to overcome any fear that you
TNT and Composition B.
may have of handling explosives.
When you pull the safety pin from the grenade, the
safety lever should be held down firmly by your grip.
Consider safety first when you are determining the
When you loosen or relieve this grip, the safety lever is
proper method of holding the grenade. For maximum
forced free from the grenade by a spring, allowing the
safety and throwing comfort, cradle the grenade in your
striker to hit the primer (fig. 12-8). The primer sets off
throwing hand with the safety lever held in place by that
the delay element that burns into the detonator and
part of your thumb between the first and second joints
igniter; this chain reaction is ended by bursting or
(fig. 12-9, view A).
burning of the filler in the grenade body. This entire
For right-handed personnel, hold the grenade
action requires only a few seconds, so stay alert when
you are handling and throwing hand grenades.
upright (fig. 12-9, view B). This positions the pull ring
so you can remove it easily with the index finger of your
free hand. For left-handed personnel, invert the grenade
GRENADE-THROWING PROCEDURES
(fig. 12-9, view C) in your hand with the fingers and
thumb of the throwing hand in the same position as
The two primary objectives of a hand grenade
training program are to develop your proficiency in
right-handed personnel.
12-4