"Sticky Bombs"

[Richard Andrew Bailey]

From ra...@st-andrews.ac.uk (Richard Andrew Bailey)

Does anyone know the specifications, usage, and effectiveness of plastic
explosives as used during WW2 (I think they were somerimes called
"Sticky Bombs" [?]). What is it`s composition, how was it detonated, what
kind of timing was used etc? Was this the same stuff as was used in conflicts
after the Second World War - e.g. used by the *plastiqueurs* of the OAS in
Algeria and France in the early 1960s?

Any help would be much apreciated.

Richard Bailey
ra...@st-and.ac.uk

[dgd...@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca]

From dgd...@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca ()

I recall seeing a training pamphlet on the WWII sticky anti-tank grenade
used by the British. It had a stick handle like the potatoe masher, with
a spherical head consisting of a two-piece metal shell containing an
adhesive-covering explosive charge. Presumably the fusing was similar to
a regular Mills bomb type grenade. After jettisoning the metal shell the
lucky user was supposed to throw or place the bomb on some vulnerable
point of a convenient enemy tank and retire briskly. Churchill referred
to them in his history of the war in terms which leads me to think that
their use was near suicidal and was only justified by the desperate
circumstances of 1940-41.

--
I know I'm being paranoid but am I being paranoid enough?
Doug Devin dgd...@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca

[Norman Bonney Norman Bonney]

From Norman...@brunel.ac.uk (Norman Bonney) (Norman Bonney)

>Does anyone know the specifications, usage, and effectiveness of plastic
>explosives as used during WW2 (I think they were somerimes called
>"Sticky Bombs" [?]). What is it`s composition, how was it detonated, what
>kind of timing was used etc? Was this the same stuff as was used in conflicts

The term 'Sticky Bomb' refers to a specific type of grenade (Service
nomenclature Grenade, Hand, No 74 Anti Tank, Mk I [also a Mk II]). The HE filling
(Nobels 823) was a particularly gelatinous mixture containing, primarily,
nitro-glycerine and nitro-cellulose. Housed in a frangible container
(Mk I = glass, Mk II = bakelite) and fired by detonator assembly comprising
cap, 5 sec safety fuze and detonator, the latter positioned in a perforated
C.E. (Composition Exploding) pellet. The handle held a 'Mills Type' mechanism
with fly off lever. The term 'sticky bomb' originates not from the explosive
mixture but from the coating of Kays 'bird lime' which covered the frangible
vessel.

N.

[Andrew Boulton]

From abou...@cix.compulink.co.uk ("Andrew Boulton")

In message <D579G...@ranger.daytonoh.attgis.com>, ra...@st-andrews.ac.uk
said:

> From ra...@st-andrews.ac.uk (Richard Andrew Bailey)
>
> Does anyone know the specifications, usage, and effectiveness of
> plastic explosives as used during WW2 (I think they were somerimes
> called "Sticky Bombs" [?]). What is it`s composition, how was it
> detonated, what kind of timing was used etc? Was this the same stuff
> as was used in conflicts after the Second World War - e.g. used by
> the *plastiqueurs* of the OAS in Algeria and France in the early
> 1960s?

IIRC, 'Sticky Bombs' were hand grenades covered with glue, for
anti-vehicular use, (they stuck to the vehicle and detonated, rather than
bouncing off).

---
Andrew Boulton

[Rob S. Rice]

From rr...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu (Rob S. Rice)

It's funny how the Germans degaussed their tanks while the British never
invented a magnetic antitank mine, while the British invented the "sticky
bomb" which would have worked on a degaussed tank.

Rob S. Rice

[Clemens Meier]

From clm...@lili6.uni-bielefeld.de (Clemens Meier)

In article <D5EGs...@ranger.daytonoh.attgis.com> dgd...@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca () writes:

> I recall seeing a training pamphlet on the WWII sticky anti-tank grenade
> used by the British. It had a stick handle like the potatoe masher, with
> a spherical head consisting of a two-piece metal shell containing an
> adhesive-covering explosive charge. Presumably the fusing was similar to
> a regular Mills bomb type grenade. After jettisoning the metal shell the
> lucky user was supposed to throw or place the bomb on some vulnerable
> point of a convenient enemy tank and retire briskly. Churchill referred
> to them in his history of the war in terms which leads me to think that
> their use was near suicidal and was only justified by the desperate
> circumstances of 1940-41.

Weren't explosive charges like these used everywhere as infantry
anti--tank weapons at that time?

In the German army, there were these so called ``Haftminen''
(translates to ``sticky mines''), which were meant to ``stick''
magnetically to the metal hull of a tank. Standard tactics
were to hide in a foxhole until the enemy tank rolled over you,
jump up and place the thing on the top armour of the engine
compartment.

Sounds like a suicide mission to me, though.

Clemens

--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Wo ist denn der Objoke ??? Clemens Meier
Bei Clemens? Nie!! Ok, ok, aber fast nie. clm...@lili.uni-bielefeld.de

[EngineerX]

From engi...@aol.com (EngineerX)

rr...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu (Rob S. Rice) wrote:

>It's funny how the Germans degaussed their tanks while the British never
>invented a magnetic antitank mine, while the British invented the
>"sticky bomb" which would have worked on a degaussed tank.

Actually, I believe the Germans invented an "anti-magnetic paste" that was
applied to exposed metla surfaces. Don't know how it worked, but I
suspect that it would not have provided a good surface to stick a sticky
bomb to.

[t...@li.net]

From t...@li.net

In message <D5I7p...@ranger.daytonoh.attgis.com> - rr...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu (

The Wehrmacht used Zimmermit anti-magnetic paste to defeat
a *Soviet* magnetic tank grenade. The idea was carried to
the Western Front when units rotated from the Eastern Front
where transferred to meet the US/Commonwealth/French forces
after D-Day.

[Tony Stroppa]

From Tony_S...@mindlink.bc.ca (Tony Stroppa)

The anti-magnetic paste was called "Zimmeritt", and was developed
as a counter to Russian limpet mines. In photos, it looks like a thin
rubbery ribbed coating on the flat surfaces of the tank...kind of like a
condom for your King Tiger! (groan)...
Anyways, the threat never materialized on the Eastern front, and it
never really ended up being a factor. I am not aware if it was used on the
western front.
Tony Stroppa

[par...@worf.infonet.net]

From par...@worf.infonet.net ()

The book 'Men Against Tanks' describes the 'sticky bomb'. An
anit-tank grenade improvised for the use of the British
'Home Guard'. The 'sticky' component was a thick coating of bird
lime, so I suspect it would stick to just about anything.

[henry (h.w.) troup]

From "henry (h.w.) troup" <h...@bnr.ca>

In article <D61xw...@ranger.daytonoh.attgis.com>,
par...@worf.infonet.net () wrote:

Including the guy throwing/applying it. Not a complete disqualification
for last-ditch defence, but not a popular property.

--
Henry Troup - h...@bnr.ca disclaimer - as usual
Guilty of thoughtcrime

[Rob S. Rice]

From rr...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu (Rob S. Rice)

There was a tin cover over the limed bag of the Sticky Bomb to prevent it
from attaching where not wanted. It opened with a spring when the pin
was released. The Brits aren't that dumb, for heaven's sake!

Rob S. Rice

[Ryan Montieth Gill]

From la...@curly.cc.emory.edu (Ryan Montieth Gill)

I don't know if this is valad or not but there is an Osprey Books
illustration of a CAptain of the 9th Royal Norfolks with a No 74 'Sticky
Bomb'. The Bomb looks like a combination of the German Potato Masher and
an american handle. Essentially a wooden stick with the lever based
trigger mechanism and a large round globe that is presumably the sticky
component. The Handle of course not being the sticky part. This is in the
Men at Arms Series: British Battle Insignia (2): 1939-45.

--
- Ryan Montieth Gill Freelance Macintosh Systems Consultant -
- Unix: la...@emoryu1.cc.emory.edu -DoD# 0780/AMA# 337288 -
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- '91 Cignal Montauk | '76 Chevy Monte Carlo Landau 'Bumblecrow' -
- All that is gold does not glitter, -
- Not all those who wander are lost; Gandalf the Grey -

[Ian Mac Lure]

From i...@svpal.svpal.org (Ian Mac Lure)

Ryan Montieth Gill (la...@curly.cc.emory.edu) wrote:

: From la...@curly.cc.emory.edu (Ryan Montieth Gill)

: I don't know if this is valad or not but there is an Osprey Books
: illustration of a CAptain of the 9th Royal Norfolks with a No 74 'Sticky
: Bomb'. The Bomb looks like a combination of the German Potato Masher and
: an american handle. Essentially a wooden stick with the lever based
: trigger mechanism and a large round globe that is presumably the sticky
: component. The Handle of course not being the sticky part. This is in the
: Men at Arms Series: British Battle Insignia (2): 1939-45.

It is valid but the reference I have ( Grenades & Mortars , a Ballantine
paperback by Ian Hogg ) states that the Grenade No. 74 was developed
privately and offered to the British Army. It was not issued to
the regulars only to the Home Guard and French Resistance. The
illustration in the book shows a spring-loaded hinged cover for the
grenade presumably to keep it from sticking where it wasn't wanted.
I can't imagine it was too popular as the device was a spherical flask
filled with nitroglycerine ( pure, one hopes ) and covered with "stocking"
material coated with "bird-lime"
The No.74 is mentioned as being one of two Home Guard Horrors in the
grenade field which gives you some idea of the esteem in which it was
held.

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* No Times Like The Maritimes *************************************
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