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Classic Weapons of World War II

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Small arms

Grenades

Pistols | Rifles | Sub-machine guns | Grenades

The hand grenade has medieval origins, leading to the creation of the first grenadier units. A hand-thrown explosive device (occasionally launched by a rifle), the grenade was carried by many arms of service in World War II as a means to provide an individual with greater attacking and defensive power.

Useful for halting massed attacks they were also used as a calling card for clearing buildings, where a grenade would be tossed into a room prior to storming in. All nations used grenades and various types were employed from high-explosive fragmentation and incapacitating stun to burning phosphorous incendiary.

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