Sticky Bomb

[Hobilar]

There were many ways of destroying German Panzers that were suggested to the authorities in the dark days of 1940 when England expected a German invasion at any moment.

One of the more practicable was the idea of covering a grenade with a sticky substance that could adhere to the armour plate of a German Tank. This idea seemed so interesting that production was commenced into such a device, under the designation of 'The No. 74 Anti Tank Grenade (or sticky bomb as it was more popularly called).

The No.74 Anti Tank Grenade was essentially a 2-lb glass bottle filled with a liquid explosive and covered with a very sticky adhesive. In action the user was meant to pull a pin which released the sticky adhesive, and then a second pin which would activate a five second time fuse.

The problem that soon became apparent was that the adhesive was so sticky that it would adhere to almost any other material-including the thrower's uniform. Even the slightest contact with the user's clothing and the grenade was firmly attached

A five second fuse does not allow for very much time for a soldier to tear off his clothing should he be unlucky enough to inadvertently get the grenade stuck to his trouser leg.

[Jim O]

A five second fuse does not allow for very much time for a soldier to tear off his clothing should he be unlucky enough to inadvertently get the grenade stuck to his trouser leg.

No. I would say not.

Interesting story.

[Klaus]

If it was so sticky, how could it be thrown? If it even stuck to your clothing I could imagine that you have a hard time to get rid of anyway. Just my two cents worth. Good read though.