grenade", which was designed so that it could be used in a number of roles. Design The grenade was rectangular in shape and approximately in length and in width, and weighed about . Its explosive content consisted of around of blasting explosive, which was usually either ammonal or TNT. On the top of the grenade was a plate, under which the user would insert a chemical igniter, which would act as the weapon's fuse. When a vehicle drove over the grenade, its weight crushed the plate, which in turn cracked the igniter; this then leaked acid onto a sensitive chemical which detonated the charge. The grenade was designed so that it could either be thrown at a vehicle like an ordinary anti-tank grenade, or placed at a location when used as an anti-tank mine. It was also fitted with areas where blasting caps or cordtex could be placed, so that it could be used as a demolition charge. When the grenade was used, it was recommended that the user be within a short distance of their target, ideally concealed within a trench; if the target were an armoured vehicle, then the best areas to target were the sides and rear, where the engine compartment was located and armour was generally thinner. Operational history Introduced in 1942, the grenade saw service with the British Army until 1955. The United States Army also used the grenade, as well as developing their own variant known as the "M7 light anti-tank mine". When used in an anti-tank role, a number of the grenades could be strung together in a "daisy chain" at intervals of around two feet, and then placed across a road to damage an armoured vehicle. It was particularly effective at damaging the tracks of tanks. When sufficient grenades were grouped together, they were capable of disabling a medium tank. The Hawkins was also used in other roles, such as breaching walls, and its small size also meant that it could easily be placed into the "web" of a railway line and, when detonated, destroy a section of track. The weapon received the nickname "Johnson's Wax tin" due to its appearance to a commercially produced floor treatment product. In the Battle of Ortona Canadian troops used them as demolition charges to "mousehole" between buildings. Users Users of the grenade included: See also British anti-invasion preparations of World War II References Bibliography External