lˈeɪɾɚ dˈʊɹɹɪŋ wˈɜːld wˈɔːɹ ɹˌoʊmən tˈuː, ɛksplˈoʊsɪv ɹˈaʊndz wɜː dɪvˈɛləpt tə ɡˈɪv dʒˈɜːmən tɹˈuːps ɐ smˈɔːl ænd lˈaɪtweɪt ɡɹənˈeɪd lˈɔːntʃɚ fɔːɹ ɛŋɡˈeɪdʒɪŋ tˈɑːɹɡɪts fɹʌm klˈoʊs ɹˈeɪndʒ wˌɪtʃ kʊd nˌɑːt biː ɛŋɡˈeɪdʒd sˌæɾɪsfˈæktɚɹəli baɪ ˈɪnfəntɹi wˈɛpənz ɔːɹ ɑːɹtˈɪlɚɹi wɪðˌaʊt ɛndˈeɪndʒɚɹɪŋ fɹˈɛndli tɹˈuːps.
Later during World War II, explosive rounds were developed to give German troops a small and lightweight grenade launcher for engaging targets from close range which could not be engaged satisfactorily by infantry weapons or artillery without endangering friendly troops.