Smoke Grenade use in the Second World War

[Michael Dorosh]

Just rereading tracts of David Gordons' WEAPONS OF THE WWII TOMMY. He mentions the Ox and Bucks using smoke grenades to neutralize enemy bunkers on D-Day (they were WP so no doubt very effective for that purpose).

Were smoke grenades commonly used to provide smoke cover for troops in the field? I understand the 2-inch mortar was designed as the platoon's own "artillery" to fire HE, Smoke and Illumination. My understanding is that smoke grenades were used more for signalling (or, as the example above shows, as offensive weapons if WP) than for providing cover for troops.

Who was equipped with smoke grenades? I get the understanding German assault pioneers were equipped with same as they were used as specialists in city fighting. Were Canadian engineers ever tasked or equipped in this way?

Smoke grenade use is common today but I suspect- without knowning - it was different in the Second World War. What did the manuals of the day say with regards to smoke hand grenades?

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Methinks Norm Cromie might be able to answer this question; although he was Italy/Holland, I'm sure allocations were similar if not identical with that of D-Day.

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Methinks Norm Cromie might be able to answer this question; although he was Italy/Holland, I'm sure allocations were similar if not identical with that of D-Day.

Mr. Cromie was the reason your forum was recommended. My interest extends beyond D-Day in Normandy, though, and I'd be interested in info on all theatres. Korea too, if anyone wants to take a swing at that. I think I miss Art just a little bit more today.

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally posted by Michael Dorosh
Korea too, if anyone wants to take a swing at that. I think I miss Art just a little bit more today.

Yeah, me too. He was a hell of a good man to have known.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Mike
There is good info here on the different grenades ,their composition and uses..

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/grenade.htm

Willy Pete.Here....

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m15.htm

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Alex Blair
Mike
There is good info here on the different grenades ,their composition and uses..

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/grenade.htm

Willy Pete.Here....

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m15.htm

Hi Alex - I'm afraid that doesn't answer the question in the least, but I appreciate the reply. My question is whether smoke grenades were used by Canadian troops in the Second World War for protection in the same manner they are now. I suspect they were not, but would appreciate clarification on all the points raised in my initial post (ie use by engineers, training by infantry, etc.)

[marco]

Hello Michael,

I can not tell you anything about use of smoke grenades by the infantry but I know that the 12th Manitoba Dragoons had them in their Staghound armored cars.
These 2 inch grenades were launched from a projector named "Bombthrower 2in Mk 1" (or Mk1A) which was mounted in the forward right side of the turret.

It was mentioned for producing cover in case they had to retreat suddenly in face of the enemy.
There have been some of these cases.

Best regards,

Marco Hogenkamp
Lichtenvoorde
Holland.

[Norm Cromie (RIP)]

Hi Michael:
Regarding smoke grenades remember I am going back over 60 years and my memory is like a guy who has a hammock with one tree. I believe we had smoke grenades for our 2 inch mortars that we used in England early in the war. In the Italian campaign we had smoke generators and also phosphate grenades. Plus as you know we also had the Mills hand grenade. I am sure if you contact Mark he can advise you on some good tech information regarding these weapons.
Here is a photo, as you will see the ignition pin for the smoke grenade in this group of devices that I worked with in Italy.