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No. 36M Mills Bomb

Grenade, Hand, No. 36M

fragmentation grenadeRoyal Ordnance factories · 1918–1970

OVERVIEW

British grenade variant extensively used in both European and Asian theaters.

HISTORIAN'S COMMENTARY

Before the Storm

Introduced between 1918 and 1970, No. 36M Mills Bomb was fielded by United Kingdom forces as a fragmentation grenade instrument for close combat and battlefield shaping.

In the Field

Loaded with Fragmentation hand grenade filling and time fuze fuzing, this 0.77 kg munition depended on nerve and timing more than machinery. Its effective use envelope reached about 30 meters, with effects spreading near 15 meters.

Historian's Note

On the ground, it gave infantry an immediate burst of shock effect in close-quarter fighting. Its historical value came from local overmatch, but only when placement and timing were right.

SPECIFICATIONS

TypeFragmentation hand grenade
FuzingTime fuze
FillingAmatol/Baratol
Weight0.77 kg
Effective Range30 m
Blast Radius15 m

DEVELOPMENT

The No.36M was a mature British grenade pattern adapted for broad wartime Commonwealth distribution. Its long service history made training and doctrine integration straightforward.

COMBAT HISTORY

It served in varied climates and terrain, from North Africa to Northwest Europe and Asia. Commonwealth troops employed it extensively in both assault and defensive grenade drills.

NOTABLE USES

  • [01]Standard Commonwealth grenade in multiple theaters. - No. 36M Mills Bomb employment here depended on timing, distance, and unit coordination more than raw charge size.
  • [02]Infantry assault and trench-clearing actions. - This use case shows how engineers and infantry turned explosive tools into tactical advantage in constrained terrain.
  • [03]Defensive employment from prepared fighting positions. - Field application in this context illustrates why placement and doctrine governed real effect.

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Battle Context

  • North Africa Campaign

    Desert-theater weapons and vehicles tied to Mediterranean and North African operations.

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