Training and Employment of Bombers

Reprinted from the revised British edition of September 1916, this manual outlines the principles governing the use of hand and rifle grenades in trench warfare. It covers training, organisation, offensive and defensive employment, safety measures, and the characteristics of British and German grenade types. The text is supported by line drawings and photographic plates illustrating proper throwing technique.

By 1916, grenades had become indispensable in trench combat, evolving from improvised "jam-tin" and "hairbrush" designs into standardised weapons essential for clearing trenches and dugouts. Rifle grenades extended striking range beyond that achievable by hand.

Specialised "bombing parties" emerged as key assault elements, tasked with clearing trenches systematically and driving defenders from cover-particularly valuable in conditions where small arms frequently malfunctioned.

The manual details the tactical employment of grenadiers, emphasising that grenades were primarily for close-quarters trench fighting rather than open-ground engagements. It specifies command responsibilities, the organisation of bombing squads, supply arrangements, equipment, training requirements, and the appropriate integration of rifle and bayonet techniques when manoeuvring around trench traverses.