Hand Grenades

An American soldier trains with a Mk2 Fragmentation Grenade

During the close quarters battle in Manila, the hand grenade would be put to widespread use by both sides. For both the Americans and Japanese, the defensive fragmentation grenade was the primary type, although differences existed between the two designs. The American Mark 2, the famous “pineapple”, consisted of a cast iron body with distinctive grooves to enhance both grip and fragmentation potential. It was filled with a simple TNT charge, and equipped with a 4-5 second fuse. It was primed by pulling a pin with the attached ring, while the large safety lever (known as the spoon) was retained with the hand grasping the grenade to prevent the fuse from setting. Upon being thrown, the spoon would be ejected via a spring, which also drove a striker to start the fuse.

A Japanese soldier removes the pin from a Type 97 grenade

The Japanese Type 97 was also a defensive fragmentation weapon, although it had a different method of operation as well as construction. The Type 97 was a modification of the Type 91, which was designed for use with rifle grenade launchers and the Type 89 “Knee Mortar”, but was found lacking as a standard hadn grenade due to its long 8 second fuse. The type 97 dispensed with that, replacing it with a 4-5 second fuse, although the activation method was unchanged. In order ot arm the grenade, the firing pin was screwed down to protrude from the base of the striker cap. In order to use, the safety pin would be removed, followed by striking the spring-loaded striker cap against a hard surface, such as a helmet. This would activate the fuse, which would in turn detonate the TNT charge inside. The grenade had a similar “pineapple” pattern as the US Mk2, although it only covered the sides of the grenade, which was otherwise of a cylindrical shape.

A practice Mk2 grenade with a replica Type 97

Hand grenades would be put to use by both sides during the viscous battle of Manila. The Japanese in particular would make liberal use of them, both against American troops as well the civilians still trapped under their control.