WW1 Belgian grenade DELATTRE

[MINENAZ16]

Hello,
Until today I thought the rare and uncommon ww1 Belgian percussion grenade known as "Delattre" was dropped from early airplanes but this picture of Belgian soldier (I assume from special assault group) makes me think these grenades have been used as hand grenades.
Rare and interesting picture I wanted to share (found on the web, thanks to the author).




Grenade "Delattre" from collection (we can see some family traits with St Chamond-Delattre grenade for 142mm mortar) :

 

[Dreamk]

Le Courrier de l'Armee - 26 Octobre 1916



Le XXe siècle: journal d'union et d'action catholique - 14 novembre 1916



From these newspapers extracts it seems that throwing Delattre grenades by their fabric tails was a common practice among Belgian infantry in 1916, no less than throwing the Mills grenade.

 

[ludokhan]

hello , in attachement the ''brevet" from Mr delattre and some pictures.

 

[Millsman]

Interesting centre piece considering the date.

 

[Bonnex]

The British showed some interest in Delattre's work and I think there are a couple of entries in the Ordnance Board/Committee minutes. The Research Department at Woolwich Arsenal produced the attached drawing.