The Huns hate her! The USA's ONE WEIRD TRICK that German grenadiers don't want you to know!

Published on September 26, 2019
Duration: 8:51

This guide details a practical experiment to debunk the WWI myth of American soldiers shooting enemy grenades out of the air. It covers setup, execution, and analysis of live-fire testing using inert grenades filled with baby powder. The video, presented with historical rigor by Othais and Mae, demonstrates that while hits are possible, the myth's premise of returning grenades is unfounded due to ballistic limitations and practical combat realities.

Quick Summary

Live-fire testing debunks the WWI myth of shooting grenades out of the air. While 12 gauge shotguns like the Remington Model 10 and Winchester Model 1897 could hit airborne grenades, 00 buckshot embedded, and birdshot lacked effectiveness. Practical combat limitations, including jamming in wet conditions, made the myth highly improbable.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction of Trench Shotguns
  2. 00:25The Grenade-Shooting Myth
  3. 01:31Experimental Setup
  4. 02:00Live Fire Testing
  5. 03:05Technical Analysis of Failure
  6. 04:30Historical Context and Limitations
  7. 06:15Origin of the Myth

Frequently Asked Questions

Could American soldiers in WWI really shoot grenades out of the air with shotguns?

While the myth persists, live-fire tests show that hitting airborne grenades is extremely difficult and returning them to the enemy is practically impossible. 00 buckshot embeds, and birdshot lacks the mass to significantly alter trajectory.

What were the main limitations of WWI trench shotguns?

WWI trench shotguns, such as the Remington Model 10 and Winchester Model 1897, were often unreliable in wet trench conditions. Paper cartridges could swell, causing frequent jams, which limited their effectiveness.

Where did the myth of shooting grenades out of the air originate?

The myth likely stems from hyperbolic advertising by DuPont, promoting trapshooting skills by suggesting they made soldiers capable of extraordinary feats, rather than actual combat effectiveness.

What type of ammunition was tested against the grenades?

The testing involved 12 gauge shotgun rounds, specifically 00 buckshot and #7 birdshot, to assess their impact on inert, powder-filled grenades.

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