Elliot Bombs

[Terry_Reeves]

I am doing some work on F Special Company RE.  On the 9th May, 1917 the company  was tasked to "protect the flanks of the raid by means of 20 Elliot Bomb Shrapnel cases = 600 Mills Bombs."  This was in support of a unit of 197 Infantry Brigade. These were apparently to be fired from projectors. It  is likely that  these were Livens projectors.

 

I have carried out a internet search, but to no avail. If has anyone come across the Elliot Bomb I would be pleased to hear from them.

 

TR

Edited 22 November , 2020 by Terry_Reeves

[14276265]

I am not aware of the name Elliot associated with Mills-filled Livens projectiles, but there were a number of trials carried out. The attached from "Notes on Inventions and New Stores", July-August 1917, shows a proposed method of using a Livens projector to throw bunches of 12-15 Mills grenades up to 2000 yards. More to the point it describes similar bombs with a shorter 400 yard range having been successfully used to cover trench raids.

 

 

 

265

 

 

[Gunner Bailey]

The difference between the two posts is the number of projectiles to grenades. 600 Mills should be 50 projectiles of the design 265 has shown. Was there another larger version perhaps?

 

I would have thought the only drawback was the problem with accurate aiming of the Livens tubes.

[Terry_Reeves]

14276265

Many thanks, much appreciated.

 

With regard to accuracy, the Livens projector was not  designed to be accurate, but rather more to smother a target area with gas projectiles, although HE and oil bombs were occasionally  used.   In this particular case, the object was to provide flank protection, so I guess it was was being used as an area protection weapon. 

 

TR

 

 

[Gunner Bailey]

6 hours ago, Terry_Reeves said:

 

 

With regard to accuracy, the Livens projector was not  designed to be accurate, but rather more to smother a target area with gas projectiles, although HE and oil bombs were occasionally  used.   In this particular case, the object was to provide flank protection, so I guess it was was being used as an area protection weapon. 

 

TR

 

 

 

I think that's right but with payload like the Mills it would be no good them dropping short in No Man's Land or between the Front and and 2nd Line trenches, so for the Mill's payload there would have to be perhaps more accuracy than for a Livens firing gas. 

[Terry_Reeves]

59 minutes ago, Gunner Bailey said:

 

I think that's right but with payload like the Mills it would be no good them dropping short in No Man's Land or between the Front and and 2nd Line trenches, so for the Mill's payload there would have to be perhaps more accuracy than for a Livens firing gas. 

There was sufficient range. The 4 ft tube had minimum  range of 1,200 yards and a minimum of 2000 yards.  There was also an adjustable charge.

 

TR

Edited 23 November , 2020 by Terry_Reeves

[ServiceRumDiluted]

Who got the job of inserting the mills bombs? And presumably removing the pins once wedged in. Not a job I'd fancy.

[Gunner Bailey]

20 hours ago, ServiceRumDiluted said:

Who got the job of inserting the mills bombs? And presumably removing the pins once wedged in. Not a job I'd fancy.

 

The RFC had a device for dropping smoke grenades which was also used for dropping Mills grenades. This was middle east usage only as far as I can tell. The grenade was loosely tied with a piece of sailmakers twine to hold the lever. It was then wrapped in a few layers of cotton tape. This held it all secure as it was inserted into the device, with the pin being removed as it was loaded. On being dropped the tape unwound and fell away. When it hit the ground the twine broke setting off the fuze.

 

In the Levens tube device it was clearly designed for air burst so the twine and tape were done away with. Slightly more risky than the RFC approach.