Grenades and mortars formed the essential bridge between the individual soldier and organised firepower in the Second World War. Where the rifle provided precision and reach, and artillery delivered massed effect, grenades and mortars filled the critical space in between, enabling infantry to generate explosive force at close and medium range.
For New Zealand, the period from 1941 to 1944 marked a decisive transition. Early reliance on hand-thrown grenades and rifle dischargers gave way to a system increasingly centred on mortars. These weapons provided controlled, repeatable, and responsive firepower at the section and battalion level. This shift was not simply tactical. It reflected the rapid expansion of the Army, the development of local munitions production, and the integration of New Zealand forces into a wider Allied system of supply and operations.
By March 1944, New Zealand’s holdings of grenades and mortar systems clearly illustrate this transformation. What began as a collection of individual weapons had evolved into a coherent, layered support system, one that fundamentally reshaped how infantry fought and how logistics sustained them.
Weapons and Ammunition Holdings
The figures presented here are drawn from the 1944 Quartermaster returns, which detail weapons and ammunition received from overseas and manufactured in New Zealand up to 31 March 1944.[1]
They do not represent total holdings in service. Instead, they reflect the scale of wartime procurement and production, and therefore exclude weapons and ammunition already held by the New Zealand Military Forces prior to mobilisation.
As a result, when compared against pre-war stocks, these quantities should be understood as representing the expansion of capability during the war, rather than the complete inventory on hand.
Mortars
| Type | Quantity |
| Ordnance SBML 2-inch mortar | 1,484 |
| Ordnance ML 3-inch mortar | 1,688 |
| M2 60-mm mortar | 24 |
Mortar Ammunition
| Type | Role | Quantity |
| 2-inch Mortar HE | Close support HE | 770,000 |
| 2-inch Mortar HE (Local Pattern) | Close support HE | 299,000 |
| 2-inch Mortar Smoke | Screening | 452,000 |
| 2-inch Mortar Illuminating | Illumination | 54,750 |
| 3-inch Mortar HE | Medium HE support | 643,000 |
| 3-inch Mortar HE (Local Pattern) | Medium HE support | 150,000 |
| 3-inch Mortar Smoke | Screening | 161,300 |
| 3-inch Mortar Red | Signalling | 15,000 |
| 3-inch Mortar Green | Signalling | 9,000 |
| 60-mm Mortar | Close support HE | 45,000 |
Grenades and Discharger Systems
| Type | Role | Quantity |
| No.36M (4 sec) | Fragmentation | 552,000 |
| No.36M (7 sec) | Fragmentation / Rifle | 2,446,700 |
| No.63 Rifle Smoke | Smoke screening | 8,900 |
| No.68 Rifle AT | Rifle anti-tank | 58,000 |
| No.69 Bakelite | Fragmentation | 18,000 |
| No.74 Sticky Bomb | Anti-tank | 33,000 |
| No.75 Hawkins | Anti-tank / demolition | 98,000 |
| Discharger Grenade | Rifle grenade system | 6,038 |
| Discharger Smoke Generator | Smoke projection | 66 |
| Discharger Smoke | Smoke projection | 290 |
Fragmentation Grenades: The Backbone
The No.36M Mills grenade remained the backbone of New Zealand’s grenade inventory, with nearly 3 million held in stock. It was the standard infantry grenade for close combat, trench clearance, and defensive fighting.
Like the 3-inch mortar, the Mills grenade followed a clear trajectory from the First World War into the Second. It had proven its effectiveness in 1914–1918 and was retained in service during the interwar years, forming part of the limited but enduring infantry support capability maintained by the Territorial Force.
Rearmament began modestly. In 1935, an initial order of 640 Mills grenades was placed, followed by a further 2,360 in 1939 as the international situation deteriorated. These early procurements mirror the pattern seen with mortars, small initial steps followed by rapid expansion once war became imminent.
This continuity ensured that, on mobilisation, New Zealand was able to expand an existing and familiar system, rather than introduce an entirely new one.
A key strength of the No.36M was its adaptability. It could be fitted with:
- 4-second fuse for hand throwing
- 7-second fuse for rifle discharger use
This allowed it to function as both a hand grenade and rifle grenade, simplifying logistics while expanding tactical flexibility.
All No.36M grenades were produced in New Zealand during the war, with total output reaching approximately 3 million.[2]
Grenade, hand, No 69 Mk I
New Zealand also held approximately 18,000 No.69 Bakelite grenades, sourced from the United Kingdom. These used an all-ways impact fuze and produced reduced fragmentation, making them more suitable for offensive operations where rapid detonation was required.[3]
Rifle Dischargers: A Transitional Capability
The presence of 6,038 grenade dischargers highlights an important transitional phase in infantry weapons development, bridging the gap between hand-thrown grenades and mortar-based firepower.
Fitted to the muzzle of a rifle, the discharger allowed grenades, most commonly the No.36M fitted with a 7-second fuze, to be projected out to ranges of approximately 150–200 yards. This extended the reach of the infantryman and enabled engagement of targets beyond normal throwing distance, including those behind cover.
Of the total held, 1,125 dischargers were manufactured in New Zealand, with the remainder sourced from overseas.
Associated with these were small holdings of specialised smoke equipment:
- Discharger Smoke Generators (66)
- Discharger Smoke rounds (290)
These limited numbers indicate that smoke delivery via discharger was never developed as a major capability.
Despite their utility, dischargers had clear limitations:
- Single-shot operation, limiting rate of fire
- Reduced accuracy compared to mortars
- Dependence on specialised blank cartridges
- Mechanical strain on rifles
By 1944, these limitations had become decisive. While still held in significant numbers, dischargers were increasingly superseded by the 2-inch mortar, which offered greater range, accuracy, and sustained fire.
Anti-Tank Grenades: Close-Range Solutions
New Zealand held a range of anti-tank grenade types:
No.68 Rifle Grenade
The No.68 rifle grenade was an early-war attempt to give infantry a practical anti-tank capability at section level before dedicated anti-armour weapons became widely available. Fired from a rifle using a discharger cup and a special blank cartridge, it employed a shaped-charge (HEAT) warhead capable of penetrating light armour under favourable conditions. In theory, it allowed infantry to engage armoured vehicles at short range without closing to hand-thrown distance. In practice, however, its effectiveness was limited. Accuracy was inconsistent, range was modest, and its performance against increasingly well-armoured vehicles declined rapidly as the war progressed. It also imposed mechanical strain on rifles and required specific drill and ammunition, adding to the burden on the soldier.
No.74 Sticky Bomb
The No.74 “Sticky Bomb” was an improvised anti-tank grenade developed in response to the urgent need for close-range infantry anti-armour capability in the early years of the war. It consisted of a glass sphere filled with nitroglycerine-based explosive, coated in a strong adhesive and enclosed within a protective metal casing. Once armed, the casing was removed, exposing the adhesive surface, allowing the grenade to be thrown against a vehicle, where it would stick before detonating after a short delay.
In concept, it offered infantry a means of defeating armour by placing an explosive charge directly onto the target. In practice, however, it was hazardous to use. The adhesive could be unreliable, particularly in wet, dusty, or muddy conditions, and there was a real risk of the grenade sticking to the user or failing to adhere to the target. Employment required the soldier to close to extremely short range, often under fire, making it a weapon of last resort.
By 1944, while still held in service, the Sticky Bomb had largely been overtaken by more effective and safer anti-tank weapons. Its continued presence in inventories reflects the urgency of early-war improvisation rather than enduring tactical value
No.75 Hawkins
The No.75 Hawkins grenade was a versatile anti-tank and demolition charge designed to provide infantry with a simple, robust means of defeating vehicles and creating obstacles. Unlike the more hazardous Sticky Bomb, the Hawkins was a flat, rectangular device containing a substantial explosive charge and fitted with a pressure fuze. It could be used in several ways, placed on roads or tracks as an improvised mine, laid against vehicles, or employed as a general-purpose demolition charge.
Its strength lay in this adaptability. It did not require the soldier to attach it to a moving target physically, and its pressure activation made it particularly effective against vehicles passing over it. This made it well-suited to defensive operations, ambushes, and the preparation of anti-tank obstacles. It could also be used to damage infrastructure or equipment where required.
By 1944, the Hawkins grenade remained a useful and widely held system, reflecting its practicality and relative safety compared to earlier improvised anti-tank weapons. While more advanced anti-tank weapons were coming into service, the Hawkins continued to offer a reliable, low-technology solution that could be employed across a range of tactical situations
No.63 rifle smoke grenade
The No.63 rifle smoke grenade reflects an earlier stage in infantry smoke provision.
New Zealand procured these during the interwar period, with 1,806 ordered in 1935 and a further 7,194 in 1939, mirroring efforts to maintain a baseline infantry support capability alongside grenades and mortars.
However, unlike those systems, the No.63 did not transition successfully into the later war environment. By 1943 it had been rendered obsolete, overtaken by the far more effective 2-inch mortar smoke bomb, which provided greater range, repeatable fire, and improved control of smoke effects.
With over 450,000 mortar smoke rounds available, rifle smoke grenades had ceased to be a primary system, and existing stocks were not intended for replacement.
Doctrinal Shift: From Discharger to Mortar
The relationship between the rifle discharger and the 2-inch mortar illustrates a clear doctrinal transition.
Where the discharger extended the reach of the individual soldier, the mortar introduced controlled, repeatable firepower at section level. It allowed commanders to engage targets beyond line of sight, deliver multiple rounds in quick succession, adjust fire based on observation, and integrate smoke, HE, and illumination.
In effect, the mortar replaced individual effort with system-based firepower, marking a fundamental shift in infantry tactics. By 1944, mortars had become central to New Zealand infantry operations.
2-inch Mortar: Section-Level Weapon
With 1,484 mortars on hand, the 2-inch mortar was embedded at section level.
Of these, 579 were manufactured in New Zealand, reflecting a significant domestic contribution.
Supported by large ammunition stocks, the 2-inch mortar provided immediate HE fire, smoke, and illumination, and had effectively replaced the rifle grenade as the infantry’s primary close-support weapon.
3-inch Mortar: Battalion Fire Support
The 3-inch mortar, with 1,688 weapons on hand, formed the backbone of battalion-level indirect fire support.
Of these, 488 were produced in New Zealand, with the majority imported.
Importantly, the Ordnance ML 3-inch mortar did not emerge in isolation. It replaced the earlier 3-inch Stokes mortar, which had served New Zealand effectively during the First World War and was retained in limited use during the interwar period, particularly within Territorial battalion support platoons.
Efforts to rebuild this capability began before the outbreak of war. Sixteen 3-inch mortars were ordered between 1935 and 1937, followed by a further 20 in 1939, reflecting growing recognition of the importance of indirect fire support.
These early procurements provided the foundation for rapid wartime expansion. A key advantage of the system was that modern 3-inch mortar ammunition was designed to function in both the ML and earlier Stokes mortars, ensuring continuity and allowing older weapons to remain in use for training and secondary roles.
With ammunition holdings including over 643,000 HE rounds, the 3-inch mortar system supported sustained fire support, area suppression, and the neutralisation of enemy positions.
60-mm Mortar: Allied Integration and Pre–Lend-Lease Procurement
The 24 M2 60-mm mortars held by New Zealand in 1944 represent a small and ultimately transitional capability within the wider development of infantry firepower.
Acquired in 1942 under urgent conditions, their introduction reflects a period when New Zealand was still adapting to wartime expansion.
From the outset, the 60-mm mortar was tied primarily to Pacific operations. The weapons were issued to the Fiji Defence Force, where they formed part of New Zealand’s regional defence commitments. In this role, they provided a useful but limited close-support capability.
However, as the strategic situation evolved, so too did their employment. With the withdrawal and redeployment of New Zealand forces from Fiji, the mortars were returned to New Zealand. They were issued to Northern Military District Home Defence units, where they filled a niche role within a largely static defensive framework.
This redistribution is significant. It reflects the system’s position on the margins of New Zealand’s ordnance structure. While sufficient for local defence and training purposes, the 60-mm mortar did not align with the standardised British-pattern systems that were becoming dominant across the Army.
Unlike the 2-inch and 3-inch mortars, which were embedded at section and battalion level and supported by established doctrine, training, and supply arrangements, the 60-mm mortar remained limited in scale and application. Early consideration was given to expanding the capability, but this was quickly abandoned, with existing holdings deemed sufficient for requirements. As Lend-Lease supplies matured, the advantages of standardisation became decisive. British-pattern mortars offered commonality of equipment, ammunition, and training across the force, while the 60-mm system remained logistically distinct and operationally isolated.
Production and Supply Context
The broader system reinforces the scale of effort:
- Over 7 million bombs and grenades handled
- Approximately 3½ million from local production
- Mortars, dischargers, and ammunition all saw partial domestic manufacture alongside large-scale imports
New Zealand’s approach was pragmatic:
- Produce what could be scaled locally
- Import complex and specialised systems
Conclusion: A Layered System of Firepower
By MarBy March 1944, New Zealand had developed a coherent and layered infantry support system:
- Grenades for immediate, close combat
- Rifle dischargers as a transitional extension of the individual soldier
- 2-inch mortars providing responsive firepower at the section level
- 3-inch mortars delivering sustained support at platoon and battalion levels
What is most striking is not simply the presence of these systems, but the way they evolved. Many, such as the Mills grenade and Stokes-derived mortar, traced their lineage back to the First World War, were retained in limited form during the interwar years, and then rapidly expanded and modernised as New Zealand mobilised for war.
The decisive transformation was the shift from individual, manually delivered effects to controlled, repeatable, and coordinated firepower systems, with mortars at the centre. This marked a fundamental change in how infantry generated combat power, moving from isolated actions to integrated, scalable effects across the battlefield.
Equally significant was the transformation behind the front line. At the outbreak of war, New Zealand was largely a beneficiary of externally supplied military equipment. By 1944, it had become an active contributor, producing large quantities of grenades, mortar bombs, and selected weapons domestically. This shift did not eliminate reliance on overseas supply, but it reduced vulnerability, increased resilience, and enabled participation in the wider Allied supply system.
This was not merely an increase in quantity. It was the emergence of a mature, adaptable, and partially self-sustaining combat system, underpinned by a logistics organisation capable of expanding production, integrating Allied supply, and sustaining operations at scale. In this, New Zealand’s experience reflects a broader wartime reality: success depended not only on weapons but on the systems that supported, supplied, and evolved them.
Notes
[1] “Appendices to Report on QMG (Quartermaster-General’s) Branch,” Archives New Zealand Item No R25541151 (30 June 1944), .
[2] “Hand grenades, general – August 1942 – June 1945,” Archives New Zealand Item No R6280793 (1941-1944).
[3] “Appendices to Report on QMG (Quartermaster-General’s) Branch.”
[4] “Guns – Mortars – 60mm, purchase of equipment,” Archives New Zealand Item No R22442139 (1942-1970).
