The following intelligence report on the German rifle grenade for distributing propaganda leaflets was originally published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 43, January 27, 1944. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

GERMAN PROPAGANDA RIFLE GRENADE For the purpose of distributing propaganda leaflets among enemy front-line troops with whom they are closely engaged, the Germans have in use a propaganda rifle grenade (Gewehr Propaganda Granate). This grenade is similar in appearance to the Germans' small hollow-charge grenade. It is fired from the normal cup launcher. The grenade sight, however, is not used. Range is reported to be approximately 500 yards. The propaganda rifle grenade is about 5 1/2 inches in length. It consists of a steel case with a rifling pre-engraved on the base and containing a delay fuze and a small ejecting charge, a removable cap and two covers for the leaflets. The propelling charge, Gewehr-Kartusche Für Gewehr-Propaganda-Granate (rifle cartridge for rifle propaganda grenade) is distinguished from other propelling charges by a red band painted on the cartridge case. The weight, filled with leaflets, is 8 ounces. The grenades are packed 40 to a box with 41 propelling cartridges and a supply of leaflets. They are, not issued generally to troops but are handled by the sector propaganda officer. Information concerning German army propaganda units was published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 30, p. 22.

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