Then there was a period of time when more open formations were adopted, when there was less opportunity for the employment of grenades and their use was practically eliminated from the battlefield and confined to sieges, where they have been used more or less since the dawn of military history.
With the advent of the Russo-Japanese War came the extensive use of trenches on the battlefield, and with the trenches came the hand grenades which were used in large quantities by both sides. This was especially the case when the fighting lines came to close quarters and in the assaults against the forts at Port Arthur.
When the European war resolved itself into trench warfare, such as it is today, the use of hand-thrown projectiles assumed an importance heretofore never attained, and today we find ourselves employing hand grenades in every phase of the conflict.
Employment of Grenadiers
Grenadiers are employed on both the offensive and defensive. They accompany the attacking lines in the advance on the enemy's positions, they clear the fire trenches and communication trenches after parts of the enemy's lines have been taken, and on the defense they assist the riflemen in repelling attack and engage the enemy whenever he has obtained a lodgment in the trenches.
Organization
While every infantryman receives a certain amount of instruction in grenade throwing, there should be a grenadier squad in each platoon specially instructed and trained in this most effective auxiliary method of trench warfare. Not all men possess the temperament and qualifications necessary to make efficient grenadiers. Hence the personnel of the grenadier squad should be carefully selected. Strong physique, personal courage and steadiness in emergencies are the qualifications that count. Men fond of outdoor sports, other things being equal, will be found the best.
The grenadier squad is organized as follows:
Front Rank.