Leach Trench Catapult
| Leach Trench Catapult | |
|---|---|
| Type | Catapult |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1915–1916 |
| Used by | United Kingdom |
| Wars | World War I |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Claude Pemberton Leach |
| Designed | 1915 |
| Manufacturer | Gamages |
| Unit cost | £6 17s 6d |
| Produced | March–October 1915 |
| Number built | 152[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Effective firing range | 200 yd (180 m) |
The Leach Trench Catapult (sometimes called a Leach-Gamage Catapult) was a bomb-throwing catapult used by the British Army on the Western Front during World War I. It was designed to throw a 2 lb (0.91 kg) projectile in a high trajectory into enemy trenches. Although called a catapult, it was effectively combination crossbow and slingshot.[2] It was invented by Claude Pemberton Leach as an answer to the German Wurfmaschine, a spring-powered device for propelling a hand grenade about 200 m (220 yd).[1]
The design was a Y shaped frame with natural rubber bands pulled taut by a windlass and held in position by a hook release. They were manufactured by the Gamages department store in Central London and cost just £6 17s 6d to make.[1] In tests, the Leach Catapult could propel a golf ball 200 yd (180 m), and a cricket ball or Mills bomb 120–150 yd (110–140 m).[1] However, with new rubbers it was reported to be able to propel a Jam Tin Grenade or No. 15 Ball grenade up to 200 yd (180 m).[3]
The first was produced in March 1915 and by October of that year over 150 had been produced. 20 were allocated to each Division.[1] From the end of 1915 they were replaced by the French-made Sauterelle grenade launcher, and in 1916 by the 2 inch Medium Trench Mortar and Stokes mortar.[3]
Copies of the Leach Catapult, made locally by the Royal Engineers, were used in the Gallipoli Campaign.[4]
References
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