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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
From Bombard to Piat: British Spigot Weapons of the Second World War

From Bombard to Piat: British Spigot Weapons of the Second World War

Lister, David
Anderson, Thomas

Paperback

British HistoryWeaponry & VehiclesWorld War II

Currently unavailable to order

ISBN10: 1526798522
ISBN13: 9781526798527
Publisher: Frontline Books
Published: Jul 30 2025
Pages: 264
Language: English
Spigot weapons, a unique British invention during World War II, were different from conventional mortars. Instead of a barrel, these weapons used a steel rod, or 'spigot', on which a bomb was placed before being fired. David Lister explores these weapons, revealing their effectiveness despite their controversial reputations.

One such weapon, the PIAT (Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank), became infamous during the Battle of Arnhem, where British paratroopers struggled with its performance compared to the German alternatives. Contrary to popular belief, the PIAT was a powerful anti-tank weapon, capable of taking down enemy tanks. Similarly, the Blacker Bombard, often mocked as a failure, was a formidable weapon used by the Home Guard, proving more effective than its reputation suggested.

At sea, the Hedgehog anti-submarine weapon, another spigot design, was instrumental in sweeping U-boats from the Atlantic, though its potential was underused due to wartime secrecy. Lister examines these overlooked weapons and the genius of Latham Valentine Stewart Blacker, one of Britain's key weapon inventors, who played a pivotal role in their development.

Through these examples, the book uncovers the true power of spigot weapons and their vital contribution to the war effort.

Previously published as Defeating the Panzer-Stuka Menace.

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