<P> The major grenades used in the beginning by the German Army were the impact - detonating "discus" or "oyster shell" bomb and the Mod 1913 black powder kugelhandgranate with a friction - ignited time fuse . During the war Germany developed the much more effective Model 24 grenade or "potato masher" whose variants remained in use for decades . </P> <P> Hand grenades were not the only attempt at projectile explosives for infantry . A rifle grenade was brought into the trenches to attack the enemy from a greater distance . The Hales rifle grenade got little attention from the British Army before the war began but, during the war, Germany showed great interest in this weapon . The resulting casualties for the Allies caused Britain to search for a new defense . </P> <P> The Stokes mortar, a lightweight and very portable trench mortar with short tube and capable of indirect fire, was rapidly developed and widely imitated . Mechanical bomb throwers of lesser range were used in a similar fashion to fire upon the enemy from a safe distance within the trench . </P> <P> The Sauterelle was a grenade launching Crossbow used before the Stokes morter by French and British troops . </P>

What were the most effective weapons in ww1