Petard Collection

Churchill AVRE Tank in France; Second World War, 1944
Photograph showing a Churchill AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers) tank moving up to the front, France, 1944. The Churchill AVRE tank was equipped with a Petard mortar

The petard, a medieval explosive device in the form of a metal cone filled with gunpowder attached to a gate to blow it open. Invented in France in 1579 for Henri IV, King of Navarre

Figs. 1 and 3, types of Petards, or small bombs, usually conical or rectangular metal objects containing gunpowder
619342 Figs. 1 and 3, types of Petards, or small bombs, usually conical or rectangular metal objects containing gunpowder

Firing a Petard (engraving)
3653649 Firing a Petard (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Firing a Petard. Illustration for The Imperial Dictionary by John Ogilvie)

Siege warfare, c1800. The normal method of applying a petard (explosive device) to the gate of a fortress. The fuse has just been lit

Petard Mortar on a Churchill AVRE Tank; Second World War, 19
Photograph showing the Petard mortar on a Churchill AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers) tank, France, 1944. The Churchill AVRE tank equipped with a Petard mortar

Figs. 1 And 3, Types Of Petards, Or Small Bombs, Usually Conical Or Rectangular Metal Objects Containing Gunpowder. Fig 2 The Pipe Used To Carry The Lighted Match

Royal Engineer adjusting a Flying Dustbin charge; Second W
Photograph showing a soldier of the Royal Engineers preparing a Flying Dustbin explosive charge, France, 1944. The Churchill AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers)

Bonzo is hoist with his own petard! by George Studdy
Bonzo is hoist with his own petard! He pulls at the tablecloth, and manages to break a plate and cover his bone with some kind of sauce or custard. Date: 1924

Normal method of applying a petard (explosive device) to the gate of a fortress. The fuse has just been lit and the Fusilier is retreating quickly in order not to be hoist with his own petard

Method of fixing a petard (explosive device) to a fortress gateway when protected by a moat. Stipple engraving c1800

Damaged Concrete Wall, France; Second World War, 1944
Photograph showing the damage caused to a reinforced concrete wall by a Flying Dustbin explosive charge, France, 1944. The Churchill AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers)

Churchill AVRE Tank entering Geilenkirchen; Second World War
Photograph showing a Churchill AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers) tank entering the town of Geilenkirchen in late 1944

Petard Offensive / 17th C
Diagrams showing the attack offensive on a castle using a petard. A device filled with gunpowder and fastened to the gates, the danger lest the engineer be blown up too

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During the Second World War in 1944, the Churchill AVRE Tank played a crucial role in France. One of its powerful weapons was the petard, an explosive device with medieval origins. These small bombs, depicted as conical or rectangular metal objects containing gunpowder in figures 1 and 3, were used to breach fortresses and walls. To ignite the petard safely, a pipe carrying a lighted match was employed, as shown in figure 2 from "The British Army: Its Origins, Progress and Equipment" published in 1868. This method ensured controlled detonation during siege warfare around the early 19th century. An engraving captures the intensity of firing a petard during this era of warfare. The image highlights how these explosive devices were strategically applied to fortress gates for maximum impact. Figure captions also demonstrate alternative techniques for fixing petards to fortress gateways when protected by moats. Interestingly enough, George Studdy's illustration titled "Bonzo is hoist with his own petard. " adds a touch of humor to our understanding of these explosives. However amusing it may be on paper or canvas, one must not forget that their purpose was destruction and damage. In modern times, we see evidence of their effectiveness through photographs depicting damaged concrete walls in France during the Second World War, and is clear that these petards had significant destructive power when mounted on Churchill AVRE Tanks.