Shrapnel

Shrapnel is the collective term for fragments and debris thrown out by an exploding shell or landmine. In the strict sense of the word, shrapnel is shot which is deliberately included in an explosive device, in order to cause death and injury; more loosely, the term is used to refer to any metal debris which is propelled by an explosion which could be more properly called splinters. Although the anti-personnel effects of burst metal shell casings had been known for centuries, the word shrapnel is derived from the name of Major-General Henry Shrapnel (1761?1842), an English artillery officer, whose experiments - initially conducted in his own time, and at his own expense - designed a shell specifically for the purpose.

Related Topics:
Shell - Landmine - Shot - Henry Shrapnel - Artillery

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