Bomber

Bombers, at least during the First World War, were troops trained in the use of throwing hand-grenades, which came into general use after the First Battle of Ypres (19 October – 22 November, 1914). The term Bomber was officially adopted after controversy over it's previous title, namely that of "Grenadier."

According to Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases: The Grenadier Guards objected, claiming that they had a prescriptive right exclusively to the name, as having been specially conferred on them after Waterloo to commemorate their part in overthrowing Napoleon's Grenadiers of the Guard. The Guards, says Sir Frederick Ponsonby, in his History of the Grenadiers in the War, were "much perturbed" considering it as "an infringement of their privileges and misleading." The Colonel in command of the First Battalion Grenadier Guards protested to the War Office against the "usurpation." After a protracted controversy a final appeal was made to the King, and in May, 1916, it was officially announced that "at His Majesty's 'expressed wish' the word 'Bomber' should be universally substituted for 'Grenadier.'

In more recent times the term bomber has different connotations and is usually associated with terrorism.

References / notes

The above term is listed in our Compendium of the Great War on this day.

Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary with the war, which is reflected in the language used. Sources include: Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases, The War Book-of-Facts and Odhams' A.B.C. of the Great War. Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.

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