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

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 compar...