Imperial Japanese Army Explosives - Bombs (Part 1)

Imperial Japanese Army Explosives

 

 

 

 

Type 92 15kg High-Explosive Bomb

    

  

Fuzes: A-2(b) or A-2(d)

Overall Length: 25 and 1/2 inches

Length of body: 14 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 3 and 7/8 inches

Thickness of wall: 1/2 inch

Material of wall: Steel Rings (26)

 

Type of suspension: Vertical and Horizontal

 

Suspension lug: Normal Army suspension lug.  Rectangular hinged steel lug on a plate riveted to the body with four rivets.  A similar steel hinged lug is fastened to the end of the tail fins.

 

Color and markings: Black overall with a red band around the nose and a white band and yellow band forward of the suspension lug.  (White band may be missing)

 

Length of tail: 11 inches

Width of tail: 5 and 1/2 inches

Width of tail fins: 2 and 3/4 inches

 

Dimensions of tail struts:

-Length: 3 and 3/4 inches

-Width: 5/16 inch

-Thickness: 1/16 inch

-Material: 1/16 inch sheet steel

 

Type of filling: 3 pre-cast blocks of picric acid.  TNT is an alternative filling.

Weight of filling: 9lbs 9oz

Total weight of bomb: 33 pounds

Charge/weight ratio: 30%

 

Construction of body: A cast-steel nose is threaded onto a tubular steel body.  Twenty-six steel rings 3/8 inch wide and 3/8 inch thick are fitted around the body.  One ring to which the suspension lug is attached is 1 and 3/8 inches wide and 3/8 inch thick.  A tail cone is screwed onto the after end of the tubular body.

 

Construction of tail:  Four angular fins are welded to the tail cone and braced by a single set of box-type struts.  A suspension lug is secured to the after end of the fins.

 

 

 

Type 99 30kg High-Explosive Bomb

 

   

Fuzes: A-2(a), A-2(c); B-1(a), B-1(b); D-5(a)

Overall length: 33 and 1/4 inches

Length of body: 19 and 3/4 inches

Diameter of body: 5 and 7/8 inches

Thickness of wall: 9/32 inch

Material of wall: Tubular Steel

 

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: Normal army suspension lug

 

Color and marking: Black overall with a red band around the nose and a yellow band and white band around the body forward of the suspension lug.

 

Length of tail: 13 and 1/2 inches

Width of tail: 8 and 1/4 inches

Width of tail fins: 3 and 1/4 inches

 

Dimensions of tail struts:

-Length: 5 and 3/4 inches

-Width: 1 inch

-Thickness: 1/16 inch

-Material: Sheet steel

 

Type of filling: 3 pre-formed blocks

-Cyclonite: 48%

-TNT: 52%

 

Weight of filling: 25lbs 12oz

Total weight of bomb: 66 lbs

Charge/weight ratio: 39%

 

Construction of body: A cast-steel nosepiece is screwed into a tubular steel body.  A tail cone is welded to the after end of the steel body.

 

Construction of tail: Four tail fins are spot welded to the cone, and are braced by a single set of box-type struts.

 

Remarks:  This bomb has been found with sheet steel plates welded to the outer edges of the fins to form a box-like reinforcement for the tail fins.  They cover the area from the after end of the fins to a point just forward of the curve in the fins.  This is an anti-shipping adaptation using the A-8(a) and B-8(a) fuzes. 

 

Documents report that an anti-penetration device is used on the tail of the Type 99 30kg bomb for minimum altitude bombing.

 

 

 

Type 94 50kg, Type 94 and Type 3 100kg High-Explosive Bombs

  

    

Fuzes: A-2(a), A-2(b), A-2(c); B-1(a), B-1(b); D-5(a)

 

50kg

Overall length: 41 inches

Length of body: 24 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 7 inches

Thickness of wall: 1/4 inch

 

100kg

Overall length: 53 inches

Length of body: 31 and 1/4 inches

Diameter of body: 9 and 1/2 inches

Thickness of wall: 13/32 inch

 

Material of wall: Tubular steel

 

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: Normal Army suspension lug

 

Color and markings:  Black overall with a red band around the nose and a white band and yellow band around the body just forward of the suspension lug.

 

50kg

Length of tail: 16 and 5/8 inches

Width of tail: 9 and 1/2 inches

Width of tail fins: 3 and 1/2 inches

Dimensions of tail struts: 6 and 7/8 x 1 and 9/16 x 3/32 inches

Material of tail: Sheet steel

Type of filling: 3 blocks of picric acid

Weight of filling: 44 lbs

Total weigh tof bomb: 110 lbs

Charge/weight ratio: 40%

 

100kg

Length of tail: 21 and 3/4 inches

Width of tail: 13 and 1/4 inches

Width of tail fins: 5 and 7/16 inches

Dimensions of tail struts:

-Forward Struts: 9 and 7/16 x 1 and 3/16 x 3/32 inches

-After Struts: 9 and 7/16 x 1 and 9/16 x 3/32 inches

Material of tail: Sheet steel

Type of filling:

-Type 94: 4 blocks of picric acid

-Type 3: 5 blocks of picric acid

Weight of filling: 97lbs 12oz

Total weigh tof bomb: 220 lbs

Charge/weight ratio: 42.5%

 

Construction of body:

Type 94, 50kg and 100kg:  A cast-steel nose is screwed into a tubular steel body.  A tail cone is welded to the after end of the body.

 

Type 3, 100kg: A cast steel nosepiece is welded to a tubular-steel body.  A tail cone is welded to a collar which is screwed into the after end of the body.

 

Construction of tail:  Four tail fins are spot welded to the tail cone and are braced by box type struts.  The 50kg bomb has a single set of struts.  The 100kg bomb has two sets of struts.

 

Remarks:  The Type 94 100kg bomb may vary in its explosive filling:

Variations include: (1) Picric Acid - 78%; TNT - 22% in 4 pre-formed blocks. 

(2) Ammonium nitrate - 78%; RDX - 22% cast into the bomb.

 

 

 

 

Type 94 Modified and Type 1 50kg and 100kg High-Explosive Bombs

   

 

Fuzes:

-Type 94 Modified: C-3(a), B-1(a), B-1(b)

-Type 1: C-3(a), E-1(a)

 

50kg

Overall length: 40 inches

Length of body: 23 and 1/4 inches

Diameter of body: 7 and 1/8 inches

Thickness of wall: 9/32 inch

 

100kg

Overall length: 52 inches

Length of body: 30 and 1/4 inches

Diameter of body: 9 and 1/2 inches

Thickness of wall: 13/32 inch

 

Material of wall: Tubular Steel

 

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: Normal Army type suspension lug

 

Color and markings:  Black overall and a red band around the nose.  One yellow and one white band are forward of the suspension lug.

 

50kg

Length of tail: 16 and 5/8 inches

Width of tail: 9 and 3/4 inches

Width of tail fins: 3 and 5/16 inches

Dimensions of tail struts: 6 and 7/8 x 1 and 9/16 x 3/32 inches

Material of tail: Sheet steel

Type of filling: 3 blocks of picric acid

Weight of filling: 44 lbs

Total weight of bomb: 110 lbs

Charge/weight ratio: 40%

 

100kg

Length of tail: 21 and 3/4 inches

Width of tail: 13 and 3/8 inches

Width of tail fins: 5 and 1/8 inches

Dimensions of tail struts:

-Forward: 9 and 7/16 x 1 and 3/16 x 3/32 inches

-After: 9 and 7/16 inches x 1 and 9/16 x 3/32 inches

Material of tail: Sheet steel

Type of filling: 4 blocks of picric acid

Weight of filling: 103 lbs

Total weight of bomb: 237 lbs

Charge/weight ratio: 43.6%

 

Construction of body: A cast-steel nosepiece is screwed into a tubular-steel body.  The orifice in the nose measures 3 inches in diameter.  A tail cone is welded to the after end of the body.  A fuze adapter is welded onto the apex of the cone.

 

-Type 94 Modified: The tail fuze pocket is completely threaded

-Type 1: The tail fuze pocket has three threads and then an annular groove.

 

Construction of tail:  Four fins are welded to the tail cone and braced by box-type struts, a single set for 50kg bombs and a double set for 100kg bombs.  A tail brake is fitted to the after end of the tail of the bombs.

 

 

 

Type 1 250kg High-Explosive Bomb

  

   

Fuzes: C-3(a), E-1(a)

 

Overall length: 75 and 1/4 inches

Length of body: 45 and 1/4 inches

Diameter of body: 11 and 3/4 inches

Thickness of wall: 1/4 inch

Material of wall: Tubular steel

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: Normal Army type

 

Color and markings: Black overall.  One yellow and one white band (7/8 inch) forward of the suspension lug, 1 inch red band on tip of nose.

 

Length of tail: 30 inches

Width of tail: 16 and 1/2 inches

Width of tail fins: 8 and 1/4 inches

 

Dimensions of tail struts:

-Length: 11 inches

-Width: 7/8 inch

-Thickness: 1/16 inch

-Material: Steel

 

Type of filling: Preformed, paper-wrapped, paraffin sealed picric acid blocks

Weight of filling: 227 lbs

Total weight of bomb: 550 lbs

Charge/weight ratio: 43%

 

Construction of body:  A cast-steel nosepiece is screwed into a tubular-steel body.  The tail cone is welded to the after end of the body.  The nosepiece has a 3-inch orifice to accommodate the C-3(a) time fuze.

 

Construction of tail:  Four fins are welded to the tail cone and braced by two sets of box-type struts.  A fuze adapter is welded at the apex of the tail cone.  The tail fuze pocket has three threads and then an annular groove.

 

 

 

Type 92 250kg and 500kg High-Explosive Bombs

 

 
Fuzes: A-4(a), B-4(a)

 

250kg

Overall length: 76 inches

Length of body: 46 inches

Diameter of body: 11 and 3/4 inches

Thickness of wall: 1/4 inch

 

500kg

Overall length: 99 and 3/4 inches

Length of body: 57 and 1/2 inches

Diameter of body: 15 inches

Thickness of wall: 9/16 inch

 

Material of wall: Tubular Steel

 

Type of suspension: Horizontal

Suspension lug: Normal Army type suspension lug

 

Color and markings:  Black overall with a red tipped nose.  One yellow and one white band forward of the suspension lug.

 

250kg

Length of tail: 30 inches

Width of tail: 16 and 1/2 inches

Width of tail fins: 8 and 1/4 inches

Dimensions of tail struts: 11 x 7/8 x 1/16 inches

Material of tail: Steel

Type of filling: Preformed blocks of picric acid

Weight of filling: 230 lbs

Total weight of bomb: 550 lbs

Charge/weight ratio: 43%

 

500kg

Length of tail: 43 and 1/4 inches

Width of tail: 20 and 3/4 inches

Width of tail fins: 10 and 3/8 inches

Dimensions of tail struts: 11 x 7/8 x 1/16 inches

Material of tail: Steel

Type of filling: Preformed blocks of picric acid

Weight of filling: 491 lbs

Total weight of bomb: 1100 lbs

Charge/weight ratio: 46.4%

 

Construction of body: A cast-steel nosepiece is threaded into a tubular-steel body.  A tail cone is welded to the after end of the body.

 

Construction of tail:  Four fins are welded to the tail cone and braced by two sets of box-type struts.  The tail fins of the 500kg are similar to the Navy bombs in that they are angled on the outer edge, as compared to the characteristic curve on the fins of Army 30kg to 250kg high-explosive bombs.

Next Time: Skipping and thermite bombs

Soviet Satellite Country Ammunition - Bulgaria

Examination of Bulgarian Ammunition Production/Inventory

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is believed incapable of manufacturing the large quantities of ammunition that would be required by its army in order to wage war, but does have facilities for making the various conventional types of ammunition.

The bulk of the native production probably is devoted to ammunition of Soviet World War II types, inasmuch as the Bulgarian Army is largely equipped with Soviet World War II weapons.  There may also be limited manufacture of munitions for other foreign weapons, notably those of German origin, although such weapons are held in reserve or used for training purposes and are not currently significant as items of issue to troops.

The USSR, and perhaps certain of the Satellites, would have to supply Bulgaria with any large quantities of ammunition and may already have shipped considerable amounts along with the using weapons.

Bulgaria is assumed to have ammunition for Soviet field artillery weapons (including field/AT guns) ranging from 76mm through 152mm caliber, Soviet mortars from 82mm through 160mm caliber, coast artillery pieces up to 280mm, as well as for the Soviet 82mm and 132mm rocket launchers.  Ammunition for Soviet 14.5mm antitank rifles also is on hand, but whether other infantry antitank weapons and ammunition may be found is uncertain.  Information on pyrotechnic ammunition is not available, but pyrotechnics doubtless exist in the Bulgarian Army, probably in the form of Soviet World War II materiel.

Glossary of Bulgarian Terms

Bomba - Bomb

Materialna chast - Materiel; equipment matters

Mina - Mine; mortar shell

Samokhodna artileriya - Self-Propelled artillery

Tezhka artileriya - Heavy artillery

Tezhka kartechnitsa - Heavy machinegun

Fugas - Land mine

Shpagin - Soviet PPSh-41

Shmayzer - Schmeisser submachinegun

Inventory Overview

A. Small Arms Ammunition

 

Bulgaria has small arms ammunition production facilities which are adequate to supply the country's peacetime needs.  It is doubtful, however, that these facilities could manufacture enough small arms ammunition to meet the demands of war.  Bulgarian factories can, and probably do, manufacture ammunition of Soviet design, as well as 7.92mm, 9mm parabellum, and various other "standard" European cartridges; however, no positive identification of individual rounds in current production is available at this time.  Since the standard Bulgarian Army small arms are of Soviet origin, the standard ammunition, too, will be of Soviet design.  German, Czech, and British rounds also may be stockpiled and in some cases manufactured, but the corresponding foreign using weapons apparently are in service with quasi-military organizations or are held in reserve.

 

 

 

B. Mortar Ammunition

 

The standard mortar ammunition of the Bulgarian Army is believed to comprise the Soviet 82mm, 107mm, 120mm, and 160mm, types of World War II.  These rounds may possibly be manufactured locally to some extent, but major quantities are probably received from the USSR or from other Satellites.  Some stocks of foreign origin other than Soviet may well be on hand, but their importance would be relatively minor.

 

 

 

C. Artillery Ammunition

 

Factories and arsenals in Bulgaria are capable of supplying limited quantities of artillery ammunition, but would find it impossible to satisfy the needs of the Bulgarian Army in time of war.  Kazanluk is the principal government arsenal and, in addition to repairing and assembling weapons, it produces ammunition of all kinds.  As Bulgaria is receiving most of its military weapons from the USSR, the probabilities are that a large percentage of the ammunition comes from the USSR also.

 

The Bulgarian munitions plant at Gara Kostenets, Karlovo, and Kolarovgrad assemble shells up to 155mm caliber.  Major ammunition dumps are believed to be located throughout the country in the three army regions of Bulgaria.

 

 

 

D. Rockets

 The Soviet 82mm and 132mm rockets of World War II are thought to be standard in the Bulgarian Army.  In view of the emphasis placed on rockets by the Soviets, and the close adherence of the Bulgarian Army to Soviet military patterns, the existence of other types of Soviet rockets in the Bulgarian Army would not be surprising.  Some German World War II rockets conceivably may be held also.  Whether this Balkan Satellite manufactures rocket ammunition is not known.

E. Pyrotechnics

Information on pyrotechnics is not available.  It may be expected, however, that this category of ammunition will conform to the general rule of standardization on Soviet materiel, with some holdings of non-Soviet World War II items.

8mm Ball Cartridge, Model 1890

  

This cartridge is of Austrian design and has been used extensively by Italy, Hungary, and Yugoslavia, in addition to Bulgaria.  Weapons most commonly encountered which use this round are: 8mm Mannlicher M1895 rifles and carbines, and 8mm Schwarzlose M07/12 machinegun.  The round has no color markings of any kind.  Bullet jackets are usually steel or nickel-plated steel.

I believe the ammunition above is the 8x50mmR Mannlicher

Next Time: Communist China

 

Imperial Japanese Navy Ammunition - 140mm Projectiles

 

 

 

 

Imperial Japanese Navy Ammunition

 

 

 

14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Propellant and Tanks

  

 

Powder tanks: For storage purposes, the propellant charges are sealed in waterproof containers commonly known as "powder tanks."  Two types of the tanks have been recovered: one is a heavy tank (26.4 pounds) of cast steel and bronze; the other is sheet steel and aluminum and weighs 15.4 pounds.  Both are well lacquered inside and have the same internal dimensions, 6.2 inches by 33.4 inches.

 

Propellant: 37 C: 24.51 pounds

Unperforated cylindrical sticks approximately 3.7mm by 28 inches graphited, double-base powder.  The propellant sticks are enclosed in a bag of heavy brownish silk.  An ignition pad containing 17.2g of granular black powder is laced onto the base of the charge.

 

Primer: Mk 2 lock percussion primer

 

Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun (low angle)

 

This is a pedestal-mounted deck gun employing bag ammunition.  It is commonly found in shore emplacements for coastal defense and limited anti-aircraft use.  Strongly resembling the Type 3rd Year 12cm/45 gun in design, this weapon also has three recoil cylinders all mounted above the tube and an interrupted thread breech block hinged on the right.  This gun has been found both with a splinter shield attached, and without.

 

 

 

 

14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) High-Explosive Projectile

 

 

  

Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 82.7 pounds

Weight of empty projectile: 74.43 pounds

Weight stamped on rotating band: No data (varies with individual projectiles)

 

Length of projectile (without fuze, with adapter): 21.02 inches

Length of projectile (without fuze or adapter): 19.75 inches

 

Diameter at bourrelet: 5.49 inches

Distance from base to rotating band: 0.6 inches

Width of rotating band: 1.6 inches

Radius of ogive: 5 cal

 

Filling: Cast Picric Acid (Shimose): 7.9 lbs

The charge consists of a single block of explosive cast and sealed in a waxed container, encased in a heavy cotton-flannel bag and sealed in the projectile with paraffin.

 

Fuzing: Type 5th Year point detonating fuze

 

Removal of the adapter does not permit alternate fuzing, because the lower threaded portion of the adapter is larger than any known fuze.

 

Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun (low angle)

 

 

  

(Type 0 Ordinary) 14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) High-Explosive Projectile

   

   

Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 88.22 pounds

Weight of empty projectile: 81.62 pounds

Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): 34.1 kg (varies with individual projectiles)

  

Length of projectile (without fuze): 21.55 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 5.49 inches

Distance from base to rotating band: 0.59 inch

  

Width of rotating band:

-Forward: 1.11 inches

-Space: 0.38 inch

-Aft: 1.09 inches

  

Radius of ogive: No Data

  

Filling: Cast picric acid (shimose): 6.6 pounds

 

The charge consists of a single block of explosive cast and sealed in a waxed paper container, encased in a heavy cotton-flannel bag and sealed in the projectile with paraffin.

 

Fuzing:

-Type 91 mechanical time fuze

-Type 88 point detonating fuze

 

Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun (low angle)

 

Remarks: This projectile permits the 14cm/50 gun to be used for anti-aircraft fire, but the angle of elevation of the weapon definitely limits its effectiveness.

  

 

 

(Ordinary Mk 1) 14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Common Projectile

 

   

Weight of filled projectile (with fuze): 83.82 pounds

Weight of empty projectile: 77.88 pounds

Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): 34.3 kg (varies with individual projectiles)

 

Length of projectile: 21.7 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 5.49 inches

Distance from base to rotating band: 0.59 inch

 

Width of rotating band:

-Forward: 1.11 inches

-Space: 0.38 inch

-Aft: 1.09 inches

 

Radius of ogive: No Data

 

Filling: Cast picric acid (shimose): 5.94 pounds

 

The charge consists of two blocks of explosive cast and sealed in a waxed paper containers encased in a heavy cotton-flannel bag and sealed in the projectile with paraffin.

 

Fuzing: Type 13th Year Mk I Mod 1 base fuze

 

Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun

 

 

 

(Ordinary Mod 1) 14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Common Capped

  

   

Weight of filled projectile (with fuze): 84.94 pounds

Weight of empty projectile: 80.14 pounds

Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): 35.8 kg (varies with individual projectiles)

 

Length of projectile: 21.63 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 5.94 inches

Distance from base to rotating band: 0.593 inch

 

Width of rotating band:

-Forward: 1.11 inches

-Space: 0.38 inch

-Aft: 1.09 inches

 

Radius of ogive: Not determined

 

Filling: Cast picric acid (shimose): 4.8 pounds

 

The charge consists of a single block of explosive cast and sealed in a waxed-paper container, encased in a heavy cotton-flannel bag and sealed in the projectile with paraffin.

 

Fuzing: Type 13th Year Mk I Mod 1 base detonating fuze

 

Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun

 

 

 

14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Illuminating Projectile

    

   

Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 87.5 pounds

Weight of empty projectile: 67.46 pounds (approx)

Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): No Data (varies on individual projectiles)

 

Length of projectile (without fuze): 20.3 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 5.49 inches

Distance from base to rotating band: 0.59 inch

 

Width of rotating band:

-Forward: 1.11 inches

-Space: 0.38 inch

-Aft: 1.09 inches

 

Radius of ogive: No Data

 

Filling:

-Primary ejection charge (black powder): 100 grams

-Secondary ejection charge (black powder): 41 grams

-Initiating pellet, relay train, and delay are black powder

 

The ignition compound for the illuminant is a mixture of potassium nitrate, iron oxide, aluminum, sulphur, and wax.

 

The illuminant is a mixture of barium nitrate, magnesium, and wax.

 

-Weight: 31 pounds

 

Fuzing: Type 91 mechanical time fuze

 

Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun

 

Operation:

At the end of the time set, the mechanical time fuze fires the initiating pellet.  The relay train transmits the flash to the base of the primary ejection charge container and ignites the charge.  The primary ejection charge expels the canister containing the illuminating charge and its parachute, and also ignites the delay element. 

 

A short time after the canister is ejected from the projectile body, the delay element fires the secondary ejection charge which expels the illuminating charge and parachutes and ignites the illuminant.  Two parachutes, a large one above a small one, suspend the illuminating unit.

 

Burning time: Not determined

 

 

 

 

14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Smoke Projectile

  

 

Weight of filled projectile (without fuze): 68.80 pounds

Weight of empty projectile: No Data

Weight stamped on rotating band (sample): No data (varies with individual projectiles)

 

Length of projectile (without fuze): 20.63 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.49 inches

Distance from base to rotating band: 0.65 inch

 

Width of rotating band: 1.56 inches

 

Filling: Presumably white phosphorus

 

Fuzing: Probably Type 98 mechanical time fuze

 

Weapons used in: Type 3rd Year 14cm/50 gun

 

 

 

 

14cm (140mm)(5.5inch) Cartridge Case (Semi-fixed)

 

   

Case:

-Length: 21.67 inches

-Diameter of base: 7 inches

-Material: Brass

-Weight (empty): 17 pounds

Propellant: 30 DC (Type 13 propellant): 6.8 kg

Unperforated cylindrical sticks approximately 3mm by 501mm of graphited double-base powder.

The propellant sticks are enclosed in a bag of heavy brownish silk.

 

Primer: No Data

 

Weapons used in: No Data

 

 

 

Next Time: 15cm and 15.5cm Projectiles

Soviet Satellite Country Ammunition - Albania

Examination of Albanian Ammunition Production/Inventory

As most of you who have been following this blog, you'll note that the Soviet Ammunition posts usually, if not always, refer to obsolete weapons or what would now be considered surplus/dated projectiles.  This is because the data is pulled from a technical manual from the early '50s.  Its a unique piece of history, one I hope to keep in as good a condition as I received it.  But, that aside, the manual is more or less composed of 2 to 3 separate manuals collated together.  The first two were small arms projectiles and large projectiles/rockets/etc.  

However, the third part focuses on the many satellite nations that were under Soviet influence Post-WW2.  It offers what I believe to be a particularly fascinating look at minor nations, or how they were viewed by Allied intelligence while keeping with the ammunition/projectile theme.

So without further ado, let's begin with Albania.

 Albania

 Albania has no native munitions industry, and is consequently entirely dependent on imported ammunition.  The currently troublesome problem of procuring the necessary ammunition for the Albanian Army's various foreign-made weapons may be expected to become less serious as standardization on Soviet Army equipment progresses.  Concrete figures can not be given on the degree to which standardization has been complete, but probably a sizeable percentage of Albanian Army weapons and ammunition now is Soviet World War II materiel.  Czechoslovakia, as well as the USSR, is believed to be a manufacturing source of Albanian ammunition.  The Czech products quite possibly include items of both Czech and Soviet design.

Stocks of ammunition obtained in World War II from other foreign countries, chiefly Germany and Italy, also are to be found in the Albanian Army.  These will probably be of little or no significance after the next few years.

Glossary of Albania Terms

Baj hoka - Cannister

Bombe flakse - HE Bomb

Bombe nxehse - Incendiary Bomb

Brishke - Bullet

Ckrej - Fire (or discharge)

Department i armëve - Ordnance department

Fishëk - Cartridge

Fysheksh - Cartridge case

Gracka për ustarë - Booby traps

Gremisje - Demolitions

Giyle topi - Shell

Landë, luftëe - Munitions

Municione - Ammunition

Tartarake - Machine gun

Top fushuer - Mortar

Topa kundratankore - Antitank guns

Topa të rendë - Artillery (guns)

Inventory Overview

A. Small Arms Ammunition

Information on Albanian small arms ammunition manufacture is completely lacking.  The quantities held by the country are presumably Soviet, Italian, German, and possibly British stocks of World War II origin.

B. Mortar Ammunition

Mortar ammunition probably consists mainly of Soviet 82mm and 107mm rounds.  Some Italian 45mm shells, and possibly some 81mm ammunition of German, French, and Italian origin, may be on hand.  Definitive evidence on the subject is not found.

C. Artillery Ammunition
 

It is believed that the Albanian Army is entirely dependent on the USSR and Czechoslovakia for replacement supply of artillery ammunition.  Caliber sizes are thought to range up through 203mm, although quantities of the heavy calibers of ammunition probably are quite small.  Soviet weapons are now considered standard in most artillery categories, and complete standardization on Soviet artillery weapons and ammunition is likely for the future.  Soviet artillery rounds to be found in Albania at present are of the following calibers: 37mm, 45mm, 76mm, 85mm, 122mm, and 152mm.  Specific types furnished to Albania in these calibers are not known.

In addition to the Soviet and Czech-made ammunition, Albania is thought to hold very limited reserve stocks for certain German and Italian World War II weapons.

D. Rockets

No information on Albanian use of rockets is available.  The possibility of the Albanian Army having such ammunition, of course, cannot be ruled out.

E. Pyrotechnics

While pyrotechnics undoubtedly exist in the Albanian Army, specific information on the subject is not available at present.

Next Time: Bulgaria