German Explosive Ordnance - Pyrotechnics (Part 1)

German Explosives

Pyrotechnics




Introduction


This series will describe German aircraft pyrotechnics.  It includes flares, photographic flash bombs, markers, smoke generators, etc.

Basically, German flares consist of a cylindrical container housing an illuminating element, which upon being ignited by a pull friction igniter or time fuze, burns vigorously producing great illumination and intense heat.  The flare may or may not have a parachute, depending upon the use for which it is intended.  The illuminating element consists either of a single or a multiple candle unit which varies in intensity of illumination and color, according to its purpose.  Methods of carrying flares vary with the individual sizes.  Large flares may be suspended horizontally while small flares may be carried in containers.

German photographic flash bombs are similar in external appearance to conventional 50-kg bombs and parachute flare cases.  Their fillings may be either flare composition or incendiary mixture, ignited by electrical or mechanical aerial burst fuzes.

Markers used by the Germans consist principally of cylindrical cardboard containers, filled with a colored flare composition which is ignited by an impact type fuze.  A few individual markers do not follow this pattern of construction.  Some are merely containers of brightly colored powder, which are dumped into the sea from low altitudes to mark positions.  Others are modified parachute flares of various colors.

Fundamentally, German smoke generators are smoke pots modified for dropping from aircraft.  Each consists of a cylindrical aluminum case, containing a smoke producing composition which is ignited by a pull friction igniter.  A parachute is used in some cases to retard the fall of the generator.  Large smoke generators may be suspended from racks while small ones, known as smoke pots, are carried in containers.

LC 10  Single Candle Parachute Flare

Overall Length:15 inches

Body Diameter: 3 and 5/8 inches


Construction: The LC 10 single candle parachute flare consists mainly of an aluminum cylinder, the flare candle contained in a cardboard liner, an 89 clockwork fuze and a parachute.  The fuze is located in a steel sleeve at the nose end of the flare body.  This sleeve is attached to the body by three screws.  An aluminum cap fits over the steel sleeve leaving the fuze exposed.

The parachute is located in the tail end of the flare body.  The opening at the tail is closed by a steel cup.  The suspension eye bolt is secured to the end of the cup.


Operation: The 89 fuze begins to function when the flare is dropped.  At a predetermined time the fuze fires and ejects the candle and its parachute from the body.  The candle is ignited by the same action.



Suspension: ABB 500 incendiary containers.








Parachute Flare FB 50 (Single Candle) and LC 50 F Ausf. C (Four Candle)

Overall Length: 42.5 inches

Body Length: 42.5 inches

Body Diameter: 8 inches
Wall Thickness: 3/32 inches
Filling: Flare Composition
Total Weight: 76 pounds

Color and Markings: The body, tail fins, and domed cap may be unpainted aluminum or painted black all over.  Manufacturer's markings may be stenciled on the case near the domed cap.


Construction: The body consists of a case made of seamless aluminum tubing, a pan-shaped plate over which the tube is crimped and secured by 24 aluminum rivets, and a dome-shaped cover secured to the tube by six brass shear screws.  A concave steel plate stiffens the nose for vertical suspension.  A felt disc supports the parachute which is stowed behind a paper sleeve.  The fuze pocket is of steel and contains the fuze and wooden quickmatch holder.  Eight semicircular fibre pads and one disc are wedged around the fuze pocket. 

Four strands of quickmatch pass from the holder via a rubber tube and an aluminum tube to a black powder charge in the tail-end.  Immediately behind the ejector cup are two fibre discs, shaped to allow passage of the rubber quickmatch tube, the parachute suspension wires and to accommodate the side suspension block.  The four candles are held together by a steel plate in the form of a cross bolted on to them.  There are four eyebolts screwed to each arm of the cross to take the parachute wires.  A 3/16-inch steel wire welded around the cross ensures easy passage of the candles on ejection from the casing.  Each candle is provided with a match igniter at its base.

On release, the pyrotechnic delay in the fuze is ignited.  This fires the quickmatch which in turn ignites the black powder charge in the tail.  The charge ejects the candles by shearing the brass screws, the candles simultaneously being ignited through perforations in the ejector plate.

There are no tail fins on the case of the single candle flare but the four candle flare has four fins riveted to the case, two of which are 16 inches long and two 3 inches long, all being 2 inches wide.

These are located at the far end of the case from the parachute.  The parachute is of celanese, 13 feet in diameter.  It is attached to the candles by 12 silk shroud lines 10 feet long and woven steel wire.



Suspension: Vertical or horizontal


Remarks: The flare composition is:
-16.5% Aluminum
-75.8% Barium Nitrate
-7.7% Sulphur
-0.2% Volatile Matter

Both flares burn slightly longer than 5 minutes.

Candlepower:
-Single candle: 216,000
-Four candles: 600,000





LC 50 F Ausf. E Parachute Flare

Overall Length: 42 and 1/8 inches

Body Length: 42 and 1/8 inches

Body Diameter: 7 and 11/16 inches
Filling: Flare composition

Flare Candle
Overall Length: 20 and 3/8 inches
Diameter: 4.8 inches
Weight: 23.14 pounds

Stabilizing Fins: 2 and 3/4 inches (x2); and 16 inches (x2)

Color: Exterior painted black with one marking "Ausf.E" stenciled in on a silver patch just forward of the fuze pocket.  The markings on the parachute are: Gerat LC 50 F Ausf.C.



Construction: The container of the parachute flare is a drawn steel cylinder 1 mm thick compressed circumferentially to form two internal flanges.  The forward end is enclosed by a dome cover and the after end by a plate.  A cardboard disc separates the fuze pocket from the 12 pounds of clay ballast in the nose.  The cardboard disk is retained by a ring which has an L-section and is spot welded to the inside of the container.  The domed cover which fits inside the container is located near the forward flange.  It is secured by the rim at the forward end of the container.  The fitting in the cover is threaded to take a suspension lug.

The wooden block beneath one fuze has a central hole and a side channel through which the flash from the fuze ignites the powder train in the rubber tube.  This in turn ignites the black powder charge in the diaphragm.  The diaphragm is positioned by the after internal flange and the plaster of paris cylinder.  The single flare candle is within this cylinder and sealed by the washer.  The parachute shrouds are wound around the top of the candle and a cardboard ejector disc is placed below the folded parachute.  A tight fitting felt pad is inserted above the parachute and is held in place by the end plate.  This latter is secured by six soft metal screws which are easily sheared.  Of the four stabilizing fins on the tail of the container, one pair is 2 and 3/4 inches long while the other is 16 inches long. 

The candle is an aluminum tube closed at one end, with a paper liner containing the compressed flare composition.  A light aluminum container inserted in the concave end of the candle contains the black powder igniter.  At the other end of the candle a heat insulating layer, consisting of cast plaster, is provided to protect the shrouds of the parachute.  The latter are arranged in two groups connected by two 4-foot lengths of S.W.R. to the closing plate, which is riveted to the container.

The parachute, 4 feet in diameter, is made out of 12 sections of artificial silk and vented at the center.



Suspension: Horizontal








LC 50 F Ausf. G Parachute Flare

Overall Length: 43 inches

Body Diameter: 7.87 inches
Tail Width: 11 inches
Filling: Flare composition
Total Weight: 32 kilograms (approx.)

Color: Body and tail are dull black.  "LC 50 F Ausf. G" is stenciled in 40 mm white letters on two sides of body 35 mm behind the suspension lug.



Construction: The body of the LC 50 F Ausf.G parachute flare is constructed of sheet aluminum,  The base is closed off by a flat plate and secured to the cylinder by 12 rivets.  A parachute closing cap forms the forward end of the container.

The parachute is found in the forward part of the container between the parachute closing cap and the fuze pocket.  The suspension lug is located a few inches aft of the fuze pocket.  The suspension lug brace contains the black powder puff and also connects the flash channel from the fuze pocket to the central igniter train.  The remaining part of the container aft of the suspension lug is filled with flare composition.


Operation: After release, the airburst fuze functions to explode 3 grams of black powder in bakelite gaines which in turn lights pyrotechnic delay to explode a powder puff.  Pressure exerted by the resultant gases forces the parachute against the parachute closing cap to shear the retaining rivets, and so permit the ejection of the parachute into the air stream.  Simultaneously the flash from the powder puff ignites the igniter train leading centrally through the flare candle to the five igniter stars which in turn ignite and ensure a substantially even ignition of the flare composition.  It appears that the gases produced by the ignition of the igniter stars exert sufficient pressure to shear the rivets retaining the flare composition closing disc.



Suspension: Vertical or horizontal



Remarks: Information on this flare is based upon translation of a German document.

Next Time: Pyrotechnics (Part 2)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters

German Explosive Ordnance - Incendiary, Smoke, and Practice Bombs (Part 4)

German Explosives

ZC 10kg Concrete Practice Bomb

Overall Length: 23 inches

Body Length: 12 and 3/4 inches

Body Diameter: 3 and 1/4 inches
Wall Thickness: 0.5 side to 0.86 inches tail
Tall Length: 8 and 3/8 inches
Tail Width: 4 and 5/8 inches


Color and Markings: Body unpainted with 2-inch white band at the nose.  Tail vanes aluminum color; nose, black.  LFB 110 stenciled on body.



Construction: The bomb has a concrete body of the same dimensions as the SC10.  A conical dummy fuze head of block bakelite is fitted to the nose end of the bomb.  This fuze head is secured by four evenly spaced wires embedded in cement extending through the bomb.  The wires pass through four housings in the bakelite fuze head, and are secured in position at the nose by turning over the protruding ends.  The other ends of the four wires are secured by passing each wire through separate eye holes provided at the base of the sheet metal fins and turning over the ends.

A central cavity 11 inches in length is formed within the body to accept a paper cartridge.  The cartridge is separated at the nose end from the dummy fuze head by a 1/8-inch thick felt washer.

The paper cartridge contains a glass ampoule, surrounded by a filling of chalk, the ampoule contains either chlorosulphonic acid or fuming hydrochloric acid.  On impact, the glass ampoule breaks to release its contents from which smoke emits to mark the point of impact.

The four tail fins, comprising two sheets of metal which are slotted and interlocked together, are partly moulded into the concrete at the tail end and are secured by two additional lengths of wire which run laterally through the eye holes and are fastened by twisting the ends of the wire together.

ZC 50 Concrete Practice Bomb Types I and II

Overall Length: 43 and 1/2 inches

Body Length: 27 inches

Body Diameter: 7 and 3/4 inches
Tall Length: 16 inches
Total Weight: 50kg (approx.)


Color: Sand color overall.  Stenciled on body:
-Type I "ehk elo3"
-Type II "ehk all3"


Construction: In Type I the nose, body, and tail cone are formed of fine concrete all in one piece.  The four tail fins of sheet metal are filled to the tail cone when concrete is poured.  On either side of the bomb are two cavities, which are covered by wooden slats.  Cavities contain paper cartridges holding chalk and an ampoule of chlorosulphonic acid or fuming hydrochloric acid.

The Type II is very similar, the differences merely being to allow for the insertion of a tracer candle, in the tail and a charging head for its initiation.

Two steel wires lead from the fuze into the central stiffening tube and thence to a pair of terminal sockets in the tail cone.  The tracer is fired by the terminal sockets on release from the plane and burns for approximately 55 seconds.



Suspension: Vertical or horizontal








PC 1000 RS EX Practice Bomb

Overall Length: 7 feet 2 and 3/4 inches

Body Length: 3 feet 9 inches

Body Diameter: 1 foot 3 and 1/2 inches
Total Weight: 993 kilograms



Color and Markings: Bomb body: reddish brown.  Space, rocket container and tail: mustard.

Markings die stamped:
403
unt 18, 7, 43
403
hh9
43CP03

Stenciled:
scharf
unt 18, 2, 43
499410
PC 1000 RS
EX


Construction: The body of the PC 1000 RS EX is identical in construction to the PC 1000 RS.  In place of the normal explosive charge, the cavity contains sand or some comparable material as a substitute.  The fuzing system consists of the 49 BI EX charging head and the 49 BII EX pyrotechnic fuze for igniting the rocket motor.

There are 19 rockets in the rocket motor.  Six are 22 and 1/2 inches long and have 2 and 15/16 inches diameter; 12 are 20 and 7/8 inches long with a diameter of 2 and 15/16 inches; and 1 is 11 and 1/4 inches long with a diameter of 2 and 15/16 inches.  Total weight of the rocket unit is 263 kilograms.

The tail is 2 feet 4 inches in large diameter and 1 foot 10 inches in small diameter.



Suspension: Horizontal by means of a H-type lug secured to a suspension band.






ZC 250kg Concrete, Practice, Smoke Bomb

Overall Length: 65 inches

Body Length: 49.5 inches

Body Diameter: 14.5 inches
Tall Length: 25 inches
Tail Width: 20 inches
Total Weight: 250 kilograms

Color: Bright green overall



Construction: The body of the bomb is concrete reinforced steel.  Evenly spaced about the body, though staggered, are six cavities, each 13 inches long and 2 and 1/2 inches wide, housing glass ampoules 10 and 1/2 inches long and 1 inch in diameter.  They are enclosed is a protective wrapping of 1/4 inch thick impure chalk retained in a gummed paper wrapping.  The ampoules are retained within their cavities by 1/8 inch thick wood covers, each secured flush with the surface of the bomb body by two screws; the wood protective cover in each case is weakened centrally by a 1/16 inch deep saw-cut.  Each glass ampoule is stated to contain 142 grams of chlorosulphonic acid, containing probably as impurities, small quantities of sulphur and ferrous sulphate; fuming hydrochloric acid is said to be an alternative.  On impact the glass ampoules break to release their contents and smoke arises.  The sheet steel tail has four fins.



Suspension: Horizontal by means of an "eye" bolt.

Next Time: Pyrotechnics (Part 1)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters

German Explosive Ordnance - Miscellaneous Small Bombs (Part 2) and Concrete Bombs (Part 1)

German Explosives

SD 4 HL Hollow Charge Anti Personnel and Vehicle Bomb

Overall length: 12 and 1/3 inches
Body Length: 7 and 3/4 inches
Body Diameter: 3 and 9/16 inches
Wall thickness: 3/8 inch
Tail Length: 5 and 1/8 inches
Tail Width: 3 and 9/10 inches

Filling: TNT; TNT-RDX (46/54)

Weight of filling: 12 ounces
Total Weight: 9 and 1/4 pounds
Charge/Weight Ratio: 8.1%


Color: Buff or fawn color overall.  The marking "SD4HL" is stencilled on the body.  It is presumed the H means Hohl or hollow, and L stands for Ladung or charge.


Construction: The bomb is cast iron and consists of a body into which is screwed the nose cap and the male base plate.  A copper plated steel spring fits into a recess machined in the base plate and bears against a plastic igniter holder containing an electric detonator.  The igniter holder fits over a brown plastic insulating adapter which houses the gaine and has two terminals to which the wire leads of the detonator are connected.  Two electric leads are connected to the terminals and are led along the inside of the body to the nose fuze.

A 32 degree truncated conical-shaped steel liner is flanged at its base, the flange being slotted at three points to accommodate the two electric leads and the locating pin.  The explosive filling is poured through the base of the body around the cone.  A plastic support is secured between the flange of the cone and the nose piece.  Two holes are drilled through this support for the terminal pins of the fuze to which the electric leads are soldered.  The fuze seats on a shoulder in the nose and is secured by a fuze retainer ring which has eight outlet vents.

The tail is sheet steel.  It is of the ring strut type with four longitudinal struts spot welded.  Each strut forms one segment of the tail cone.  The tail is secured to the body by means of four prongs punched into corresponding recesses in the bomb body.

On impact, the (66) fuze induces an electric current which passes via the electric leads to the detonator.  The squib is thereby fired, setting off the gaine and the charge.


Suspension:
74 bombs in AB500-1 container.
40 bombs in AB250 container.
Bombs are packed nose in tail, thus increasing fuze safety.

SD 10A Types I, II, and SD 10FRZ Adapter French Bomb

Overall length: 21.6 inches
Body Length: 12.7 inches
Body Diameter: 3.4 inches
Wall Thickness: 0.6 inches
Tail Length: 8.5 inches
Tail Width: 4.7 inches

Filling: TNT; Amatol 60/40

Color: Body and tail unit are olive green.  Body has D10A13 or 14 stencilled in black on it.  Tail has 4 red stripes down cone between fins.  Type II has 1/2 inch red stripes on outer edge of tail fins.


Construction:
-Type I: The case, parallel-sided, is constructed of cast steel terminating in a shallow dome at the base.  The nose of the bomb, which is thicker, is tapped to accommodate the fuze and has two holes bored transversely for grub screws to secure the fuze.

-Type II: The bomb is constructed with a double casing of drawn steel.  The space between the inner and outer shells is closely packed with steel pellets set in concrete.  The pellets are cubes, having sides of about 7mm.  The overall thickness of the bomb case is about 0.6 inch.  The outer shell is 2mm thick and has a nose piece integral with it.  It is closed at the base by a steel disk over which the shell is folded.  The inner shell is 3mm thick and terminates at the base in the form of a truncated cone.  The two shells are scarf jointed together just behind the nose.  Four steel supports are welded between the inner and outer walls of the nose and act as spacers.


The SD10FRZ French bomb is very similar to the German Type I.  The tail is constructed of four sheet steel pressings welded together, each pressing forming a segment of the tail cone and one fin.  The tail is secured by four rivets and four indentations.

For Types I and II, a long exploder system is used when the filling is TNT.  This consists of a normal gaine; one penthrite pellet, two compressed TNT pellets and one phosphorus pellet.  The main filling terminated about 1.9 inches from the nose and so permits the use of the AZC 10 (Hut) * (3) fuze.  The Z (66) fuze's gaine fits only partly in the exploder pocket.

When the main filling is 60/40 Amatol, a short exploder system is used with a normal gaine and one penthrite pellet.  The bomb is filled to within 1.2 inches of the nose so the AZC 10 (Hut) * (3) fuze cannot be used.


Suspension: Seventeen of these bombs are carried in the AB250-2 container.







SD 10C

Overall length: 20.5 inches
Body Length: 12.2 inches
Body Diameter: 3 inches
Wall Thickness: 0.55 inches
Tail Length: 9.4 inches
Tail Width: 3 inches

Weight of Filling: 0.75 kilograms (approx.)
Total Weight: 7 kilograms (approx.)
Charge/Weight ratio: 11% (approx.)




Color: Khaki overall.  Stenciled on body: SD 10C




Construction: The cast steel body of the bomb is closed at the tail by a sheet steel plate shrunk in position.  Externally the tail end is machined to form a seating for the tail unit.  Nine angular grooves, machined in the body ensure good fragmentation.  The fuze adapter, internally threaded to accept the airflow control ring of the fuze EAZ (66) A, is shrunk into a recess forming in the nose of the bomb body.  The main filling is recessed at the nose end to accommodate a long gaine.

The tail unit, secured to the bomb body by four indentations, is formed of four similar sheet metal pressings riveted together.


Suspension: 28 bombs in the AB250-2 container.






12kg SC 10 Concrete Bomb

Overall length: 23 inches
Body Length: 12.75 inches
Body Diameter: 3.25 inches
Wall thickness: 0.5 inches
Tail Length: 9 inches
Tail Width: 5 inches

Filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.9 kilograms
Total Weight: 12 kilograms (The manual incorrectly states 0.12kg)
Charge/Weight Ratio: 7.5%

Color: The body and tail assembly are painted dark grey.

Construction: There are two types of this bomb: (1) A forged or cast body with base an integral part of the body.  The nose is threaded to receive the fuze; (2) A body consisting of two casings each 0.1 inch thick, welded together, the space between being filled with small steel pellets embedded in concrete.

The tail is of sheet steel.  It has four fins welded to a cone.  The cone is secured to the body by rivets or screws.

Suspension: Vertical in clusters of five.

Remarks: Aside from the fuze, fuze adapter and markings, the SC 10 bomb is the same bomb as the SD 1A

SD 15 Converted German Projectile Bomb

Overall length: 24.2 inches

Body Length: 15.5 inches
Body Diameter: 4.1 inches
Wall thickness: 9/22 in. at nose to 1 in. at base
Tail Length: 12.4 inches
Tail Width: 3.75 inches


Color: Body is dark green with khaki-colored tail.


Construction: The bomb body is a converted 105mm howitzer projectile.  It is formed of a hollow single piece casting, internally threaded at the nose end to accommodate the airflow control ring.  The main filling is shaped at the nose to accommodate an NP 10 German projectile gaine which is enclosed in a cardboard sheath.

The tail unit is of sheet steel and is formed of the tail cone and four fins.  The four fins are braced at their rear ends by a circular stabilizing crimping within an annular groove machined in the bomb body.


Suspension: It is reported that 24 bombs are carried in an AB500-1D container.

Next Time: Concrete Bombs (Part 2)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters

French Explosive Ordnance - Bombs

French Explosive Ordnance

Bombs




Classes

French bombs may be divided into three classes.  The bombs in each class are named according to their weight, approximately in multiples of 10kg. and there follows a designation intended to differentiate several bombs of the weight.  H.E. service bombs are made of steel-hardened, forged, or drawn steel; welded sheet or cast steel.  The bomb fillings are generally as follows:

Hardened steel bombs ----- M Mn
Steel bombs ----- M Dn
Other bombs ----- D D

Fillings

The following fillings are used in French bombs:

M Mn - Trimonite (U.S.A.)
-70% melinite (picric acid)
-30% mononitionapthalene

M Dn or MFDN
-80% melinite
-20% dinitronapthalene

D D - Shellite (British)
-60% melinite
-40 dinitrophenol

Of these, "M Mn" is the most used filling for cast-steel anti-personnel bombs.  The remainder are normally filled with "M Dn", "D D" being confined to certain types which are now considered obsolete.


Flares

Flares are normally used in reconnaissance of targets or landing grounds.  They may be 10 or 30 kilograms in weight and should be used at altitudes between 1,500 and 5,000 feet.  The star burns for four or five minutes.  The smoke bomb produces, on impact, a cloud of smoke which lasts about a minute and indicates the direction of the wind.


Coloring of Bombs

1. Service Bombs
-H.E. bombs ---- Yellow
-H.E. bombs (old pattern) ---- Grey
-Flares ---- Red
-Incendiary 1kg (old pattern) ---- Blue body/Black tail
-Incendiary (new pattern) ---- Red body/Green tail
-Incendiary 10kg ---- Red body/Green tail
-Smoke ---- Black nose/Green body and tail

2. Miscellaneous Bombs
-Practice bombs ---- Yellow, blue band, or unpainted
-Instructional bombs ---- Grey or black/Blue band
-Ballast bombs ---- Grey or black/White band


Markings on French Bombs

Markings indicating manufacture are stamped on the nose of the bomb, either transversely near the nose fuze pocket or in a direction parallel to the axis of the bomb.

On mild or forged steel bombs they indicate the source of the steel, the establishments which have carried out the tempering and the manufacture, a consecutive number, the lot number, and year of manufacture.  The letter "M" shows that the bomb is of rolled steel.

On bombs of cast steel, markings indicate the foundry, the lot number, the year of manufacture, and the mark of the factory.

The nature of the explosive filling is indicated by letters 0.4 inch in height, stamped on the bomb at 0.4 inch from the nose fuze pocket.

The following markings are painted on the bombs.
In black, initials of the firm which carried out the filling, with the month and year of filling e.g. PCFD-7-22

Source and lot number of the explosive filling e.g. SF-514-20

Nature of filling
Lot number and year of filling e.g 4-22

In red, the inscription "F de Culot" on the same side as the other markings, in the case of bombs fuzed in the tail.  In addition, bombs of  100kg and over carry below all other markings a number indicating the exact weight of the bomb, to the nearest kilogram.





French Navy Bombs

Little information has been found on French Navy bombs.  Only the information in the following chart is available, except for the 125kg light case bomb, which is included in the bomb section.








10kg (P.A.) Anti-Personnel Type I and Type II

 Overall length: 21.5 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 3.54 inches
Wall thickness: 0.5 inches
Tail length: 9.3 inches
Tail width: 5.5 inches

Type of filling:
-70% Picric Acid
-30% Mononitronapthalene

Weight of filling: 2.5 pounds
Total weight: 21 pounds

Fuzing: Nose Only
-24/31 Type H, Model 1921 R.S.A.
-24/31 Model 1925 or Model 1928

Color and markings: Overall yellow
Stamped 0.4 in. from nose fuze pocket in letters 0.4 in. in height - nature of filling.


Description: The bomb casings are single-piece steel castings, internally threaded at the nose to accommodate the tapered steel fuze adaptor.  Type II is similar to Type I, with the following exceptions: No struts are fitted to the tail unit, and strengthening is effected by pressing the lateral and longitudinal corrugations in each tail vane.  In Type I, the tail unit is formed of four similar segments riveted together, fitted over the rear of the bomb, and secured by crimping the tail cone into an annular groove out in the bomb body.

10kg (P.) Anti-Personnel Type I and Type II

 Overall length: 21.5 inches

Body length: Unknown

Body diameter: 3.5 inches

Wall thickness: 0.5 inches

Tail length: Unknown

Tail width: Unknown

Fuzing: Nose Only

-24/31 Type H, Model 1921 R.S.A.

-24/31 Model 1925 or Model 1928

Color and markings: Overall yellow

Stamped 0.4 in. from nose fuze pocket in letters 0.5 in. in height - nature of filling.

Description: 

Type I: The bomb body consists of a converted 90mm artillery shell.  A sheet-metal extension fits over the upper end of the body and is secured to it by crimping within two annular grooves machined in the body.  The tail unit is riveted to the upper half of the extension.

Type II: This bomb is similar to Type I, with the following exceptions: No conical extension is fitted, but a tail cone formed of a single-piece casting is fitted over the upper end of the bomb and is secured to it by crimping within a single annular groove.

50kg (A.) and 50kg (G.A.M.Mn.) G.P. H.E.
  

(A)
 Overall length: 39 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 6.15 inches
Wall thickness: 0.69 inches
Tail length: 17 inches
Tail width: 7.85 inches
Type of filling: M.Dn
Weight of filling: 22 pounds
Total weight: 88 pounds

 (G.A.M.Mn)
 Overall length: 46.5 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 7.85 inches
Wall thickness: 0.125 inches
Tail length: Unknown
Tail width: Unknown
Type of filling: M.Mn
Weight of filling: 63 pounds
Total weight: 112 pounds

Fuzing:
(A): Nose - Type H Model 1921; Tail: 3B15
(G.A.M.Mn): Tail: M. No.2

Color and markings: Overall yellow
Painted on bomb case - Type of filling and "F de Culot" if tail-fuzed only.


Description:
(A): The body of this bomb is a single-piece steel forging made from a rejected 155mm artillery shell.

(G.A.M.Mn): This bomb is made of sheet steel; it has either a longitudinal or a circumferential weld.

50kg (D.T. No.1, No.2, and No.3) G.P. H.E.

   
(No.1)
 Overall length: 46.5 inches
Body diameter: 8.25 inches
Wall thickness: 0.375 inches
Tail length: Unknown
Tail width: Unknown
Type of filling: M.Dn or D D
Weight of filling: 44 pounds
Total weight: 123 pounds

 (No.2)
Overall length: 46.5 inches
Body diameter: 7.7 inches
Wall thickness: Unknown
Tail length: 21 inches
Tail width: 10.2 inches
Type of filling: M.Dn or D D
Weight of filling: 42 pounds
Total weight: 123 pounds

 (No.3)
Overall length: 46.5 inches
Body diameter: 7.86 inches
Wall thickness: Unknown
Tail length: Unknown
Tail width: Unknown
Type of filling: M.Dn or D D
Weight of filling: 44 pounds
Total weight: 123 pounds

Fuzing:
No.1 and No.3: Tail only - 3B15

No.2: Nose - Type H Model 1921 R.S.A., Model 1925, or Model 1928.
Tail - Sch.R. Model 1938

Color and markings: Overall yellow
Painted on body - Type of filling, source, year of manufacture, etc.


Description: These bombs are single-piece forgings; No.1 made from converted 220mm artillery shells, No.3 from converted hydrogen cylinder; both made obsolete by the French.  The tail consists of four vanes fastened to teh tail cone, strengthened between the vanes by sheet metal struts.

100kg and 200kg G.P. H.E.
  

100kg
 Overall length: 56 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 10.8 inches
Wall thickness: 0.44 inches
Tail length: 18.9 inches
Tail width: 10.2 inches
Type of filling: M.Dn or D D
Total weight: 258 pounds

 200kg
Overall length: 62 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 14.5 inches
Wall thickness: 0.41 inches
Tail length: 27.25 inches
Tail width: 11.5 inches
Type of filling: M.Dn or D D
Total weight: 503 pounds

Fuzing:
Nose - A modified R.S.A. 30/45 Model 1930
Tail - 3B15 (100kg only) Sch. R. Model 1938

Color and markings: Overall yellow
Painted on body - Type of filling, source, etc. and "F de Culot" if tail-fuzed only.


Description: These bombs have a forged steel case.  The tail assembly consists of four vanes attached to the tail con and reinforced by struts made of strip steel.

500kg (Model 1930, No.1, and No.2) G.P. H.E.
   

Model 1930
 Overall length: 81 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 19.3 inches
Wall thickness: 0.56 inches
Tail length: 34.2 inches
Tail width: 27.2 inches
Type of filling: M.Dn or D D
Weight of filling: 600 pounds
Total weight: 1285 pounds

 No.1
Overall length: 83 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 21.4 inches
Wall thickness: 0.44 inches
Tail length: Unknown
Tail width: Unknown
Type of filling: M.Dn or D D
Weight of filling: 662 pounds
Total weight: 1182 pounds

No.2
Overall length: 79 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 19.6 inches
Wall thickness: 0.625 inches
Tail length: Unknown
Tail width: Unknown
Type of filling: M.Dn or D D
Weight of filling: 595 pounds
Total weight: 1148 pounds

Fuzing:
Nose - A modified R.S.A. Mod. 1930 (except 500kg Model 1930)

Tail - 3B15 Sch. R. 1938 (500kg Model 1930 only)

Color and markings: Overall yellow
Painted on body - Type of filling, source, etc.


Description:
Model 1930: Bomb case is made of a single-piece steel forging.

No.1: This bomb is made of three sheet-steel sections welded together, presumably circumferentially.

No.2: The bomb case is made of a single-piece steel forging.

The tail assembly of these bombs consists of a tail cone with four vanes attached.

  

125kg G.P. H.E. (Naval)
  

 Overall length (w/o fuze): 61.5 inches
Body length: 36 inches
Body diameter: 12.2 inches
Wall thickness: 0.25 inches
Tail length: 26.8 inches
Tail width: 12 inches
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: Unknown
Total weight: 125 kilograms (approx.)

Fuzing:
Nose: Type A
Tail: No.8

Color and markings: Unknown


Description: This bomb is light cased.  The tail assembly is secured to the bomb body by four clamping bolts which are received by four lugs on the body.  The tail unit has corrugate stiffening plates for strengthening.

40kg Fragmentation Bomb
   

 Overall length: 35.75 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 6.25 inches
Wall thickness: Unknown
Tail length: 16.75 inches
Tail width: 7.75 inches
Type of filling: Unknown
Weight of filling: Unknown
Total weight: Unknown

Fuzing:
Nose: No.3
Tail: Unknown

Color and markings: Unknown


Description: This bomb is a converted artillery shell.  The tail unit is the cross-blade type, with the blade joined near the end of the bomb by a narrow strengthening band.

1kg Incendiaries Type A and Type B
   

 Type A
Overall length: 14.5 inches
Body length: 9 inches
Wall thickness: 0.35 inches
Tail length: 4.75 inches
Tail width: 2 inches
Type of filling: Thermite
Total weight: 1 kilogram

Type B
Overall length: 14.5 inches
Body length: Unknown
Wall thickness: 0.35 inches
Tail length: Unknown
Tail width: 2 inches
Type of filling: Thermite
Total weight: 1 kilogram

Fuzing:
Nose only - Fuzes for 1kg Incendiaries

Color and markings:
Type A: Blue body and Black tail
Type B: Red or Blue body and Green or Black tail


Description:
The bomb bodies are cylindrical castings of magnesium alloy, with the nose internally threaded to take a nose fuze.  Toward the nose, the bomb casing is perforated by two small vents, plugged with wax.  The bombs differ in tail assemblies, with Type A consisting of three sheet-metal banes supported at the ends by a circular ting and Type B consisting of a cast-alloy tail cone and eight vanes.

10kg (Model 1927) Incendiary
   

Overall length: 22.1 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 3.54 inches
Wall thickness: Unknown
Tail length: 10.2 inches
Tail width: 5.5 inches
Type of filling: Thermite
Total weight: 1 kilogram

Fuzing:
Nose only - Fuzes for 1kg Incendiaries

Color and markings:
Type A: Blue body and Black tail
Type B: Red or Blue body and Green or Black tail


Description:

The bomb bodies are cylindrical castings of magnesium alloy, with the nose internally threaded to take a nose fuze.  Toward the nose, the bomb casing is perforated by two small vents, plugged with wax.  The bombs differ in tail assemblies, with Type A consisting of three sheet-metal banes supported at the ends by a circular ting and Type B consisting of a cast-alloy tail cone and eight vanes.

10kg Parachute Flares Old Type (A) and New Type (B)
  

  

 Type A
Overall length: Unknown (Book states Type A 10kg)
Body length: 45.3 inches
Body diameter: 4.4 inches
Wall thickness: Unknown
Tail length: Unknown
Tail width: Unknown
Type of filling: Star Composition
Weight of filling: 8 kilograms
Total weight: 13 kilograms

Fuzing:
Type A: Nose only - Time Fuze V.M.
Type B: Nose only - Time Fuze Model 1930

Color and markings:
Type A: Red overall
Type B: White overall; three grey stars painted near the head of the flare.


Description: These types of flares are very similar.  They come in weights of 10, 15, 30, and 50 kg.  The Type A is the older type and B is the newer.

Type A: The 10kg flare of this type has a body of sheet iron, tin plated.  When the fuze functions, it ignites the powder charge and this, in turn, ignites the flare composition.  At the same time the gas caused by the combustion of the powder creates sufficient pressure to eject the star and parachute through the tail of the flare, the cup of which is lightly attached to the body.

Type B: The newer type of flare is made of aluminum.  The tail cover is attached to the body by a lead strip running around the joint between the body and the tail.  The expulsion of the stars and parachute is accomplished in the same manner as in the Type A.  The head of the flare contains a ballast, as well as the powder charge which ignites and expels the contents of the flare.  The ignition of the large star is caused by the safety fuzes.  When the parachute opens, the six small stars hang around the large star.

Smoke Bomb
   

Overall length: 9.45 inches
Body length: Unknown
Body diameter: 2.75 inches
Tail length: 4.25 inches
Tail width: 3.15 inches
Type of filling: Titanium Tetrachloride
Bottle content: 100 cc

Fuzing: None

Color and markings: Green body and tail, Black nose.


Description: The casing is sheet aluminum, with the head pressed separately and soldered in several places to the body.  A glass container fits within the casing, protected from breakage by cork at the tail, felt washers along the side of the casing, and a collar supported on a helical spring at the nose.  A U-shaped safety pin holds the collar in position.  On release, the safety pin is pulled, freeing the bottle in the case.  On impact, the bottle moves forward against a spring onto four cutters in the nose of the body.

Next Time: French Mines and Traps