Parachute mine
Encyclopedia
A parachute mine is a parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...

 naval mine
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...

 dropped from an aircraft. They were mostly used in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 by the Luftwaffe
History of the Luftwaffe during World War II
The German Luftwaffe was one of the strongest, most doctrinally advanced, and most battle-experienced air forces in the world when World War II started in Europe in September 1939. Officially unveiled in 1935, in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, its purpose was to support Adolf Hitler's...

 and initially by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...

 (RAF) Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...

.

Blast effects

These mines were attached to parachutes to act as blast bombs; when detonated at roof level rather than on impact the aerodynamic effects of their blast were maximised. Instead of the shock waves from the explosion being cushioned by surrounding buildings, they could reach a wider area, with the potential to destroy a whole street of houses in a 100 m (328.1 ft), with windows being blown in up to 1.6 km (0.994196378639691 mi) away.

Luftwaffe

In 1940 and 1941 the Luftwaffe used parachute mines against British targets. Originally meant for use as magnetically-triggered sea mines, their German designations were Luftmine A (LMA) and Luftmine B (LMB) and they were 500 kg (1,102.3 lb) and 1000 kg (2,204.6 lb) respectively. The LMA was 5 inch in length and the LMB 8 inch. When used as parachute mines they were triggered by a clockwork fuse
Fuze
Fuze Beverage, commercially referred to as just Fuze , is a manufacturer of teas and non-carbonated fruit drinks enriched with vitamins. Currently the brand consists of five vitamin-infused lines: Slenderize, Refresh, Tea, Defensify, and Vitalize...

 mechanism.

They were first used against land targets on 16 September 1940 in the early stages of the Blitz
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...

. A single mine could kill 100 people.

The Luftwaffe also used the 1000 kg (2,204.6 lb) Bombenmine (BM 1000, Monika, or G Mine). This was fitted with a tail made from Bakelite which broke up on impact. It had a photoelectric cell beneath a cover which detonated the bomb if exposed to light to counteract the work of bomb disposal units.

RAF

The RAF initially used naval mines, but replaced them with purpose-made Blockbuster bomb
Blockbuster bomb
Blockbuster or "cookie" was the name given to several of the largest conventional bombs used in World War II by the Royal Air Force...

s, which were produced in various sizes up to 12000 pounds (5,443.1 kg).

Notable people killed by parachute mines

  • Al Bowlly
    Al Bowlly
    Albert Allick Bowlly was a Southern-African singer, songwriter, composer and band leader, who became a popular Jazz crooner during the 1930s in the United Kingdom and later, in the United States of America. He recorded more than 1,000 records between 1927 and 1941...

     was killed by a parachute mine outside his flat in Jermyn Street, London during the Blitz
    The Blitz
    The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...

     on 17 April 1941

  • Walter George French killed by a parachute mine 29 December 1940 London

See also

  • Blockbuster bomb
    Blockbuster bomb
    Blockbuster or "cookie" was the name given to several of the largest conventional bombs used in World War II by the Royal Air Force...

    - similar weapon used by the RAF with a higher explosive, but equally devastating effect.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK