Parachute mines

[Observer1940]

I believe what the thread is referring to here is known as an "Aerial Mine".

As aircraft were approaching at a given height, our aircraft would attempt to release these aerial mines above and across in front of the approaching aircraft (released in a row).

The parachute would hold suspended, quite a length of cable and at the bottom of the cable would be the mine or bomb.

The idea is that an aircraft wing might strike one of the cables and draw the bomb up, as the cable above the wing with parachute was pulled behind the aircraft.

If hitting the cable and dragging the parachute behind was not enough to damage or down the aircraft, then they hoped the mine which was impact fused / impact time fused to blow near the aircraft would damage the aircraft.

In reality they actually caused more damage where they fell and therefore could only be released over the English Channel or Sea areas. I understand they were discontinued in WW2 for this purpose, as it was difficult to get in position in time to sow them, or to time their release height / distance, across the approaching aircraft. They fell too short, or had fallen out of the way, or the approaching aircraft flew between them.