Self-destruction device on He111 & Ju88

[edwest2]

I am copying an earlier reply here:


In September 1940, the Luftwaffe issued a service regulation covering this subject, namely:

• D.(Luft) 4601: "Beschreibung und Bedienungsvorschrift für die Vernichtungsmittel von Landflugzeugen bei Notlandung auf Feindgebiet."

It's an illustrated, 12-page manual describing the equipment and procedures for destroying an aircraft forced down in enemy territory. This was done using either the Sprengbüchse 24 or geballte Ladung, together with a 2m-long fuse that provided a delay of 1.5 to 3.5 minutes.

Dimensions and weights:
- Sprengbüchse 24: 74 x 54 x 197 mm : 1.3 kg : 1 kg TNT
- geballte Ladung: 162 x 74 x 197 mm : 3.8 kg : 3 kg TNT

There's no mention of specific aircraft types. To avoid the possibility of sabotage, the fuse was to be taken along only on combat flights, and then removed from the aircraft after each mission.


FYI, for a listing of all Luftwaffen-Dienstvorschriften, visit this site:http://www.superborg.com. You'll see D.(Luft) 4601 listed on the following page: http://www.superborg.com/dluft4400.htm

Hope that helps,
Leon Venter