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  #1  
Old 19th April 2017, 13:53
captain_M captain_M is offline
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4000lb bomb

Hello everyone
I’m interested in knowing what happened to unexploded bombs found inside crashed allied bombers. An aircraft I’m researching crashed relatively near to a Luftwaffe airfield (Langendiebach Hanau) in early January 1945. According to the skipper, the wreckage still contained a 4000lb bomb, four 1000lb bombs and multiple target indicators.
Did the Luftwaffe have a separate division for handling/deactivating/storing these enormous bomb loads? Are there any sources of Luftwaffe documentation relating to bomb retrieval?
Many thanks in advance for any pointers.
Neil
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Old 19th April 2017, 20:16
edwest2 edwest2 is offline
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Re: 4000lb bomb

First, actual documents are hard to find. The organization of bomb disposal units was complex and changed as the war progressed. Later in the war, the Americans had added time-delay fuses to their bombs along with a motion detonator which would go into operation if the bomb was moved/rolled. However, like hand grenades, American bombs had pins in them that had to be removed before the actual drop. No sense in crashing without the pins still in the bombs.

Examine the following, especially the last two blocks (scroll down):


http://www.bombfuzecollectorsnet.com/page22.htm



Ed
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Old 19th April 2017, 20:20
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Snautzer Snautzer is offline
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Re: 4000lb bomb

I have a german wartime manual for defusing allied bombs.
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Old 19th April 2017, 20:24
edwest2 edwest2 is offline
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Re: 4000lb bomb

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snautzer View Post
I have a german wartime manual for defusing allied bombs.

Can you provide the title? I have also heard of a late-war bomb disposal manual used by the British for deactivating very large German bombs.




Ed
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Old 19th April 2017, 20:38
edwest2 edwest2 is offline
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Re: 4000lb bomb

Here is a book that appears to be relevant:


https://www.amazon.com/Sprengkommand.../dp/3879437173


And since no description was given, a look inside from another forum:

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/thread...prengkommandos


It is interesting to see a British rolling water bomb on land.





Usual disclaimer,
Ed
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Old 20th April 2017, 00:04
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Re: 4000lb bomb

hwre is is

.

Last edited by Snautzer; 9th September 2017 at 22:49.
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Old 20th April 2017, 00:49
edwest2 edwest2 is offline
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Re: 4000lb bomb

Thank you, Snautzer.





Ed
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Old 20th April 2017, 09:33
captain_M captain_M is offline
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Re: 4000lb bomb

Cheers guys for the pictures and links. Lots to keep me going.
Many thanks
NM
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Old 20th April 2017, 16:00
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Re: 4000lb bomb

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Originally Posted by edwest2 View Post
Thank you, Snautzer.





Ed
I can mail it to you,
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Old 20th April 2017, 18:10
edwest2 edwest2 is offline
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Re: 4000lb bomb

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Originally Posted by Snautzer View Post
I can mail it to you,


That's OK. I do appreciate the offer.




Ed
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