416th BG Op Report - Form 34A - Bombs and ammo quuestion

[Leendert]

A 416th BG Operations Report (as an example the one of 28 May 1944 to Bruges/St. Michiels) says under Letter F.:

(i) A-20G's 144 x 500 lb GP 1/10 N, 1/40 T
A-20J's 24 x 500 lb GP 1/10 N, 1/40 T
(ii) A-20G's 141 x 500 lb GP
A-20J's 24 x 500 lb GP
(iii) A-20G 1 x 500 lb GP
(iv) None.
A-20G 1 x 500 lb GP delayed release - cause undetermined
A-20G 1 x 500 lb GP returned to base - arming wire held release
breaker open.

Item i is bombs carried. What is 1/10 N and 1/40 T? Detonation settings?

Item ii bombs released on target

Item iii = ?

Item iv: "None" here means? With the two bombs not on target (one delayed and one returned), then the third "missing" bomb (144 - 141 for the A-20G) must be item iii?

Thanks for all info!

Regards,

Leendert

[RSwank]

"What is 1/10 N and 1/40 T? Detonation settings?"

1/10 N is a 1/10 second delay setting for the nose fuse.
1/40 T is a 1/40 second delay setting for the tail fuse. The bombs had two fuses, one in the nose and one in the tail.

The delay settings would be chosen depending on the type of target. For example, was the bomb suppose to crash through the roof of a multistory building and then explode deep inside or was it to strike a bridge and explode instantaneously (no delay at all).

[RSwank]

There is a form 34A here (may have a missing second page) as the letter sequence jumps from B-8 on the bottom of page 1 to D on the top of the "next" page.

https://rgprucha.com/prucha_brennan/..._355_92013.pdf

At any rate, I think the bomb information is in letter section F. (The form may have evolved slightly over time.)

I think the (implied) items being asked are meant to go something like this. They would distinguish a "Jettison" (a bomb deliberately dropped unarmed and not on the target) vs a "delayed release" (a live bomb "released" on the the target but hung up momentarily, so missed the target).


I Total Bombs Carried with fusing info:
A-20G's 144 x 500 lb GP 1/10 N, 1/40 T
A-20J's 24 x 500 lb GP 1/10 N, 1/40 T
II Bombs Expended on operations (list targets separately):
A-20G's 141 x 500 lb GP
A-20J's 24 x 500 lb GP
III /Bombs Jettisoned
A-20G 1 x 500 lb GP

IV Bombs Lost or Wrecked on missing A/C
None
V Other Losses (Explain):
A-20G 1 x 500 lb GP delayed release - cause undetermined

VI Bombs Returned
A-20G 1 x 500 lb GP returned to base - arming wire held release
breaker open.

[Leendert]

Thanks, Rolland. Now with "vi" items on the March 1945 report, the "iv" items in May 1944 can indeed be better understood.

Regards, Leendert