Chain bombs

[robinbird]

Chain bombs were tested by the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment during 1941. 100lb bombs were linked by chains so as to wrap around a submarine. Test pilots expressed concern about possible hang ups during a drop. Were chain bombs used operationally?

 

[sferrin]

"Chain bombs" sounds like something from the old game "Scorch".

 

[riggerrob]

This reminds us of the chain-shot used during sailing-ship days. The goal was to cut up the enemy's sails and ropes with a fast-moving chain connecting two half-spheres. chain-shot was only used a little.

 

[TinWing]

This reminds us of the chain-shot used during sailing-ship days. The goal was to cut up the enemy's sails and ropes with a fast-moving chain connecting two half-spheres. chain-shot was only used a little.

If one canon misfired, the chain would very obviously swing around to the detriment of the firing ship.

 

[1635yankee]

This reminds us of the chain-shot used during sailing-ship days. The goal was to cut up the enemy's sails and ropes with a fast-moving chain connecting two half-spheres. chain-shot was only used a little.

If one canon misfired, the chain would very obviously swing around to the detriment of the firing ship.

Chain shot was loaded into a single gun, in the same way as bar shot or grape

 

[EwenS]

Chain bombs were tested by the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment during 1941. 100lb bombs were linked by chains so as to wrap around a submarine. Test pilots expressed concern about possible hang ups during a drop. Were chain bombs used operationally?

I’ve never heard of it before. But looking at the timeframe it sounds like an attempt to make the pre-war 100lb AS bomb more effective. As an anti submarine weapon it proved next to useless.

1941 saw the introduction of a version of the naval Mk.VII depth charge for airborne use and development of the 250lb Mk.VIII Airborne Depth Charge which entered service in 1942.

ASW Weapons of the United Kingdom / Britain - NavWeaps

www.navweaps.com

 

[robinbird]

MAEE was soon testing a 600lb anti submarine bomb as more U-Boats stayed surfaced to 'fight it out.'

 

[Dilandu]

Japanese tested a slightly similar concept, of two bombs with electric fuzes, linked by cable. The idea was, that when first bomb hit the ground & detonate, the second one (still in air) would explode too, thus maximizing the blast wave effect on the ground below. Never used operationally, if I'm not mistaken.