Weapon Training: Bombing Safety

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN RELEASING BOMBS

To safeguard the airplane and occupants from possible premature detonation of bombs caused by one bomb striking the fuse of another, observe the following precautions:

1. Don't release bombs containing fuses other than types M103, M110, and M106 in "SALVO" when in the "ARMED" condition.

2. Keep bomb release handle (type L-21A or other types that may be employed) in "SAFE" position at all times while in flight excepting the actual time of approach and bombing of target.

The recently developed fuses have a long arming delay feature which provides arming times and corresponding distances the bomb will fall, as follows:

The long arming delay feature of the M103, M110, and M106 fuses affords adequate safety only within the fall distances and functioning time shown. Detonation of the bomb may occur as a result of one bomb striking the fuse of another at distances greater than those fisted below.

"SALVO" Release

Since "SALVO" release is an inaccurate and undesirable method of releasing bombs and is provided in airplanes only for emergency use, the existent danger, though slight, does not justify indiscriminate dropping of bombs in "SALVO" and "ARMED." Therefore, salvo-armed release may be used at the airplane commander's discretion for bombs with types M103, M110, and M106 fuses only when no other system is possible.

REFERENCE: Technical Order 11-26-3. (USAAF)

MINIMUM ALTITUDE OF RELEASE A N D PREARMING OF FUSES

The safe dropping altitudes shown in chart on the following page are known to safeguard both airplane and personnel from exploding bombs. Use them in all practice bombing.

On combat missions there is no definite line between safe and dangerous operation. Bombing from lower altitudes within the danger zone is justified only when great tactical advantage is gained.

Arming of Fuses

Bomb fuses are armed by a rotating arming vane which is turned by air in the manner of a propeller. Therefore, a certain distance of air travel is required to turn the arming vane the preset number of revolutions necessary to arm the fuse.

Normal arming of bomb fuses, M103 (nose), and M100, M101, M102, M100A1, M101A1, M102A1, AN-M10OA1, AN-M101A1, AN-M102A1 (tail), requires from 1,000 to 3,500 feet of air travel. Dive bombing and low altitude bombing over water have produced bomb failures because the bomb fuses were not completely armed at time of impact. When used for low altitude water impact bombing, the above fuses will be partially armed only before dropping.

Soft, normal, or frozen ground, water, and oother objects which bombs can be expected to pierce will be considered as penetrable targets. Concrete roadways, concrete bridges, very rocky terrain, and similar objects will be considered as impenetrable targets. For mast head bombing at the altitude shown, impact upon the target must be obtained during the first bounce of ricochet flight.

Dive Bombing

For safety from bomb fragments in dive bombing, the altitude of release must be considerably greater than that required in horizontal bombing because of the altitude lost in pull-out. Therefore, in dive bombing, release bombs at an altitude great enough that the airplane will not pass below the applicable altitude listed in table during pull-out.

SAFE ALTITUDES OF RELEASE FOR HORIZONTAL BOMBING

*Distance of fall required to stabilize bombs. Lower altitude may be used if necessary but will cause an increasing number of duds.

PIF 7-2-2 -MAY 1, 1943- (USAAF)