MIGHTY BOMB

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 245, 16 October 1944, Page 5

MIGHTY BOMB

EARTHQUAKE TYPE

Capable Of Deep Penetration Before Explosion

Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY Oct. 15 RAF Bomber Command in tne nasi few months has been using an Srely new type of .12 0001b bomb The most remarkable thing about this "earthquake" bomb _is that it combines great penetrating power with great blast effect. No other bomb g used in this war has these two advantages, says the Air Minis12,0001b bomb, the "factory buster," detonated on the surface and destroyed its target by blast alone, but the new bomb is the first to be thoroughly streamiru'penetrates far into the earth, developing a terminal velocity even when dropped from a moderate height, considerably higher 'than that of any other bomb. A delayed action fuse is fitted, and a thicker casing is used, so that the bomb does not go off until it is right inside or under the target. It contains the heaviest possible charge of a very powerful explosive. In the recent attacks on the submarine pens at Brest, four of these bombs drilled through the 12ft thick concrete roofs of the shelters a£d exploded inside. They have been used mainly against the more formidable of the long - range weapons sites, U-boat pens and similar targets. The German battleship Tirpitz was hit by one of the new bombs, and is now known to be out of the war until major repairs can be effected. They were also used in the attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal and more recently on the sea wall at Walcheren Island and the Kembs Dams. The new bomb is undoubtedly the most destructive air weapon ever used.