TYPES OF FIRE BOMB

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 89, 9 January 1942, Page 6

TYPES OF FIRE BOMB

Use By Belligerents CONTROLLER’S COMMENT

“All belligerents .are using the electron, bomb as the main incendiary attack. The other bojnbs are largely improvisations. We are still satisfied that the brigade equipment available can deal with all types of bombs, though I do not say that the first aid equipment will,” commented Mr. R. Girling-Butcher, Dominion Fire Controller, yesterday in commenting upon the position with regard to incendiary bombs other than the maguesiumthermite type. “Every trailer pump is supplied with a fog nozzle for dealing with oil Fires,” he added. “This functions as an atomized water spray. Tests carried out show that two of these will put out burning oil in a pit twenty feet in diameter. As far as my information goes, phosphorous bombs are mainly used for smoke work, and I very much doubt if any belligerents use them for incendiary purposes. I have no record of any sodium bombs being used. “The position with regard to other types of bomb'than the magnesiumthermite is being investigated, and measures will be taken to meet the. situation as it is determined what types are b.eing used. Bombs used in the tests at the Wellington Central Fire Station were taken from a sealed container of 20 standard bombs as dropped from British planes. The only difference made in their actual use was that they were fired from a vent in the side instead of by the cap which functions on being dropped. Demonstration bombs which have been referred to are simply fireworks which give the same appearance as burning bombs, but are intended simply for testing the efficiency of the E.P.S. in an emergency. "The conference of Dominion fire brigade superintendents definitely decided that sand should not be disregarded,. but declared a standard 201 b. hessian bag as most convenient for women and children to handle.” Mr. Butcher said <that as the question had been raised as to whether there was any variation between, the English and the German magnesiumthermite bombs, analytical tests had been made of their composition. These showed only minor differences, due to a slight modification of the form of the electron metal in each case. Fire brigade superintendents who have been attending the conference held in Wellington have each taken away a number of bombs for testing in all vulnerable areas, and a distribution is being-made to the Wellington E.P.S;