'PLANES TO LAY MINES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 2 March 1939, Page 12

'PLANES TO LAY MINES

GERMANY REVEALS NEW WEAPONS 43-KNOT AERIAL TORPEDOES i I Details of new naval weapons, the existence of which has hitherto been unknown outside Service circles, are disclosed in the 1939 edition of “Nauticus.” the German Admiralty’s official annual. It is revealed that certain types of aircraft are fitted for minelaying. The mines are dropped into the sea by airplanes from low altitudes, but certain seaplanes are equipped for sowing mines after they have alighted on the surface That aircraft for laying mines had been developed by certain foreign naviewas known in British Service quarters, bqt this is the first time they have been publicly mentioned. These weapons are hel4 to constitute a formidable menace both to warships proceeding in formation and to merchantmen in convoy. Particulars are also given of the torpedoes used by torpedo-carrying 'planes. Two types are in service, one of 16in and the other of 17.7in diameter. The former is charged with 3301 b of T.N.T., and the latter with 3961 b of the new explosive Novit. Both are dropped into the water from heights between 20ft and 49ft, the range in both cases being about 2200 yards at a speed of 45 knots. ZIG-ZAG COURSES In all modern torpedoes, it is added, the gyroscope gear can be so adjusted as to make them run either on a straight, zig-zag or spiral course. The latest type of deptn charge for use against submarines weighs 4001 b. and is loaded with 2971 b of T.N.T. It can be set to explode at any depth between 49 and 460 feet, and the danger zone to a submarine extends to about 65ft. Depth charges can be thrown a ditsance of 262 ft by the modern pro jector. Five separate types of aircraft bombs are listed as having been evolved for use at sea. The smallest is the '‘splinter bomb.” weighing 2411 b, and designed to inflict casualties on exposed personnel. High-explosive bombs for attacking unprotected parts of a ship vary in weight from 110 to 11001 b. and contain from 44 to 6621 b of T.N.T. There are also armour-piercing bombs of different weights for penetrating the armour decks of warships; gas and phosphor bombs of 33 to 551 b for use against personnel; and bc—’;s for attacking submarines. The last named weigh 1101 b and have a delayed-action fuse set to detonate the bombs at a depth of 50ft.