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Aviation History
1946
1946 - 1045.PDF
MAY 30TH, 1946 FLIGHT 537 Veep'penetration Trials by R.A.F. and A.A.F. ; B'29s and Lancasters Co-operate on "Project Ruby BOMBS CONCRETE One of the specially modified Lancasters of No. 15 Squadron now cperating against the U-boat pens at Falrge.22,000 lb bomb has no doors but is faired fore and aft. Only the tail turret is retained^ SUCCESSES achieved by the R.A.F. with heavy bombsdesigned for deep penetration are already history.Bridges, tunnels, V-weapon sites, canals, dams, capital ships, U-boat and E-boat pens all came under attack with those peculiarly British weapons '' Tallboy '' and '' Grand Slam" and the course of the war was tangibly altered by their effect, but when targets were examined and results assessed, the R.A.F. was disappointed and frankly a little mystified by the behaviour' of their heavyweights on impact with thick concrete. Penetration in many cases was not effected, but whether due to the break- ing-up of the bomb case or to over-sensitivity of the explosive filling, causing detonation on impact despite delay fusing, could not immediately be established. U.S. Army Ordnance ex- perts were similarly baffled and, as in the resolution of other common difficulties, it was agreed to study the problem jointly. Organiza- tion and co-ordination were vested in R.A.F. Bomber ommand, and each country undertook to pro- vide suitable aircraft, bombs and facilities. Although small U.S. bomber forces remained in England it was necessary in March this year to form at Eglin Field, U.S.A., a special force com- prising three B-29 Super- fortresses, seven B-17 Fortresses, three C-54 Sky- masters and 160 officers and men. Under the code name "Ruby," and with Lt. Col. D. G. Hawes in command, the formation was drafted to the R.A.F. Central A TEN-TON BOMB dropped from 40,000ft would penetrate ^ l3Ofc in soil. The resistance of only 50ft of soil is equivalent to cbout 8ft of concrete or 5 inches of armour. Bomber Establishment, Marham, to join 15 Squadron, R.A.F., equipped with specially modified Lancasters. A bombing programme was initiated against the uncom- pleted U-boat pens at Farge, near Bremen, and other heavily protected targets, and about 140 sorties have already been flown. Previously the R.A.F. had used the V-weapon site at Watten for penetration tests, but the good people of France, having by that time received their quota of bombs, justly protested. In any case, the Watten structure was barely thick enough to offer the required resistance. The Farge U-boat pens, now occupied by an R.A.F. detachment, were nevei •>ised during the war and are of a particularly modern type of construction. The main structure is 1,320ft long, 300ft wide, 75ft high, has 14ft walls and a roof which varies in thickness between 15 and 23ft. The constructional material is concrete, with massive steel reinforcing frames, and the only damage resulting from R.A.F. attacks during the war was two small holes in the roof made by 22,000- pounders. The Lancasters of No. 15 Squadron are now attacking with the latest types of British deep-penetration bombs, mainly 12,000- and 22,000-pounders, in various combinations of height, fusing and filling. The trials are designed not only to determine whether the British and American expertsassess the limited damage to the Farge U-boat pens result-ing from two " Grand Slam " hits. u
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