WIX Archives
Re: German recovery site
Posted by Tony on Tue Oct 08, 2002 07:39:47 AM
In reply top Re: German recovery site posted by Cees Broere on Tue Oct 08, 2002 06:23:15 AM
Depends on the load , and the Bomber Cees...
Crews were reluctant to arm the bombs, especially cookies with all the lead flying about in the flak belt, till the last possible moment, normally just before final IP. I know this happened, especially with targets further than the Ruhr. I think you'll find that most arming over Holland, was for targets in the Rhur industrial basin. On a trip to Berlin, I'd expect the arming to be happening in the Madeburg/Berlin outer ring area.But then again, I'll stand contradiction on that.
The other concern of course, is if a bomber crashes with it's full load aboard, then shockloading could well arm some of the weapons. The other concerns, are degredation of fuzing devices after 60 years in the water, and the fact there is an awful lot of TNT in an area, which may be developed now.
I find it strange too,that a crew would ride the bomber all the way down, with a fuzed load on board, I bloody wouldn't. But then again, if the other option is a silk descent into a firestorm, then I guess I'd take my chances with the ditching, especially if I had managed to JETTISON the load.
Does anyone know where the story of the full bombload came from? Does anyone actually know which Halibag this is?
Tony :0)