Barnes Wallace

[jimbotosome]

Most of you know Barnes Wallace from his design of the Dam skipbomb. But far and away his Earthquake bomb was one of the most incredible weapons every developed. This bomb was used to destroy sub pens which were impervious to most bombs. The idea was to delay its explosion until it was deep in the ground and have it explode in horizontal directions. It didn't need to hit its target, just near it. It would cause the earth near it move like an earthquake and can also be measured on the Richter scale. As it blows to the side it moves the earth under buildings which collapse. Bielefeld railway viaduct which had not fallen even after 30 tons of bombs dropped on it, one of these bombs detonated underground and took out two sections of the bridge. Wallace was a genius every bit as sharp as any the Germans had coming up with their "wonder weapons". Quite a remarkable man.

The bomb weighted 11 tons and was dropped from 40000 feet so it would reach terminal velocity. What’s really strange is that he was not an ordinance engineer but rather and aeronautical engineer. Amazing what men can come up with when their freedom is on the line.

[spidge]

(jimbotosome @ Dec 18 2005, 03:51 PM) [post=43298]Most of you know Barnes Wallace from his design of the Dam skipbomb. But far and away his Earthquake bomb was one of the most incredible weapons every developed. This bomb was used to destroy sub pens which were impervious to most bombs. The idea was to delay its explosion until it was deep in the ground and have it explode in horizontal directions. It didn't need to hit its target, just near it. It would cause the earth near it move like an earthquake and can also be measured on the Richter scale. As it blows to the side it moves the earth under buildings which collapse. Bielefeld railway viaduct which had not fallen even after 30 tons of bombs dropped on it, one of these bombs detonated underground and took out two sections of the bridge. Wallace was a genius every bit as sharp as any the Germans had coming up with their "wonder weapons". Quite a remarkable man.

The bomb weighted 11 tons and was dropped from 40000 feet so it would reach terminal velocity. What’s really strange is that he was not an ordinance engineer but rather and aeronautical engineer. Amazing what men can come up with when their freedom is on the line.
[/b]

Fact or Myth from the movie "The Dambusters" (As I remember it...maybe not exact wording)

When Barnes Wallace presented his bouncing bomb invention he wanted a Wellington bomber to test it. They are as scarce as hens teeth was the reply. The public servant in the ministry asked "what possible reason could I give to get you a Wellington bomber".

You could tell them that I designed it!

Anybody know? Fact or Mtyh.

[angie999]

Probably myth, Spidge. The story of the development of the dams weapon as told in the movie is generally a load of eyewash. True Wallis can be credited as the designer, but much else in the story is false.

[mattgibbs]

Sir Barnes Neville Wallis invented the geodetic design principle for an Airship, the R100. This principle of light weight strength was carried over in his design work for Vickers, with the Wellington and Wellesley.

Angie, looking forward to hearing the "real" story from you now!
Regards
MG

[Harry Ree]

The heavy "special stores" as these bombs were ultimately known as were dropped by a Lancaster as early as September 1943 when an earlier version, the 12000lb "Tallboy" was dropped on the Dortmund - Ems canal in an effort to drain the watercourse.This was the raid which resulted in the loss of a number of 617 Squadron aircrew who had been involved in the Dams raid.

On 8th June 1944 the first deep penitration "Tallboy" was successfully used by 617 Squadron to destroy the rail tunnel at Saumur on the Loire and thus cut off Normandy from a source of supplies via this route.

The Bielefeld Viaduct was finally destroyed on 14 March 1945 by one "11 ton bomb" which was the 22000lb "Grand Slam" and "Tallboys" from 14 Lancasters.This deep penitration bomb was dropped 30 yards from the viaduct resulting in about 100 yards of the viaduct being blown.Before this attack the viaduct had been bombed using "Tallboys" and 1000lb and 500lb bombs.While damage was done to the viaduct spans,the Germans quickly respanned the breeches with girders and relaid the track which formed a very important supply link between Hanover and Hamm. As before 617 Squadron delivered the blow.

The "Grand Slam" specification was to penitrate 100 feet into the earth when dropped from 40.000 ft and a earth tremor set up from the 7 tons of explosive to disturb surrounding civil foundations of sufficient magnitude to initiate collapse.The limit in practice was that the only aircraft capable of lifting the weapon was the Lancaster but its service ceiling limit was just under 25.000ft and its range limited by its petrol load.It was only after D Day that the need for a "Grand Slam" was identified and plans were immediately put in place to produce the monster.The first live test drop took place on 13 March 1945 and at the same time the first "Grand Slam" was delivered in secrecy to Woodhall Spa for use by 617 Squadron on 14 March.

The Arnsberg Viaduct was similarly destroyed but required a second visit after poor visabilty retricted bombing to one "Grand Slam" from the two dispatched initially.In all 617 Squadron dropped a total of 41 "Grand Slams" from 14 March to the end of the war, a period of less than 2 months.

[angie999]

(Colonel Gubbins @ Dec 31 2005, 10:56 AM) [post=43825]Angie, looking forward to hearing the "real" story from you now!
[/b]

I suggest you read John Sweetman: The Dambusters Raid, Cassell Military Paperbacks, 2002.

[plant-pilot]

(Harry Ree @ Dec 31 2005, 02:25 PM) [post=43828]The Bielefeld Viaduct was finally destroyed on 14 March 1945 by one "11 ton bomb" which was the 22000lb "Grand Slam" and "Tallboys" from 14 Lancasters.This deep penitration bomb was dropped 30 yards from the viaduct resulting in about 100 yards of the viaduct being blown.Before this attack the viaduct had been bombed using "Tallboys" and 1000lb and 500lb bombs.While damage was done to the viaduct spans,the Germans quickly respanned the breeches with girders and relaid the track which formed a very important supply link between Hanover and Hamm. As before 617 Squadron delivered the blow.[/b]

I live only a couple of miles from the Bielefeld Viaduct, the re-built version at least. The area around the base of the viaduct is now a park and is still pock-marked with many old bomb craters. The big one, the result of the 'Grand Slam' that was dropped and destroyed the viaduct, now forms a substantial lake within the park.

I don't know how many people now realize how the lake was formed, but I am reminded of it every time I see it from the road or from above when passing on a train.

[jimbotosome]

(plant-pilot @ Dec 31 2005, 03:41 PM) [post=43841]

I live only a couple of miles from the Bielefeld Viaduct, the re-built version at least. The area around the base of the viaduct is now a park and is still pock-marked with many old bomb craters. The big one, the result of the 'Grand Slam' that was dropped and destroyed the viaduct, now forms a substantial lake within the park.

I don't know how many people now realize how the lake was formed, but I am reminded of it every time I see it from the road or from above when passing on a train.
[/b]

That's pretty cool! They used them to do a number on the sub pens too.

[plant-pilot]

(jimbotosome @ Jan 1 2006, 06:52 AM) Quoted post

That's pretty cool! They used them to do a number on the sub pens too.
[/b]

I think you'll find that that is exactly what they were designed to do. They were chosen as the weapon of 'choice' against the Bielefeld Viaduct because a) they were available, and b) nothing else up to that time had really worked.

It is however strange that it was used there before it was used on it's intended targets. Was it a case of 'field testing' or that the viaduct was a more important target?

[mattgibbs]

Great! Another book to buy, so much to do, so little time to read them all. Guess that can go on the 2006 christmas list.
Regards
MG