US Practice Bombs dropped on Essex Town

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by redtop, Apr 18, 2021.

  1. redtop

    redtop Well-Known Member

    I posted this on another thread ref. V bombs/rockets.
    I assume Aircraft from Gosfield or Sudbury US airbases .
    Seems fairly careless to drop practice bombs one directly on Town and others on surrounding farms.
    Just how explosive were "practice" bombs' if one damaged 280 properties ?
    As the article at the time asks "How". Was this coverup for accidents with bomb loads.

    Where would the nearest practice bombing range be?



    [​IMG]
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Might answer your question.


    M28A2 PRACTICE BOMB
    Practice Bombs of WWII

    © Jerry Penry



    [​IMG]
    M28A2 PRACTICE BOMB


    The M382A practice bomb was widely used during training missions over targets in isolated areas. It simulated a General Purpose bomb of the same size and weight. The color of this practice bomb was a powder blue color to quickly differentiate it was a live bomb. Construction was a light sheet metal forming a cylinder for the main portion with a square box tail fin assembly. At the base, or fin end of the cylinder, a spotting charge was inserted.

    [​IMG]



    PRACTICE BOMBS OF WWII

    Several 10lb & 11.5lb WWII Practice Bombs recovered from UK Airfield
     
  3. redtop

    redtop Well-Known Member

    Thank you CL1
    I think that that confirms my suspicions that the incidents were actually accidental drops of live bombs by the damage they caused..
     

Share This Page