Weapons of Devastation: A Comprehensive Review of WWII Cluster Fragmentation Bombs

Fragmentation cluster bombs were adopted to destroy light structures and aircraft on the ground and wound or kill enemy solders. This video will look at the common type of fragmentation bombs the US adopted during WWII. The video will mostly look at the M41 20 lbs fragmentation bomb and the various cluster adaptors adopted in carrying the bombs. Usage and combat effectiveness will also be addressed with case studies.

[telurkucing]

9:51 salute to the guy who pick and count all of that fragments

[billbrockman]

As someone who spent 25 years loading weapons on 4 different USAF fighters and one bomber type, I find these discussions very informative.

[nandi]

My father was a B-26 pilot. They dropped fragmentation bombs on German troops for the first time over Anzio. He said those things came out of the planes ahead of him like potato chips and his squadron flew threw them. He was amazed they survived.

[hugodesrosiers-plaisance]

I find those methodical analyses they did back then to be just as grim and chilling as war footage. "Our guys want the enemy positions destroyed without making a complete hash of the terrain" is a particularly brutal analytical statement. Damn.

[lwrii]

It just amazes me on how we can find so many diabolical ways to destroy each other. I'm not saying it sometimes isn't needed, just thought provoking.

[williamzk]

The Germans also had cluster bombs. They were called Abwerfbehelter and had designations such as AB500 and AB250. These weapons could carry a variety of subventions. The most interesting being the SD 4 HL or hollow charge dispersed by the AB250-2 which had 40 submuntions or the AB250-3 which could disperse the SD 2 butterfly anti personnel bomb. Mostly they were used for incendiaries. The number refers only t the approximate bomb mass only. It's in fact a designation more about the shackle. Interestingly some of the German cluster bombs simultaneously released anti radar chaff.
-In general the Luftwaffe preferred to use bombs to destroy tanks (by sliding them along the ground with a time delay fuse from a Fw 190) but intruded folding fin R4M rockets modified with a Panzerschrek warhead. However they were testing rockets that dispersed the SD 4 HL with either 8 or 22 sub-munitions.

[David-icby]

Absolutely terrifying. This video succeeded in 1) informing me very well, and 2) taking another layer of “romance paint” off my imagination of the air war.

[stevendorris]

Informative and well done ( as always). Great job!

[redtobertshateshandles]

It would have to be devastating to a fuel truck convoy and anyone nearby.
My workmate truck driver was a Vietnam Veteran, and told me that he thought driving trucks would be an easy job, so he volunteered.
As he was driving along in his fuel truck, he realised that it wasn't the best decision. 😂

[ypaulbrown]

always fantastic, keep up the great in Orlando

[Urbicide]

I had started collecting inert brass shell casings after hearing my dad tell about his WW2 Navy battle station, as a hot shellman on an open mount, 5" 38 cal gun. (It took years, but I eventually found a brass 5" 38 which I gave to him some 50 years after his service. You should have seen the expression on his face.) I would occasionally encounter other types of inert ordnance, one of which happened to be an M41 cluster bomb, complete with nose fuse AN-M110A1. The man I purchased it from said he had found it in an old aircraft hanger back when he was a kid. It took years to find out exactly what is was, as there was little information out there for anything older than Vietnam era munitions. Your video was like opening an encyclopedia of knowledge. Very well done. Thank you.

[Chilly_Billy]

I've always been interested in learning more about these early cluster bombs. Many thanks for the presentation. I just wish someone would make them in 1/72 and 1/48 scales for modelers.

[kiwidiesel]

Never ceases to amaze me just how much research has been carried out in the field of erasing humans and the ongoing improvements in such field craft😂

[lamwen]

Comparison to .22 LR really puts things into proportion. And now they're using clusters with the ATACMS.

[pistolpete]

Great video, very detailed and informative!

[TroyBlake]

Great information and very well described.

[motonegros]

My God this is a sick science. I cant imagine how horrific it would be to hide in a hole during one of these attacks.

[pauldietz]

I wonder if proximity fused bombs will be discussed. Fragmentation is more lethal if the bomb can be fused to explode somewhat higher above the ground. The proximity fuses in bombs need not be as acceleration resistant as those in artillery shells, so they are easier to make.

[Hoopaball]

5:09 notice the pilot climbing into his plane.

[chris_hisss]

Impact books are a great resource, had them since I was little. Scary the effectiveness of these weapons. Nice review, thanks.