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Learned in Combat > Captain Lindsey on Skip Bombing |
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| K e n s m e n : 4 3 r d B o m b G r o u p (H), 5 t h A A F | ||
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Capt. Lindsey on skip bombing
29 January, 1943
1. The fuses used in skip bombing are 4 to 5 second delay - placed in the tail of the bomb. The nose plug replacing the nose fuse. The ship that is to do the skip bombing should be high enough to allow them to glide in on the target and attain an air speed of 200 mph or greater. The altitude at which you level out is between 175 ft. and 300 ft. The bombardier guides the pilot by talking to him such as left of right. This will insure leading for the target broad side. The ship should be level when bombs are released. 2. In dropping bombs, the bombardier should allow for at least a 60 ft.. bounce and skip. It has been found that most of the bomb fall short; so to insure a direct hit, three bombs should be released on one run. If the ship is moving, it should be headed at least 1/5 of length of ship. Throttles of airplanes should be opened directly over ship or just after the airplane has crossed over the ship. It has been found that the withdrawal should be straight out. The best time to skip bomb is when the moon is just above the horizon. 3. Result of skip bombing is hard to observe unless the bomb goes directly into the ship, thus causing fires. But when the bomb goes directly into the water, the only thing noticed is a gyzer of water which shoots up about 20 or 30 ft. The damage done is in the bottom of the ship. |
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