Early Cluster Bombs

Grey Havoc

Grey Havoc

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WWII German SD2 'Butterfly Bomb":

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?199728-SD2-quot-butterfly-bomb-quot

http://www.rafbdhistory.co.uk/new_page_6.htm

A nasty piece of work (and it wasn't always the enemy on the receiving end!).

From the second link:

SD 2A and SD 2B "Butterfly" Technical Specifications

Over-All Length: 3.5 in.
Body Length: 3.1 in.
Body Diameter: 3.0 in.
Wall Thickness: 3/8 in.
Total Weight: 4.4 lbs.

Filling: Cast TNT surrounded by a layer of bitumen composition.
Weight Of Filling: 7.5 oz.
Charge/Weight Ratio: 11.4%
Fuzing: SD 2A: (41) (Airburst or impact)
SD 2B: (41) A (Airburst Or Impact), (67) (Delay 5-30 min.), 70) B (Antidisturbance)

CONSTRUCTION: The body of the bomb is a cylindrical cast iron casing. A fuzing pocket is situated transversly in the side of the body. The SD 2A and SD 2 B differ only in the method in which the fuze is secured to the bomb. The fuze is threaded into the SD 2A while it is secured in the SD 2B by a bayonet joint and two U-shaped safety clips.
The bomb body is encased in thin sheet steel container made in four pieces--two end flaps and two pieces covering the sides of the bomb. These parts are hinged together, the hinges being mounted with torsion springs tending to force the parts of the wings away from the body, but are prevented from opening until a safety pin is pulled when container opens. After release, the wings because of the air drag, rise to the upper end of the 6-inch wire cable connected to the fuze. The rotation of the wings relative to the bomb body arms the fuze. When fuze (41) A is employed in the bomb, the wings consist of two triangular shaped flaps.


SUSPENSION: 23 bombs in the AB 23 SD 2 container; 108 bombs in the AB 250-3 container; 6 bombs in the Mark 500 Roden container; 24 bombs in the AB24t container.


COLOUR AND MARKINGS: Body of bomb may be painted either black, lead-grey, red, yellow, or field grey. If the bomb is painted field grey it may have a 3/4-inch yellow band on the body, the wing assembly will be painted field be painted field grey with a yellow stripe on the inside and outside of the wings and may have a 3/4-inch red stripe at right angles to the to the yellow stripe on the wings. If the body is painted yellow, the wings will be painted yellow with a 3/4 inch strip of red on the wings. In addition to the specific color combination given, the wings may be field grey or unpainted.

HITLERS LEGACY: These may still be found today. Should you find one of these evil little devices today PLEASE leave it alone, do not allow anyone near it and call the Police on 999 who will call the nearest Bomb Disposal Experts to deal with it.
Click to expand...
 
The SD-2 was a highly dangerous weapon to both civil and military personnel alike. The type was easily activated if picked up or even if disturbed, meaning that discoveries of even a single device were taken with the utmost care by bomb disposal teams, as one explosion could set off others in the area.

In Malta, the type began use in 1942, in order to disrupt military activity as well as sow panic into the civilian population. Malta's small size meant that dockyards, barracks and airfields were often located near or within populated areas, and saturation attacks would often leave vast areas of towns destroyed or blocked off by mines or cluster bombs. A number of civilians, mainly children were killed by bombs, and there were many warning made by authorities. Most bombs were dropped alongside larger bombs, in order to target personnel working at and expanding military locations (especially airfields) and bomb disposal men. These bombs came with multiple warheads and fuze types.

Butterfly bombs were usually destroyed by a well aimed shot from a rifle, or by tying a cable round it and pulling hard.
 

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