Bombs
Incendiary bombs were used almost exclusively by aircraft. The value of bombs which would cause destruction by starting conflagrations was early recognized but their development was rather slow. While the designs were constantly changing, two stand out as the most favored: a small unit, such as the Baby Incendiary Bomb of the English, and a large bomb, such as the French Chenard bomb or the American Mark II bomb.
In general bombs which, when they function upon impact, scatter small burning units over a considerable area, are not favored. Small unit bombs can be more effectively used because the scatter can be better regulated and the incendiary units can be more advantageously placed.
German Bombs. Incendiary bombs were used by the Germans in their airplane raids, usually in connection with high explosive bombs. A typical armament of the later series of German naval airships consisted of the following:
| 2 | 660-pound bombs |
| 10 | 220-pound bombs |
| 15 | 110-pound bombs |
| 20 | Incendiary bombs |
making a total weight of about 2½ tons.
Fig. 107.—Incendiary Devices.
(From Left to Right).
Mark II Bomb, B. I. Bomb, Mark I Dart, Mark II Dart,
Mark I Dart, Grenade, Mark I Bomb.
A typical German bomb is shown in [Fig. 108]. It consists essentially of a receiver of white iron (R) composed of a casing and a central tube of zinc, joined together in such a fashion that, when the whole was complete, it had the appearance of an elongated vessel with a hollow center. Within this central hollow is placed a priming tube (T) of thin sheet iron, pierced by a number of circular openings. The receiver is about 445 mm. (17.5 in.) high and 110 mm. (4.3 in.) at its maximum diameter. It is wrapped with strands of tarred cord over nearly its entire length. The empennage (270 mm. or 10.6 in.—in height) consisted of three inclined balancing fins, which assured the rotation of the projectile during its fall.