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4
FLEET POST OFFICE
SAN FRANCISCO. CALIF
INTELLIGENCE REPORT
RESTRICTED
2 APRIL 1945
NUMBER 63
JAPANESE ARMY
I kg INCENDIARY BOMB
Introduction.
This bomb was recovered on February 18th by Army
Bomb Disposal personnel near the Eisloy #1 Air Strip on Saipan.
Since there had been no enemy air raids for some time previous, it
is presumed that this incendiary had been in the area since early
December 1944, when 1/3 kg. AA bombs are known to have been dropped
in a raid on this field,
Description.
The bomb consists of three (3) main parts: nose
piece, incendiary filled body, and explosive filled tail.
A. Nose Piece.
The nose piece is made of magnesium. In the center
of the flat, forward end is a Circular hole one (1) inch in diameter with two (2) spanner holes, 180 apart, outside of this circular hole, The central hole is internally threaded (R/H) to receive the fixed firing pin holder. The firing pin holder is constructed of brass and has'two (2) spanner holes, 180 apart, in its
outer surface. Rigidly attached to the inside is a sharp-pointed,
steel firing pin. Between the firing pin and movable detonator
carrier is a comparatively strong anti-creep spring. The detonator
carrier is made of brass, recessed at the forward end to seat the
anti-creep spring. Its central hole is enlarged at the after end
to increase the flash going into the incendiary filling of the
borrib, One-half inch (*-inch) abaft the end of the nose piece is a
shoulder, 5/16" wide and 3/16" deep. In the assembled-bomb this
shoulder has the appearance of an annular groove. An off-center
hole, drilled transversely through the shoulder,contains the safety
pin, which, when in place, prevents the detonator carrier from
moving against the firing pin. The after end of the nose piece is
externally threaded (R/H) to fit into the bomb body.
B. Body.
The body is a cylindrical, magnesium tube. The forward end is internally threaded (R/H) to receive the nose piece.
The conical tail cone fits over the boat-tailed after end of the
body. The filling of the bomb is thermite, Three-fourths (3/4)
inch aft of the forward end are four (4) vent holes, 90 apart.
A central igniting cord, black powder coated, runs from the detonator into the thermite filling.
C.
Tail.
in,
in,
in,
in,
in,
in.
2 1/8 in.
1 1/16 in.
13/16 in,
6.4 'al
(RMO:grp)
DISTRIBUTION:
Lists A, B, & C,
A, B. HALEY
Lieutenant, USNR
Officer-in-Charge
TA 1 L CON E
BAG
THERWTE
FILLING
i"
BOMB BODY
MOVABLE
DET CARRIER-
VENTS
ANTI-CREEP SPRING
SAFETY PIN
NOSE PIECE