Attacking bombers with bombs

[sjchan]

Since Chinese fighters had very little success with large Japanese bomber formations even though they were unescorted, in 1940 a plan for bombing Japanese bombers using aerial bombs with parachutes was hatched. Fighters with their smaller payload were to carry four such bombs. The chance of getting a direct hit with only four bombs per fighter is slim, but it was thought that they could at least disperse the Japanese formation sufficiently to create opportunities for successful attacks. Chinese bombers were to carry thirty-two 10 kg bombs and release them about 1500m over tight formations of Japanese bombers. Training started in the 19th BS in March 1940, and three SBs were so actually equipped (one was lost on Aug 18 in a bombing raid over Ichang).

Most of the attempts to use these bombs were not surprisingly made by fighters, since there are so few serviceable Chinese bombers.

On August 11 six I-15s used these bombs to disperse a large Japanese formation before other fighters swooped in to attack, and it was claimed that two bombers were shot down in the ensuing battle.

Attempts were made on August 12, 16 and 19 to use these bombs on Japanese bombers, but most of the fighters failed to catch the bombers.

After the Japanese started escorting their bombers with A6Ms in mid-August 1940, it would have been suicidal to carry out such attacks and apparently there were no further attacks using these bombs.

[Peter H]

Thanks.

Same technique later adopted by the Japanese:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=96475