Depth charges
Depth charges
Hi all,
There is very little information about the different models of depth charges used by the german Kriegsmarine during World War II.
The only source i have found on the net is http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WAMGER_ASW.htm
WBD 180kg
WDF 139kg
WBG 180kg
WBH 240kg
Here an image from EBay: WBG ??
Sturm78
There is very little information about the different models of depth charges used by the german Kriegsmarine during World War II.
The only source i have found on the net is http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WAMGER_ASW.htm
WBD 180kg
WDF 139kg
WBG 180kg
WBH 240kg
Here an image from EBay: WBG ??
Sturm78
Re: Depth charges
Hello,
A little more: Wasserbombe Type WBF and WBG:
Destruction zone = 0-5.6 m
Danger zone = 5.6-17 m
Damage zone = 17-28 m
Safety zone = over 28 m
Source: Destroyer! German Destroyers in WWII, M.J. Whitley, Naval Institute Press ISBN 0-87021-143-9.
Rand
A little more: Wasserbombe Type WBF and WBG:
Destruction zone = 0-5.6 m
Danger zone = 5.6-17 m
Damage zone = 17-28 m
Safety zone = over 28 m
Source: Destroyer! German Destroyers in WWII, M.J. Whitley, Naval Institute Press ISBN 0-87021-143-9.
Rand
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Re: Depth charges
I've got some translated works on German ASW in WWII somewhere in 50 books of books and papers. I'm moving in the next few weeks, but I'll keep an eye out for them.
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Re: Depth charges
Just to add to the list:
WBA (C/15), 50 Kg explosive charge (TNT), fired using a depth laniard (WW1);
WBB (C/24), 132 Kg explosive charge, Hidrostatic fuze;
WBD II: 180kg, 125 Kg explosive, effective `till 120m deep; it differs from WBD in the disposition of the explosive charge. Clock mechanism fuzed, 3,5 m/sec sinking speed.
WB DM 11, 160 Kg, 100 kg explosive, same depth.
WBSS: 60 Kg, 2, 23 m/sec. sinking speed.
There were also rocket fired versions, using the following rockets attachments: RWB F40( range 40m, to be used on U-Jäger boats, weight 165kg, Vmax: 25m/s, with an hidrostatic fuze), RWB G40, RWB H40, RWB 600 and RWB 600U.
I will post what I have on german WW2 ASW rockets. There is still much to uncover regarding german anti-submarine weapons.
WBA (C/15), 50 Kg explosive charge (TNT), fired using a depth laniard (WW1);
WBB (C/24), 132 Kg explosive charge, Hidrostatic fuze;
WBD II: 180kg, 125 Kg explosive, effective `till 120m deep; it differs from WBD in the disposition of the explosive charge. Clock mechanism fuzed, 3,5 m/sec sinking speed.
WB DM 11, 160 Kg, 100 kg explosive, same depth.
WBSS: 60 Kg, 2, 23 m/sec. sinking speed.
There were also rocket fired versions, using the following rockets attachments: RWB F40( range 40m, to be used on U-Jäger boats, weight 165kg, Vmax: 25m/s, with an hidrostatic fuze), RWB G40, RWB H40, RWB 600 and RWB 600U.
I will post what I have on german WW2 ASW rockets. There is still much to uncover regarding german anti-submarine weapons.
Re: Depth charges
I can't find a suitable topic for this, I hope this placement is ok...
I came across the term "Heeresvorstrandsperre" in a document describing (just a list + individual sketches) 42 of these along the french coast - some included in Stützpunkte, Wn's etc.
As underwater ordnance is my main focus, I'm curious about this use of depthcharges in german beachdefences: Was it purely improvised, or was it an "official" kind of ordnance? Clearly these were Heer-installations, but wasserbomben were - assumably - Kriegsmarine domain?
Does anyone have any details in regards to the construction of these/ photos etc?
The sketches suggest the charges were fired in groups of three (with two exeptions: One sperrung across the Seine has groups of two, and one of the two sperrungs at Somme has single charges). The number of charges in the different sperrungs vary from below 10 to more than 70.
Quite a few of the sketches specify "Frz Wasserbomben 100 kg" (details of this, anyone?) - appearantly this was the standard type, although I reckon different types could have been used as it's just a matter of adapting an electric detonator instead of the standard hydrostatic zünder.
Also, some sketches have "Zündtisch" or "Zündbunker" in stead of "Zündstand" (I'm not sure if this is significant though - I assume it's a rather simple construction similar to the arrangement for Abwehrflammenwerfer 42 etc).
I have attached a part of the sketch for "Heeresvorstrandsperre Nr. 34", which has other types of obstacles in addition to the depthcharges (many of the sites had only depthcharges according the sketches).
I came across the term "Heeresvorstrandsperre" in a document describing (just a list + individual sketches) 42 of these along the french coast - some included in Stützpunkte, Wn's etc.
As underwater ordnance is my main focus, I'm curious about this use of depthcharges in german beachdefences: Was it purely improvised, or was it an "official" kind of ordnance? Clearly these were Heer-installations, but wasserbomben were - assumably - Kriegsmarine domain?
Does anyone have any details in regards to the construction of these/ photos etc?
The sketches suggest the charges were fired in groups of three (with two exeptions: One sperrung across the Seine has groups of two, and one of the two sperrungs at Somme has single charges). The number of charges in the different sperrungs vary from below 10 to more than 70.
Quite a few of the sketches specify "Frz Wasserbomben 100 kg" (details of this, anyone?) - appearantly this was the standard type, although I reckon different types could have been used as it's just a matter of adapting an electric detonator instead of the standard hydrostatic zünder.
Also, some sketches have "Zündtisch" or "Zündbunker" in stead of "Zündstand" (I'm not sure if this is significant though - I assume it's a rather simple construction similar to the arrangement for Abwehrflammenwerfer 42 etc).
I have attached a part of the sketch for "Heeresvorstrandsperre Nr. 34", which has other types of obstacles in addition to the depthcharges (many of the sites had only depthcharges according the sketches).
- Attachments
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- hvs34.jpg (146.23 KiB) Viewed 19015 times
Re: Depth charges
No response in regards to the use of depth charges in "Heeresvorstrandsperre", but still I'll try another question...
In this pionier-merkblatt the use of depth charges is also described. Again, I assume this is covering the use of Kriegsmarine (?) ordnance by the Heer, and I reckon the designations given here are used by the Heer?
The merkblatt (found in NARA RG 242 T-312 Roll 1051): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/386 ... -21%29.pdf
In this pionier-merkblatt the use of depth charges is also described. Again, I assume this is covering the use of Kriegsmarine (?) ordnance by the Heer, and I reckon the designations given here are used by the Heer?
The merkblatt (found in NARA RG 242 T-312 Roll 1051): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/386 ... -21%29.pdf
Re: Depth charges
Hi all,
Another image from Ebay. I am not sure about the exact model. WBG ???
Sturm78
Another image from Ebay. I am not sure about the exact model. WBG ???
Sturm78
Re: Depth charges
Would anyone know of any books that compare RN, USN and Kriegsmarine anti-submarine warfare techniques and weapons? Cheers.
Re: Depth charges
Hi all,
An image from Ebay: WBG ??
Sturm78
An image from Ebay: WBG ??
Sturm78
- Attachments
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- German WBG depth charge.jpg (96.53 KiB) Viewed 16801 times
Re: Depth charges
Hi all,
A nice image from Ebay:
All images on this threat seems show the same model...
Sturm78
A nice image from Ebay:
All images on this threat seems show the same model...
Sturm78
Re: Depth charges
Hi all,
Swedish depth charges at works. Any idea about the Swedish designation for this model ?
Sturm78
Swedish depth charges at works. Any idea about the Swedish designation for this model ?
Sturm78