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Enlightenment please: the term 'X type'

C

Chris Going

Member
To all Gurus out there -I am a bit stumped by a reference which refers to bombs, or more likely to a fuse type. It's in a rather abbreviated list of the ordnance aimed at St Pierre de Corps M/Y on April 10th 1944 by a force of 172 Lancasters. Among the bombs dropped were "1,267 x 1000LB MCLD 'X' type". This is a large number of LD -but 'X' type. Should this be a fusing question? All replies gratefully received.

Best


ChrisG
 
Hi Chris,

I will try to answer your question. I think the Lancs can carry max. 6 x 1000 lb MC + others smaller ordnance like T.I.s or Inc clusters. I know the term 'X' type only in connection with the 4 lb Inc. Normally 10 % of the dropped 4 lb Inc were 'X' type with explosive charge. So I think the number of 1,267 refers to the 4 lb Inc 'X' which were dropped. This would be my assumption. Perhaps you can post the complete ordnance list for a better understanding.

Regards,
Mossie
 
Mossie,

Thanks for this information. Its clear from your figures that 172 Lancasters would not have been able to carry 1,267 x 1000 MC bombs, but there is some indication that the Force was greater. So these numbers may derive from the prepared load, rather than the load aimed at the target. I hope to acquire greater details of the Ordnance actually carried shortly. In my list the Ref to "X" type comes immediately after the ref to 1000 MC x 1267, and there is no ref to Incendiaries nearby to which it might be attached. A puzzle at the moment, but one I am keen to resolve.

Many thanks for your response.


Chris
 
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