Unknown miniature (small) Depth Charge type M (?)

[Darkman]

A friend has this Australian made sectioned mini depth charge with WW2 date and can't find any information on it.

It's marked (M) possibly for type M? "ME" is for Maribyrnong Explosives (Melbourne) which is the munitions filling factory.

I didn't have anything to measure it with but it's a little under 300mm in diameter (roughly 280mm ~ 11") and about 400-450mm tall.
The hydrostatic pistol pictured is not for this depth charge.

Does anyone have any information on this type?

Thanks, Graeme

 

[Yodamaster]

Hum, it seems to be very similar to the british U.K. DEPTH CHARGE, MK XII


Yoda

 

[kiwieod]

looks like it might be a classroom trainer made about 1/2 size.a depth charge of this size wouldn't be very effective against anything like a submarine.

 

[Darkman]

looks like it might be a classroom trainer made about 1/2 size.a depth charge of this size wouldn't be very effective against anything like a submarine.

No it's the real deal. I think it they may have been used against midget submarines. Following up from Yodamaster's lead, Australian naval records mention: Depth Charge, Midget, "M" Type "B", but provide no further details.

Also found the following reference but no details:

Mark XII

Date Of Design	N/A
Date In Service	N/A
Total Weight	N/A
Explosive Charge	55 lbs. (25 kg) Minol
Sink Rate / Terminal Velocity	N/A
Settings	N/A

A small charge for use against midget submarines and similar devices.




I'm still searching.

 

[Yodamaster]

If you have access to it, US NAVY EODB |ARMY TM | AIR FORCE TO S-3-2-12, U.K. DEPTH CHARGE, MK XII


Yoda

 

[Darkman]

Thanks for the reference Yoda, but I don't have access to this handbook and it's not in the downloads section. Are you able to scan the relevant page(s) please?

Thanks, Graeme