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From John Frayn Turner's Service Most Silent: The Navy's Fight Against Enemy Mines.

The Royal Navy's counter-mine warfare establishment was small and unprepared for WW II. Their experience was limited to moored contact mines. The Germans had sown large minefields off their own northwest coast and around Heligoland. Storms in September and October of '39 washed up about 200 contact mines per week on British shores. Deactivating these mines was a full-time job. Soon, however, merchant vessels and warships began to suffer from mysterious explosions not resulting from moored contact mines planted by Germans or adrift at sea. Mines were suspected, but the how was unknown. British mine experts were unable to find the cause. Then on 22 November a German aircraft flew too low and into the range of a RN Lewis gun battery. A sudden accurate burst of machine gun fire made the German pilot drop his payload prematurely and a state-of-the-art parachute-retarded ground mine (bottom-resting) with magnetic trigger was deposited at low tide on the mud flats at Shoeburyness on the north coast of the Thames estuary. Before the tide came in the mine warfare officers were on the scene. Anti-magnetic mine countermeasures ensued.

From John Frayn Turner's Service Most Silent: The Navy's Fight Against Enemy Mines.

The clever Germans used the same device as a bottom mine at sea and a landmine dropped ashore. The difference was the maritime version used a magnetic trigger and the land version a time-delay fuse. Both contained 1,500 pounds of explosive. At first, the Royal Navy mine disposal teams were called in even for the landmines dropped in London and points north. The mines were an elongated metal cylinder, parachute-retarded, with a rounded nose. Deactivation was simple on the basic mine. But before long the Germans began to booby-trap the mines to blow up unwary disposal officers. Eventually there were triple booby-trap mines -- a booby-trap of the booby-trap of the booby-trap. The Royal Navy officers needed to keep their wits about them.

Two officers were called to a small town in the Midlands. One of them, Lieutenant Kelly, was on his first operation. The landmine was in a vacant lot on the edge of town. When disarming a mine, the time-delay fuse if activated would make a whirring or buzzing sound for 23 seconds before it went bang. The teams usually recruited locals to dig a slit trench about 50 yards from the mine. If the fuse sounded, they would be off to the trench. Lieutenant Kelly, on his first solo deactivation, was removing the casing cover and listening closely for the sound of the fuse. He couldn't continue, however, because a Salvation Army band had formed up on the edge of town blaring out "Nearer My God to Thee." Finally, Kelly sent a policeman to quiet the band so he could work.

Very interesting posts MR9, I really enjoyed the story of Lieutenant Kelly and the Salvation Army band - quite an appropriate song they were playing :)

From Service Most Silent: The Navy's Fight Against Enemy Mines by John Frayn Turner --

In 1941 German aircraft began mining the Suez Canal. The effort wasn't very successful, because they had few airplanes for the job and the canal and its approaches were too restricted an area for effective mine ops. The British simply used mine watchers along the canal. When a German plane dropped a mine, a watcher saw it, called it in, and the sweepers and disposal officer knew where it landed.

An officer sent to Suez recalled the mine threat to the canal in World War I. The German secret agent, known as Frank, reconnoitered a track across the Sinai. He then took a party of 18 Arabs on camels, with mines broken down into parts, water in goatskins, and cans of kerosene. They went straight across the desert. About ten miles from the canal they would halt, assemble the mines, use the now empty kerosene cans filled with sand as sinkers, and inflate the now empty goat skins to float the mines into mid-canal. They did this by creeping down to the canal bank after dark. It worked -- up to a point. The British countermeasures were simple. Each day at sundown, the British employed teams of locals with camels, donkeys, or mules to drag planks along the Asian bank making the sand smooth. At dawn, evidence of activity along the bank was obvious and countermeasure teams could be directed to the precise spot.

I've read elsewhere of the German secret agent, Frank. I believe it was in Wavell's bio of Allenby.

Manray9 wrote: "From John Frayn Turner's Service Most Silent: The Navy's Fight Against Enemy Mines.

The clever Germans used the same device as a bottom mine at sea and a landmine dropped ashore. Th..."

The fusing mechanism was actually common - it armed itself as a naval mine if it fell in sufficient depth of water, otherwise behaved as a bomb. Either way there could be a preset delay before it went 'live' and later versions increased the warhead size to 1000kg. There was a constant battle of wits between the the mining and countermeasures forces throughout the war. Ashe Lincoln is quite good on this in Secret Naval Investigator but more has been declassified since he wrote it.

Derek wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "From John Frayn Turner's Service Most Silent: The Navy's Fight Against Enemy Mines.

The clever Germans used the same device as a bottom mine at sea and a landmine dr..."

Turner discussed the functioning of those mines. Later versions exploded if dropped into water of less than seven fathoms, but acted as a sea mine if dropped in deeper water. His Service Most Silent: The Navy's Fight Against Enemy Mines is related the tit-for-tat development of mines, countermeasures, new mines, difference countermeasures and so on and so on. According to his account the basic development line was: contact mines, magnetic bottom-mines, acoustic mines, dual acoustic/magnetic bottom-mines, then pressure mines. The last were difficult to sweep.

Along the way the Germans added photo-electric cells to trigger booby-traps targeting unwary disposal officers. To deactivate the mine, the access panel had to be opened or a drilling device (a trepanner) would cut a 4-inch access hole into the mine. In doing such, as soon as light struck the photo-electric cells, bang! It took recovery of an intact mine and quick experimentation to discover blue light wouldn't set off the booby-trap. Disposal officers then worked in the dark using a portable blue light.

Looks like Standard snake protection practice works for mine sweeping too hehe. If you ever notice old Texas (and I'm sure other places) ranch houses always look like they are in barren territory?

The practice is to not let grass grow around the house. This keeps mosquitos away and you can also see the rattlesnake trails going into the house. Each day the yard is swept smooth.

Manray9 wrote: "Derek wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "From John Frayn Turner's Service Most Silent: The Navy's Fight Against Enemy Mines.

The clever Germans used the same device as a bottom mine at sea and..."

Absolutely agree. Just two things to add - according to Lincoln the photoelectric booby trap was discovered when a wire to the cell had luckily come adrift in the first BM1000 mine they opened up. Also prisoner interrogation played a vital part in keeping DTMI (Dept of Torpedoes & Mines Investigation) up to date on current and planned developments. Lincoln touches on this aspect and I plan to expand on it in my next book.

Here's a nice article on the B-25G,

Doubledf99.99 wrote: "Here's a nice article on the B-25G,

"

Nice one! Thanks.

I knew many men who flew in these, I actually got to ride in a few myself. Noisy as hell.

And if you want to see live action, Devil Dog B-25, stop by the car & aircraft show on Feb 29th in Georgetown, Texas:

Come out to see Classic, Exotic, and Specialty Vehicles along with War Birds on static display. The B-25, known as the Devil Dog, along with a B-17, and P-51 Mustang will be offering rides the day of the show for a fee. Helicopter rides will also be available.




Doubledf99.99 wrote: "Here's a nice article on the B-25G,

"

carl wrote: "And if you want to see live action, Devil Dog B-25, stop by the car & aircraft show on Feb 29th in Georgetown, Texas:

Come out to see Classic, Exotic, and Specialty Vehicles along with War Birds o..."

that's a great picture of the B-25, with a Hotrod and a Mustang under the wings.

I thought the weapons section the best place for this video. BTW, can someone in the UK tell me where this bloke is from? My guess he's Cockney.

Gregg wrote: "I thought the weapons section the best place for this video. BTW, can someone in the UK tell me where this bloke is from? My guess he's Cockney.

..."


He sounds working class SE counties / London to me. Enjoyed that vid. Thanks.

Rare warbirds now available?

I partake in the classic car hobby, now this is a whole other angle on it, finding a different kind of Mustang in the barn !

Gregg wrote: "Rare warbirds now available? "

I didn't realize that he did this:

Meet the Only Man to Witness All 3 WWII Atomic Bomb Blasts

Very interesting story Mike, thanks for posting the link.

Yes quite the niche to have.


Mike wrote: "I didn't realize that he did this:

Meet the Only Man to Witness All 3 WWII Atomic Bomb Blasts

..."

For Sale: Sherman M4A1 “Grizzly��

£5 Million Hawker Typhoon RB396 Restoration Changes Strategy

Gregg wrote: "For Sale: Sherman M4A1 “Grizzly��
..."

Nice :)

The author of "Tug of War" mentioned the development of rockets that were used during the heavy fighting in the Scheldt Estuary campaign, the rocket system was known as the 'Land Service Mattress':

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "The author of "Tug of War" mentioned the development of rockets that were used during the heavy fighting in the Scheldt Estuary campaign, the rocket system was known as the 'Land Service Mattress':..."

Interesting link AR. Not exactly the most fierce-some name but a good, rapidly developed system. Never heard of it before.

It seemed to be quite effective. The Canadians made extensive use of their artillery, including this rocket system and flamethrowers (Crocodile's and a new system developed to be carried in the ubiquitous Bren Gun carrier - the Wasp) to dislodge the Germans from their fortifications.

The Wasp:

As a former owner of an M1 Garand Rifle I figured this book may also interest a few members, due out in June 2021:

The Rifle: Combat Stories from America's Last WWII Veterans, Told Through an M1 Garand by Andrew Biggio

I don't know if this has been posted before, but here goes:

How To Kill A Panther Tank �� Review by Mark Barnes

T 34 An illustrated history of Stalin’s Greatest Tank - review by Robbo Roberts

Here's an example of tactical innovations in war from William Green's War Planes of the Second World War: Flying Boats, Vol.5. The most effective long-range ASW aircraft in the British forces was the Short Sunderland flying boat. They could fly long patrols and reach far beyond local waters. Due to limitations imposed by their bombs and depth charges, attacks required a prolonged low and slow approach to the surfaced U-boat to be attacked. Nevertheless the number of U-boat 'kills,' especially in the Bay of Biscay mounted in 1943.

The Germans adopted new tactics. They armed the submarines with 20-mm and 37-mm AA guns and dual machine guns. Instead of fleeing, they fought back against the low lumbering slab-sided Sunderlands. The U-boats began to damage and shoot down the flying boats. Another tactical response was demanded. Number 10 squadron of the RAAF (serving with Coastal Command) lost a Sunderland III to U-boat fire. The Aussies soon modified their aircraft with a fixed battery of four .303 machine guns in the nose. The flyers would start hosing down the surfaced U-boat at 1,200 yards. This would remove the topside gunners and make a bombing approach easier and safer. Soon they sank U-454 and U-426. The fixed forward-firing machine guns became standardized aboard Sunderlands.

Very interesting information there MR9, thanks for posting those details.

Gregg wrote: "I don't know if this has been posted before, but here goes:

How To Kill A Panther Tank �� Review by Mark Barnes
..."

Nice link Gregg, thanks for sharing those details.

In War Planes of the Second World War: Flying Boats, Vol.5 William Green declares the Japanese Kawanishi Type 2 H8 flying boat, known as Emily to the Allies, as superior to any American, German, or British flying boat. It was the fastest, possessed the best defensive armament, and demonstrated the finest hydrodynamic qualities among such aircraft in the era. The Emily (H8K2 variant) had a top speed of 290 mph at 16,400 feet, a cruising speed of 184 mph at 13,000 feet, a ceiling of 28,740 feet, and a range (depending on load) of 3,800 �� 4,400 miles. Its defensive armament drew respect from Allied fighter pilots on many occasions: a pair of 7.7-mm machine guns in the nose, a 7.7-mm machine gun in each beam blister, a 20-mm cannon in a dorsal turret, and a 20-mm cannon in a tail turret. This was combined with a 2.20 ton bomb load. It could carry two torpedoes, if required.

Kawanishi flying boats made their operational debut with a remarkable effort in March 1942. Two flying boats were based at Wotje Atoll in the Marshall Islands �� about 2,000 n.m. west of Oahu. The flying boats launched, flew to French Frigate Shoals in the extreme northwest of the Hawaiian Islands, rendezvoused with a refueling submarine, gassed up, and took off to bomb Oahu �� about 500 n.m. away. Fortunately (for those in Hawaii) dense cloud cover resulted in one plane's bombs falling harmlessly outside Honolulu, while the other aircraft jettisoned its bombs at sea. One Kawanishi boat returned to Wotje. The other proceeded on to Jaliut �� a return flight of 2,400 miles. At the time, this was the longest bombing mission in history.

Nice pic of an Emily:

Pretty versatile machine MR9, thanks for posting those details and the link to the picture on an Emily.

Thanks Manray for that information. I've actually had never heard of this 'second raid on Pearl Harbour'. Interesting!

From William Green's War Planes of the Second World War, Floatplanes, Vol. VI.

The Grumman J2F Duck was an aircraft of ungainly appearance. Nevertheless it set a speed record for amphibians of 196.89 mph while flying over Chesapeake Bay. That's an impressive speed considering the chronic problem with floatplane design: drag. Ducks were flown by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, USAAF, and the Coast Guard. A total of 653 Ducks were built by various manufacturers with production terminating in 1945.

Here's a Duck:

Manray9 wrote: "Here's a Duck:..."

If it squawks like a duck, walks like a...actually not a bad looking airplane.

Mike wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Here's a Duck:..."

If it squawks like a duck, walks like a...actually not a bad looking airplane."

I think it looks a bit awkward.

From War Planes of the Second World War, Floatplanes, Vol. VI by William Green.

The most well-known floatplane in the U.S. inventory during World War II was the Vought OS2U Kingfisher. It was designed in the late-thirties as a fleet recce and spotter plane to be launched by catapult off cruisers and battlewagons. The first production aircraft flew in April 1940. More than 1,500 were built and many were passed to our allies. Over 100 went to the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm and RAAF No. 107 Squadron flew Kingfishers on ASW patrols off Australia's coasts.

Perhaps the most famous event involving a Vought OS2U-3 was the rescue of Eddie Rickenbacker. Rickenbacker was sent by Secretary of War Stimson on an inspection tour of bases throughout the Pacific aboard a B-17. A navigational error required the Flying Fortress to ditch in the Central Pacific in October '42. Rickenbacker and his crew were adrift in a raft for 24 days until spotted by U.S. Navy Lieutenant William Eadie at the controls of a Kingfisher. Eadie landed, took aboard the survivors, but then his aircraft was too heavy to fly. He taxied across 40 miles of rough seas to complete the rescue. In 1945, Commander Eadie failed to return from a flight. He was declared lost on 8 January.

Here's a Kingfisher on the water:

I read a short book years ago about Rickenbackers 24 days adrift and rescue. ‘We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing�� was good as far as I recall.

Pretty gutsy effort by all involved MR9!

John wrote: "I read a short book years ago about Rickenbackers 24 days adrift and rescue. ‘We Thought We Heard the Angels Sing�� was good as far as I recall."

John: In 1943 Rickenbacker published an account of the episode --

Seven Came Through: Rickenbacker's Full Story.

After publication he realized it was 24 days and not 21.

Anyone want an English Language reproduction of the original Panther-Fibel (1944)?

Over lunch today I watched a Smithsonian TV program on the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. I didn't realize it had counter-rotating props to compensate for the torque generated by the two mighty Allison engines.

Lightnings and Aussie Beaufighters in anti-shipping roles played hell with the Japanese in the southwestern Pacific.

Manray9 wrote: "Over lunch today I watched a Smithsonian TV program on the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. I didn't realize it had counter-rotating props to compensate for the torque generated by the two mighty Allison e..."

I've always thought it curious that the trick wasn't used more on flying boats. Apparently when taking off in the Short 'C' class it was strictly forbidden to touch the starboard throttles until the boat was up on the step.

Manray9 wrote: "Over lunch today I watched a Smithsonian TV program on the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. I didn't realize it had counter-rotating props to compensate for the torque generated by the two mighty Allison e..."

On a related note (you probably are already aware of this, Manray9) the rotary engines in a number of WWI aircraft had tremendous, and unmitigated, gyroscopic effects on the aircraft because the cylinders and crankcase themselves rotated with the propeller while the crankshaft was fixed to the airframe.

From William Green's War Planes Of The Second World War: Flying Boats- Volume Five.

Germany built some attractive flying boats during WW II. I like the unconventional looks of the Blohm und Voss Bv138. It survived many teething pains in development, but became a workhorse. Early models were notoriously bad performers on the water. In 1939, the hull, tail booms, and central wing section were redesigned and production got underway It was a twin tail boom design powered by three 880 hp Junkers Jumo diesels. The typical configuration gave it a range of about 2,500 nm at cruising speed of 149 mph. The Bv138s could carry bombs or depth charges and most variants had a combination of a 20 mm cannon or 7.9 mm MG in bow and rear hull turrets, a 13 mm MG aft of the central engine nacelle, and a 7.9 mm MG in a hatch on the starboard side of the hull.

In 1941, a Bv138 shadowed a British convoy escorted by a carrier and was subject to continuous attacks by fighters for 90 mins. It returned to base safely. I don't know if this was a credit to the performance of the Bv138, the proficiency of the German crew, or the ineptitude of the Fleet Air Arm fighters. Perhaps a combination of all three?

The Bv138 was adapted for many roles. As a transport it could carry ten passengers. One successful adaptation was as an airborne minesweeper. For counter-mine operations, the flying boats were equipped with an external dural hoop powered by an auxiliary motor. It worked. Eventually, seventy Bv138s were modified to take rocket boosters for catapult launches.

Here's a photo of a Bv138MS (minesweeper configuration). The same photo is in Green's book:



Here's a model of the minesweeper variant:

Very interesting looking seaplane and a great story, thanks for sharing MR9.

From William Green's War Planes of the Second World War, Floatplanes, Vol. VI.

Japan was at the forefront of floatplane design and development in the WW II era. One of the best aircraft was the Mitsubishi F1M2 (nicknamed by the Allies “Pete��). It had remarkable maneuverability and rate of climb for a biplane on floats. It proved successful as a fighter. When the Japanese occupied Attu in the Aleutians they based a squadron of F1M2s there. It had a ceiling of 31,000 feet (That seemed high to me, but it checked out), a speed of 370 KPH at 11,000 feet, and a range of 400 nm. In all, Mitsubishi built 524 Petes and Sasebo Arsenal built 180.

This photo of a Pete appeared in Green's book:



An artist's depiction of a Pete in action;

Robert Taylor did a nice painting of a Pete;