Weapons of Devastation: A Comprehensive Review of WWII Cluster Fragmentation Bombs

Fragmentation cluster bombs were adopted to destroy light structures and aircraft on the ground and wound or kill enemy solders. This video will look at the common type of fragmentation bombs the US adopted during WWII. The video will mostly look at the M41 20 lbs fragmentation bomb and the various cluster adaptors adopted in carrying the bombs. Usage and combat effectiveness will also be addressed with case studies.

[@billbrockman779]

As someone who spent 25 years loading weapons on 4 different USAF fighters and one bomber type, I find these discussions very informative.

[@jethrox827]

I've always wondered, is there any danger of being contaminated by chemicals in the explosives when handling bombs?

[@billbrockman779]

@@jethrox827 That was never in our rather lengthy safety warnings.

[@timengineman2nd714]

@@jethrox827 That would be for the people who fill the bomb (or shell). The people (often women, teenagers, senior citizens, and the occasional 4F) who would mix the chemicals, those who heated the chemicals and those who would pour the now liquid explosive into the bomb (or shell).

[@Easy-Eight]

I was a load toad, just like the original poster. Generally, the bombs are fairly safe. The biggest hazard would be having something big and heavy crushing a body part. However, my worst injury was removing an AIM-9L in the worst heat in Arizona and the 125+ degree missile started to cook our firearms.

[@billbrockman779]

@@Easy-Eight That happened to my crew also at Balad in the summer. Storage brought a trailer of missiles that had been in the sun, maybe just from the drive over. We couldn’t pick up the Sidewinder until we’d poured some water over the missile body.

[@nandi123]

My father was a B-26 pilot. They dropped fragmentation bombs on German troops for the first time over Anzio. He said those things came out of the planes ahead of him like potato chips and his squadron flew threw them. He was amazed they survived.

[@mlovmo]

Those bombs, if they hit a plane flying behind, probably didn't explode since the bombs' propeller vanes didn't have enough rotation yet to arm the bombs.

[@matthewwagner47]

Luckily it seems they went armed since they were so close.

[@sjb3460]

FOD can bring down a plane just as effectively as AAA fire. FOD is Foreign Object Damage. FOD can be pieces of aircraft being hit with AAA, or objects knocked loose such as pieces of wings, engines, and parts of the fuselage. When I was in the Army (helicopter mechanic) we cleaned up the runways and parking areas for the helicopters. We looked for bolts, nuts, rocks and any branch larger than a finger. You would be surprised at how many nuts and bolts fall off aircraft.

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

@@sjb3460 FOD is Foreign Object Debris, thus FOD damage is not like ATM machine. Of course, the Navy and Army may occasionally differ.....

[@leew8812]

​@@grizwoldphantasia5005or indeed nation.

[@telurkucing5006]

9:51 salute to the guy who pick and count all of that fragments

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

I find those methodical analyses they did back then to be just as grim and chilling as war footage. "Our guys want the enemy positions destroyed without making a complete hash of the terrain" is a particularly brutal analytical statement. Damn.

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

That's what I was feeling too. Easier to just think of "bombs" and not know the details.

[@ArtieKendall]

@@grizwoldphantasia5005 It's quite overwhelming, really. While watching this analysis, I couldn't help but think of the idiom, "The devil is in the details."

[@JustSir430]

Yes it is, people today aren't used to hearing it put so bluntly factual. It's a shame we got away from that and have to candy coat comments even when it comes to stuff like this.

[@lwrii1912]

It just amazes me on how we can find so many diabolical ways to destroy each other. I'm not saying it sometimes isn't needed, just thought provoking.

[@TheDasHatti]

Absolutely agree. What also amazes me is, that since then noone has figured out that bombing civilians doesnt win wars. It seems to me, that anytime the civilians get bombed, the "victim" just gets stronger by rallying around the flag and not thinking that giving up to the attacker would be a good idea.

[@lwrii1912]

@TheDasHatti I mostly agree with you. It only strengthened the British resolve to endure and win. Where it does gain effect is when the destruction of civilian property and personnel deprives the enemy of its ability to function and produce the implements of war such as the 1000 bomber raids over Germany. It really does just depend on the intensity of the bombing and its sustainability. Sad thoughts either way.

[@CATASTEROID934]

If I remember correctly the M69 cluster among other incendiaries were tested on a set of highly accurate model villages that closely imitated German and Japanese architecture, furniture and fittings constructed on Dugway proving ground, named "German Village" and "Japanese Village" respectively. It was a very elaborate and high-investment experiment to discover which bomblets were most effective, and a little unsettling in it's own unique way.

[@mattwilliams3456]

@@TheDasHatti rallying around the flag accomplishes little if you don’t have a weapon in your hand because the factories are dust or idle because the workers are dead or have fled. It’s not pleasant and isn’t a guarantee, but at a certain point of scale it can succeed. The citizens of Malta may not have been broken by the unparalleled bombing they received, but it was only because of outside supply that they weren’t knocked out of the war.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

It would have to be devastating to a fuel truck convoy and anyone nearby. My workmate truck driver was a Vietnam Veteran, and told me that he thought driving trucks would be an easy job, so he volunteered. As he was driving along in his fuel truck, he realised that it wasn't the best decision. 😂

[@mattwilliams3456]

Lol, I joined the Army National Guard in 2006 and a bunch of guys in basic training were going to be MOS 88M, essentially truck drivers. They all thought it was a great cushy job, and even came with a nice signing bonus, until the Drill Sergeants told them that 88Ms were having some of the highest casualty rates in Iraq because of roadside IEDs. Recruiters apparently forgot to mention why that nice signing bonus was there.

[@David-ic4by]

Absolutely terrifying. This video succeeded in 1) informing me very well, and 2) taking another layer of “romance paint” off my imagination of the air war.

[@williamzk9083]

The Germans also had cluster bombs. They were called Abwerfbehelter and had designations such as AB500 and AB250. These weapons could carry a variety of subventions. The most interesting being the SD 4 HL or hollow charge dispersed by the AB250-2 which had 40 submuntions or the AB250-3 which could disperse the SD 2 butterfly anti personnel bomb. Mostly they were used for incendiaries. The number refers only t the approximate bomb mass only. It's in fact a designation more about the shackle. Interestingly some of the German cluster bombs simultaneously released anti radar chaff. -In general the Luftwaffe preferred to use bombs to destroy tanks (by sliding them along the ground with a time delay fuse from a Fw 190) but intruded folding fin R4M rockets modified with a Panzerschrek warhead. However they were testing rockets that dispersed the SD 4 HL with either 8 or 22 sub-munitions.

[@kiwidiesel]

Never ceases to amaze me just how much research has been carried out in the field of erasing humans and the ongoing improvements in such field craft😂

[@lamwen03]

Comparison to .22 LR really puts things into proportion. And now they're using clusters with the ATACMS.

[@TheCrapOnYourStrapOn]

Quite a different version of cluster weapon but who is “they” using atacms out of curiosity? Last I heard we couldn’t use cluster munitions anymore! Surely you’re mistaken. Otherwise you’re talking about a war crime.

[@lamwen03]

@@TheCrapOnYourStrapOnNo, many countries have decided not to use cluster weapons, but the US is NOT one of them. Neither are Ukraine or Russia.

[@TJ24050]

@@TheCrapOnYourStrapOnwe gave Ukraine older versions of ATACMS with cluster warheads. The first two were used on an airfield and took out like 8 helicopters destroyed and I believe 7 damaged

[@larrybarger1077]

When I was MLRS the ATACMS were brand new and only a few units converted over .. and not e we got HIMARS too..I didn't know much about that one . Well after my time.

[@larrybarger1077]

The original MLRS. Packed 677 shaped charge grenades.. might have been 672... It was a long time ago..

[@stevendorris5713]

Informative and well done ( as always). Great job!

[@Chilly_Billy]

I've always been interested in learning more about these early cluster bombs. Many thanks for the presentation. I just wish someone would make them in 1/72 and 1/48 scales for modelers.

[@Urbicide]

I had started collecting inert brass shell casings after hearing my dad tell about his WW2 Navy battle station, as a hot shellman on an open mount, 5" 38 cal gun. (It took years, but I eventually found a brass 5" 38 which I gave to him some 50 years after his service. You should have seen the expression on his face.) I would occasionally encounter other types of inert ordnance, one of which happened to be an M41 cluster bomb, complete with nose fuse AN-M110A1. The man I purchased it from said he had found it in an old aircraft hanger back when he was a kid. It took years to find out exactly what is was, as there was little information out there for anything older than Vietnam era munitions. Your video was like opening an encyclopedia of knowledge. Very well done. Thank you.

[@motonegros]

My God this is a sick science. I cant imagine how horrific it would be to hide in a hole during one of these attacks.

[@rdallas81]

It's disgusting

[@pauldietz1325]

I wonder if proximity fused bombs will be discussed. Fragmentation is more lethal if the bomb can be fused to explode somewhat higher above the ground. The proximity fuses in bombs need not be as acceleration resistant as those in artillery shells, so they are easier to make.

[@pistolpete6321]

Great video, very detailed and informative!

[@Hoopaball]

5:09 notice the pilot climbing into his plane.

[@tarjei99]

I think that someone looked into what fragments were produced by artillery grenades in WW2. The high explosive filling mostly pulverized the casing. I think Amatol produced fragments. For hand grenades it was found that groves on the outside did not shape fragments. Grooves on the inside created fragments. I think the Pineapple grenade was filled with gunpowder for fragments.

[@lscott6088]

Love your FACTS only videos!

[@cheekibreeki4638]

Excellent as always. Do you plan on covering munitions used against armor such as tanks?

[@mattwilliams3456]

Soviet, but I’ve been interested in how effective the PTAB used from the IL-2 Sturmovik was.

[@ypaulbrown]

always fantastic, keep up the great work.....Paul in Orlando

[@WWIIUSBombers]

Many thanks! Will do.

[@ypaulbrown]

cheers.....Paul @@WWIIUSBombers

[@timengineman2nd714]

Surprised that you didn't mention the "Daisy Cutter!! Which is a piece of wood from a broom or mop handle put onto the nose fuse to ensure detonation (depending on the length of the "Daisy Cutter") from 12 to 18 inches off the ground... The B-25s doing a low level run where almost certainly using these to ensure better Frag of equipment on the Japanese field! They also used them on bombs up to 500 pounds!!!

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

It’s worth understanding the history of cluster munitions. They were invented by Germany after bomb damage assessment in Spain. They found that the general purpose ‘iron’ bombs tended to be inefficient and they posited that a cluster bomb of the same weight would spread Frag much more evenly. The cluster munitions were first used against the UK. In particular the port (and the whole town) of Grimsby was out of action for 3 weeks. However the British counter intelligence people (MI5) had rolled up the entire German spy network in the UK. Some of them were used to pass disinformation about the German SD2 back. They said the British were laughing at this silly little bomb. The Luftwaffe officers agreed. They wanted bigger bombs, not little ones. They stopped using them in the West and existing stocks were used up in North Africa and on the eastern front. Imagine the effect of they had used them on the invasion beaches or ports. Both the British and the American governments realised the true impact of cluster munitions, and both started a program to build their own.

[@annoyingbstard9407]

Predictable master race comment. The Germans didn’t “invent” cluster ordnance. They were simply the First Nation to use them against unprotected women and children in urban environments. As for the whole town of Grimsby being “out of action”….😂

[@Mechanized85]

What a ​l o l bullshit.

[@chris_hisss]

Impact books are a great resource, had them since I was little. Scary the effectiveness of these weapons. Nice review, thanks.

[@TroyBlake]

Great information and very well described.

[@tsufordman]

Brutal noseart on that B-24. Great video.

[@cmdredstrakerofshado1159]

I know that fragmentation bombs were drop in the pacfic but had parachutes so the would not go off until bomber was well clear of the blast and were very effect at Damaging aircaft on the ground when attacking Japanese airfields

[@Absaalookemensch]

Outstanding. Thank you

[@chuckhaggard1584]

If you search for the book 'A War Of Their Own, Bombers Over The Southwest Pacific' by Capt Matthew Rodman you can find a PDF copy on like to read. That book has some great details of the air war against Japan from the early days to the end, highlighting how they developed innovative tactics, such as skip bombing, strafing, and para frags, for use against Japanese shipping and aircraft. Outstanding reading if you are interested in this subject.

[@jayteeb1]

Great video, very informative 👏

[@luvr381]

Comment for the algorithm.

[@troyfrei2962]

Great Job!!

[@juniperpansy]

Great video! There was a mention that a bomb had to revolve 270 times to arm it. Does the version with the parachute still arm the same way?

[@TJ24050]

Im guessing yes. Even though the vains on the fuzes rotated slower, the bomb was falling slower. It probably armed at similar distances after release. But I’m not an ordnance specialist.

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

It’s the arming vane that rotates, not the bomb

[@mabbrey]

great channel

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Great video...👍

[@victorboucher675]

Thank you.

[@BIG-DIPPER-56]

Yup, subscribed 😎👍

[@TRUMP_WAS_RIGHT_ABOUT_EVRYTHNG]

Another great video! anyone else find it odd that our military could keep track of every single thing in WW2. They knew 117 bombers dropped exactly 3007 m26 bombs at the exact time on a specific date but they lose track of trillions of our tax dollars on a regular basis and just throw their arms up , like whoopsie doodles our bad. 😂 Man it'd be nice to have an honest government. Imagine how low our taxes would be🤔

[@peterwright217]

top story. 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@lscott6088]

Thanks!

[@WWIIUSBombers]

Thanks for the super thanks donation.

[@iskandartaib]

Ah... this had me confused. I thought "cluster" meant the type of bomb that consisted of many grenade-sized bomblets, which were in common use until recently, and are still being used in Ukraine. This seems to be their ancestor - same idea, but larger bomblets, and a lot fewer of them in comparison.

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

You’re correct. Indeed the body of the first cluster munition - the German SD2 ‘butterfly bomb’ was only 2 kg and not much bigger than a Coke can. Indeed the US later copied the SD2 and used it in South East Asia. It was later replaced by a whole family of cluster munitions including the BLU3, the BLU 24, the BLU 26 and the Mk118 Rockeye.

[@DCS.1-1]

Jesus Christ : what kind of fucking War crime essay is that Excellent video

[@oldspicey6001]

I loved this. Sub ed😊

[@parrotraiser6541]

Cluster munitionss seem to be working well in Ukraine.

[@dukecraig2402]

Definitely not something you'd wanna be on the receiving end of. Between these and artillery shell's with the proximity fuses it's no wonder the German army was collapsing so hard in the last months, once they were on the run and had those two things coming out of the sky on them it was all over. You covered the use of all the different bombs used against the Japanese from the B29 but were these cluster bombs used as extensively against their ground forces in the island campaigns from ground attack aircraft like they were in Europe?

[@frostedbutts4340]

Sure as hell not an expert but I figure they used more napalm and longer fused bombs in the Pacific since so many targets were in deep cover or fortifications.

[@mattwilliams3456]

Keith have you attended Bomber Camp?

[@WWIIUSBombers]

No, I have not.

[@mattwilliams3456]

@@WWIIUSBombers they really need to give you a free slot to attend and then have you provide some material for subsequent classes. Your knowledge of the minutia of the bomber world is quite impressive.

[@TheCrapOnYourStrapOn]

I love your channel. My comment will be deleted but I wanted to tell you

[@MikeHunt-rw4gf]

Algorithm.

[@theuglybiker]

The original Cluster F**k.

[@Jewclaw]

I love your channel. But I think it would do wonders for your channel if you made the information more digestible. No offense! I mean I love what your channel represents and I’m very interested in your content but it becomes work trying to digest it. You’re very monotone and everything comes out in the same rhythm and I just zone out very easily. I have to really pay attention to fully ingest the content and even then I’ll have to pause and rewind. Just some food for thought Again love you Channel just most of the time it becomes work to try and keep up

[@JohnDoe-oq8eh]

"What did we do to deserve this?" Well...

[@TJ24050]

11:32 seconds. I’m pretty sure the MK 2 and M41 fragmentation percentages are incorrectly swapped. Unless I’m totally misreading the info.

[@cryhavocandletslipthedogso1873]

This is the one review I would like to see an unboxing of. Think you can arrange that?

[@masterimbecile]

15:58 I guess this German soldier… did Nazi it coming.