ARmy Rumour SErvice

Originally Posted by eodmatt

Indeed and I wonder if the reason for that was the CEP factor that meant aiming directly at the structure decreased the likelihood of "missing by a mile". As it was, 617 Sqn's bombing accuracy had improved dramatically since the early days and so they hit the target dead on. Alternatively of course it may just be that someone calculated that enough damage would be caused from a direct hit by such a large (albeit classified as an MC bomb) weapon. Also, it may be that the U Boat pens were such a large structure that camouflets would have a peripheral effect rather than be devastating to the whole structure.

Give the poor bombing accuracy evident during WW2, big bombs landing nearby that shook the earth were the best that could be hoped for on certain key targets.

But, as I mentionned earlier, there has been a marked shift away from huge explosive power rocking your world to an attempt to put a smaller charge precisely into a protected location.

It wasn't just during WW2, bombing accuracy didn't improve until towards the end of the Vietnam war with the advent of "smart" bombs.

Interestingly one of the drivers for the new and smaller "penetrator" bombs is that it should be capable of being delivered by "affordable aircraft". Hence in 2010 the USAF released a broad spec requirement for a "next generation penetrator munition" which would be smaller than the current (up to 30,000 lbs) penetrators, but as effective or more effective.

I met a French naval captain in 1961 who, after we had thawed him out with what for a small minesweeper was a fairly spectacular lunch, told us that he lived in one of only two pre-war houses in Brest. The U-boat pens there (and others I saw St Nazaire) were absolutely vast and where there was any doubt about their security the Germans just worked more Slav PoW slave labourers to death shovelling even more concrete onto the top.

Displays etc of Wallis (met him on a school trip to his drawing office once) and his bombs (and much else) at Brooklands Museum

Originally Posted by Kromeriz

IMHO, the irreconcilable position of Isreal will be it's own down fall when funding from America is withdrawn as must happen.

Once read an interesting an historically apposite article in the economist once which compared Israel to the fall of the Crusader state in the middle ages.

It's probably still out there if you are interested.

Originally Posted by CRmeansCeilingReached

what if the casing is too strong for the charge? that just made me think of this

I love that clip. So much so I used it in a briefing, rather unwisely as I received some words of advice for that when the sense of humour wasn't shared.

Oddly though I suspect a use of such conventional ordinance will lead to a use of such unconventional ordinance, as demonstrated. Shame to take it out on e VW Golf, nice cars them.

Gone a bit quiet over in the US. 6 months ago they were accusing the Iranians of conspiracy to murder the Saudi ambassador or something similar, that's all gone a bit quiet. Maybe they need a new casus belli?

Ordnance!

Originally Posted by Boumer

Once read an interesting an historically apposite article in the economist once which compared Israel to the fall of the Crusader state in the middle ages.

It's probably still out there if you are interested.

I love that clip. So much so I used it in a briefing, rather unwisely as I received some words of advice for that when the sense of humour wasn't shared.

Oddly though I suspect a use of such conventional ordinance will lead to a use of such unconventional ordinance, as demonstrated. Shame to take it out on e VW Golf, nice cars them.

Gone a bit quiet over in the US. 6 months ago they were accusing the Iranians of conspiracy to murder the Saudi ambassador or something similar, that's all gone a bit quiet. Maybe they need a new casus belli?

Maybe you are right. So far we've had the Domino Theory and WMD. I look forward to the next scam.

Originally Posted by eodmatt

Interestingly one of the drivers for the new and smaller "penetrator" bombs is that it should be capable of being delivered by "affordable aircraft".

or just use a missile.

Originally Posted by eodmatt

Maybe you are right. So far we've had the Domino Theory and WMD. I look forward to the next scam.

Errrm!!!

1. Israeli claims that suicide bombers in Bulgaria were supported and trained in Iran by al-Quds.
2. In increase in rocket attacks on Israel that is blamed on Iran.
3. Arms WMD supplies to Bashar al-Assad.
4. The Iranian navy exercising in international waters.

I know. But rehashing the old ones are always better at ramping up indignation amongst the coalition of willing hand-wringing liberals and the outrageous right-wing wanting to be outraged.