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9 (b) Incendiary Bombs (I.B.)

(i)

The principal German incendiary bomb so far used against this country has been the 1 kg. magnesium bomb with a thermite filling as illustrated in Figure 10. This bomb is the colour of aluminium, or may be spray-painted yellow-green, with markings both on the side and on the flat nose.

If when found unignited the holes near the nose are covered with insulating tape the detonator in the nose is probably still "live."

'''Do not tamper with any of these unignited bombs. Fatal accidents have occurred by so doing.'''

This bomb has remained the same in basic principles since the commencement of hostilities, but the following variations in pattern should be noted:—



Type with explosive charge in the tail (Exp. I.B.)

These have an explosive charge contained in a small metal cylinder about 1 in. in diameter and 1¼ in. long, screwed into the tapered or tail end (see Figure 10). This cylinder will be covered by the tail vanes if they are still in position when the bomb is found unignited. Typical markings, as found on both those with and those without the explosive charge, are seen in the illustration. The marking SODA II indicates a variation in the type of filling.

Type with steel nose (S.N.I.B.)

In this type the nose plug housing the striker, which is normally made of electron, has been replaced by a steel nose plug. This modification increases the weight of the bomb by 12 oz.

Instead of the usual marking AZ 8312, the plug is stamped AZ 1.3 A or AZ (1.3) A. Specimens of this type have been found painted