Originally Posted by
WHBM
I see the map shows separately HE bombs (freefall) and parachute mines. Apart from the delivery method, what was the difference ?
Free fall bombs were (for the most part) smaller and more importantly, fused to detonate either upon impact or after a predetermined period of time.
Parachute mines were large airburst blast effect weapons intended to maximise damage over as wide an area as possible. The particular intention was for the blast to lift the roofs of houses and factories in order to allow incendiary bombs to better access roof cavities and beyond. Detonation of the weapon at the optimum altitude was achieved by trailing an earthing wire of the desired length below the mine. When the cable earthed upon touching the ground, bang, wallop!