British practice bombs are of three types, differing in weight and material, but all are of the same shape. The dimensions are—length 16–18 in. maximum diameter 3 in., tail vanes 3 in. long and all have a small lug approximately 5 in. from the nose. However, by designing bombs that had a whistle-like attachment, the Germans were utilizing psychological warfare as much as physical warfare. The whistle became associated with death from above, and since the bombing raids in London and other European cities were often done in the middle of the night, that wailing cry became a nightmare-inducing and anxiety-striking sound. Survivors of the London bombing still remember those hauntingwhistles of death from their underground shelters. a) Hs 293 ( see Figure 7): A midwing monoplane glider with underslung jet-propulsive unit attached by a cast tripod. The total span is about 10 ft., and the overall length about 10 ft. 6 in. The fuselage comprises the nose, containing bomb of the 500 kg. type with kopfring 1 ft. 7 in. diameter; the centre, housing the radio control; and the tail unit. The glider is noiseless in flight except for a slight hum, and is fitted with a device for destroying the radio-control apparatus should the bomb fail to explode on impact. The main range of German high explosive bombs is illustrated in Figures 1–9; tabulated in Appendix A and detailed below. The whistles were purposefully attached to the bombs. Their purpose was to weaken enemy morale and to enhance the intimidation of dive-bombing. Look at the Stuka dive-bomber, a similar case. What other purpose did it's sirens have? As far as warning the target, it's too late to get to safety once you hear the whistle if you're not there already (bombs fall fast). Not all bombs were equipped with whistles, but they still all made noise as they fell due to air displacement (just not the famous whistling sound).

Overall length (including the overhang of, propulsion unit)—25 ft. 4 in. Where the numeral used corresponds with an H.E. bomb of the same weight, e.g. AB 250, AB or ABB 500, and AB 1000, the container occupies the same stowage space as the equivalent H.E. bomb, i.e. 250 kg., 500 kg. or 1000 kg. ​The containers are listed below in four tables divided according to the bomb stowage space occupied.Type A are thin case steel bombs of 50, 250, 500, 1,000, 1,200 and 1,800 kg. They are distinguished by a yellow stripe painted on the tail vanes and/or on the tail cone, or by the tail cone being painted yellow all over. (German marking, SC.) According to Science ABC , Gravity's Rainbow - the great novel in World War II by Thomas Pynchon - begins with one of the most memorable sentences in literature. A scream echoed in the sky. It happened before, but nothing to compare with now. It is too late. The photographic flash-bomb is similar in weight and dimensions to the 4·5 in. flare and contains a very dangerous explosive. An embossed plate on the body is marked "FLASH" in large letters. The closing dome and tail fins are painted red. The parachutes may be white, red or camouflage colouring and bear the mark " Kurt Peterhansel." A flare parachute, however, has been reported marked " Nicolaus," and other markings may be found. The most common type of flame float is the cylindrical wooden body fitted with a metal nose and tail fin assembly. It is 13 in. long overall, 3 in. diameter, and contains a flare composition.

Apart from the extreme nose of the fuselage and the elevators and the rudder, which are of light metal, the structure is entirely of steel, the fuselage being in sections bolted together. The central section of the fuselage comprises a cylindrical steel fuel tank of 150 gallons capacity behind which is a compartment containing two wire-bound spheres 1 ft. 9¼ in. diameter, filled with compressed air. In front of the fuel 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. The cylinder has the effect of a brake, delaying the fall of the mine through air or water. The mine itself remains externally unchanged. The metal segments, of which some. may bear the markings B.V.3., and other components of the false nose (see Figure 29) may be found intact at some distance from the mine.On the Eastern Front, the Soviets had a female night-bombing corps flying old wood-and-canvas biplanes. The engines would be turned off while over enemy lines, adding a healthy dose of paranoia to the stress of being bombed. Well, yes, but it really doesn’t matter because the people don’t know where the bomb will strike plus there’s not enough time to take proper shelter. v) Another small type enclosed in an aluminium casing 13¼ in. long, 2.4 in. diameter with no markings. The nose is recessed 2 in. to hold a pull percussion igniter. This flare is attached to a parachute by a wire cable 36 in. long.