List of Japanese World War II navy bombs

This is a complete list of all aerial bombs used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Second World War.

A diagram of a Type 98 No.25 "Land Bomb" showing the typical construction of Japanese Navy land bombs, a thin walled steel cylinder with a nose and tail screwed and welded on.

Types

The Japanese navy produced a large number of different types of bombs, these were sub-divided into three main categories:

  • Land bombs - for use against land targets. They were normally not produced to a high standard consisting of a simple cylindrical case, riveted or welded to a cast steel nose.
  • Ordinary bombs - for use against ships. They were produced in general purpose and semi-armor-piercing types. They were of higher quality and generally had a smooth machined case
  • Special bombs - for various purposes.

Color coding system

Bomb type/
mark
Marking scheme Alternate marking scheme Purpose
Nose color
/ band color
Body
color
Tail
color
Body band
color
Nose color
/ band color
Body
color
Tail
color
Body band
color
LandGreenGreyGreenBlueGreen / BlueGreyGrey-Land targets.
OrdinaryGreenGreyGreen-Green / BlueGreyGrey-Ship targets.
DummyGreen / BlackWhiteWhite--Dummy bomb
PracticeGreenBlackWhite-Green / BlackWhiteWhite-Training.
Training Black overall ----Training.
SmokeGreen / BlackGreyGrey-----For concealing ships.
Mark 1Green / YellowGreyYellow-----Chemical gas bomb.
Mark 2BlueGreyBlue-Green / BlueGreyGrey-Anti-submarine.
Mark 3SilverGreySilver-Green / SilverGreyRed-For air-to-air bombing.
Mark 4Green / WhiteGreyRed-----Rocket bomb. For dive bombing capital ships.
Mark 5Green / WhiteGreyGrey-----Armor-piercing bomb. For use against capital ships.
Mark 6Green / RedGreyRed-----Incendiary.
Mark 7Green / PurpleGreyPurple-----Bacillus bomb.
Mark 8Green / BrownGreyGrey-----Anti-shipping skip bomb
Mark 19--------Special bomb used by fighters against bomber formations, redesignated as Mark 28
Mark 21Green / BrownGreyGrey-----Cluster of small bombs
Mark 22--------Cluster of spike bombs
Mark 23Green / BrownGreyGrey-----Time delay bomb
Mark 24--------Cluster of parachute bombs
Mark 25--------Cluster of wedge bombs
Mark 26--------Unproduced time bomb design.
Mark 27Green / SilverGrey/Red------Phosphorus rocket bomb for use against bomber formations.
Mark 28Green / BrownSilverRed-----Rocket type bomb 10 kg high-explosive.
Mark 31GreyGreyGrey-----Land type bomb. Uses an influence fuze.

Bombs

DesignationTypeWeightContent weightContent type [1]ConstructionLengthSuspension lugsNoseTailFuzeNotes
No.6Land Bomb(140 lb) 63.5 kgPicric acid or later Type 98 explosive (mod 1)Cast steelType 2 Model 2 mod 0 or mod 1Obsolete during the war. Case is similar to the Type 99 No. 6 Mk. 2[2]
Type 97 No.6Land Bomb124 lb50 lbPicric acid or Type 98 explosiveWelded and riveted 1/4 inch steel40 inchesHorizontal navy typeCast steel7⅞ inches long sheet steelA-3(a)Capable of penetrating 200 mm of reinforced concrete [2]
Type 2 No.6 Model 5Land Bomb132 lb (approx)Five 7 kg high-explosive bombs with bursting chargeSheet 1/16 inch steel42 inchesHorizontal navy type-16¼ inchesA-3 (a) or A-3 (b)
No.25Land Bomb550 lb330 lbType 98 explosiveWelded and riveted 1/4 inch steel72 inchesHorizontal navy typeCast steel36.5 inch long sheet steelA-3 (a), A-3 (b), C-2 (a), C-1 (a)Designed in 1938, production ceased early in the Second World War [2]
Type 98 No.25Land Bomb532 lb211 lbPicric acid or Type 98 explosiveWelded and riveted 1/2 inch steel72 inchesHorizontal navy typeCast steel32.5 inch long sheet steelA-3 (a), A-3 (b), C-2 (a), C-1 (a)The bomb was used by Japanese forces at the Battle of Midway.[3] Designed in 1937 adopted in 1938. Capable of penetrating 400 mm of reinforced concrete.[2]
No.80Land Bomb1,760 lb842 lbPicric acid or Type 98 explosiveWelded and riveted 1/2 inch steel113 inchesHorizontal, two guide studs, and carrying bandCast steel41 inch long 1/8 inch steelA-1 (c), B-3 (b), A-3 (d)The bomb was used by Japanese forces at the Battle of Midway.[3] The bomb was designed in 1937 and adopted in 1938, and will penetrate 400 mm of reinforced concrete.[2]
Type 99 No.25Ordinary Bomb550 lb132 lbType 91 explosive (Trinitroanisol)One piece of machine forged 3/4 inch steel68 inchesHorizontal navy type-28 inch long 1/16 inch steelA-3 (a), A-3 (b), B-2 (a)Designed in 1938 and adopted in 1939, it is capable of penetrating 50 mm of armor.[2]
Type 2 No. 50 Model 1Ordinary Bomb1,100 lb148 lbCast blocks of Type 98 explosiveOne piece of machine forged steel 1 to 7.5 inches thick78 inchesHorizontal, two guide studs and suspension band-39.5 inch long sheet steelA-3 (f), B-2 (a)Teardrop shaped
No.80 Model 1Ordinary Bomb1,820 lb770 lbType 91 explosiveOne piece of machine forged steel 0.75 inch thick111.5 inchesHorizontal, two guide studs, and suspension band-49 inch long 5/32 inch thick steelA-1 (c), A-3 (c), A-3 (d), tail: B-3 (b)
No.3 Model 2Ordinary Bomb70 lb?Picric acid [4]One piece of machined steel33 inchesHorizontal stud on either side of the body-13.25 inchesA-1 (a), A-3 (a)Teardrop shaped. Obsolete since the early stages of the war.
No.6 Model 2Ordinary Bomb139 lb65 lbPicric acidOne piece of machined steel42.5 inchesHorizontal stud on either side of the body-17 inchesA-1 (a), A-3 (a)Teardrop shaped. Production ceased sometime between 1940 and 1941, although they continued to be used.[2]
No.25 Model 2Ordinary Bomb557 lb228 lbPicric acidOne piece of machined steel 5/8 inch thick71.5 inchesHorizontal, navy type-27 inchesA-3 (a), B-3 (a)Teardrop shaped. The bomb was used by Japanese forces at the Battle of Midway[3]
No.50 Model 2Ordinary Bomb1080 lb457.5 lbType 98 explosiveOne piece of machined steel 4 to 0.5 inches thick90 inchesHorizontal, two guide studs and suspension band-33 inchesA-3 (a), B-3 (a)Teardrop shaped
Type 99 No.6 Mk 2-140 lb85 lbType 98 explosiveCast nose plug welded to a 3/16 inch thick cylindrical body42 inchesHorizontal, two guide studs and suspension band-21 inchesA-3 (a)A Mod 1 version of the bomb was also produced with a cylindrical steel anti-ricochet attachment spot welded to the nose giving it a blunt profile.
Type 1 No.25 Mk 2 Model 1-572 lb317 lbType 98 explosiveCast nose welded to a 1/4 inch thick cylindrical body72 inchesHorizontal, two guide studs and suspension band-21.5 inches followed
by a 15-inch plywood extension
A-3 (a), B-3 (a)A Mod 1 version of the bomb was also produced with a cylindrical steel anti-ricochet attachment spot welded to the nose giving it a blunt profile.
Type 99 No.80 Mk 5Armor-piercing1,641 lb [5]66 lbType 91 explosiveSingle piece of machined forged steel 4 inches thick at the nose and two at the tail95.5 inchesTwo guide studs and suspension band-43⅜ inchesTwo B-2 (b) tail fuzesTear drop shaped bomb, eight recesses around the nose could allow the fitting of a wind shield if used as a projectile. Adopted in 1941, basically a converted 40 cm AP shell, capable of penetrating 150 mm of armor.[2]
Type 2 No.80 Mk 5Armor-piercing1,760 lb (approx)100 lb (approx)Type 91 explosiveSingle piece of machined forged steel-Two B-2 (b) tail fuzesIntended to supersede the Type 99 No.80. Not produced in large numbers. Designed in 1939, and adopted in 1942.[2]
Type 3 No.150 Mk 5Armor-piercing3,300 lb (approx)200 lb (approx)Type 91 explosiveSingle piece of machined forged steel-Two B-2 (b) type tail fuzesIntended to supersede the Type 99 No.80. Not produced in large numbers. Designed in 1942 and tested in 1944, was in experimental production at the end of the war.[2]
Type 3 No.25 Mk 8 model 1649 lb (approx)263 lb (approx)Type 97 explosiveCast steel nose, welded to cylindrical body 0.5 inches thick67 inchesHorizontal type navyCast steel27⅜ inches longA-3 (a)
Type 3 No.6 Mk 23 model 1143 lb (approx)50 lb (approx)Type 98 explosive
or Picric acid
Cast steel nose, welded and riveted to cylindrical body 0.25 inches thick40.75 inchesNormal type navyCast steel with anti-riccochet cone18½ inches longC-2 (a)
Type 4 No.25 Mk 29Air-to-air bomb--Explosive with white phosphorus filled steel pelletsSheet steel with wooden blocks in the nose----D-2(a) fuzeUnder development at the end of the war to replace No.25 Mk 3 for use against bomber formations, having a larger explosive charge and less incendiary shrapnel.
Type 3 No.25 Mk 31 Model 1Airburst378 lb175 lbType 98 explosiveSheet steel cylinder 0.5 inches thick with blunt nose62 inchesNormal navy typeBlunt steel with flange32 inchesType 3 electric firing device B-3(a)Type 3 fuze triggers the bomb at a height of about 7 meters using an electro optical sensor.
Type 3 No.80 Mk 31 Model 1Airburst1,584 lb922 lbType 98 explosive cast into blocksSheet steel cylinder 9/16 inches thick with blunt nose113 inchesTwo guide studs and a suspension bandBlunt steel with flange41 inchesType 3 electric firing device B-3(b)Type 3 fuze triggers the bomb at a height of about 7 meters using an electro optical sensor.
Type 5 No.25 Mk 33Airburst--Explosive with a layer of cylindrical steel fragments---Rounded with plummet fuze holder-Plummet electrical fuze with backup Type 15 model 2 fuzeThe bomb uses four retarding drogue plates that are opened by an atmospheric pressure fuze to slow descent and release the all-ways plummet fuze, which is suspended by a twenty-meter silk-clad copper to the main bomb. When the plummet fuze touches the ground the bomb is triggered.

[6]

Ordnance used in Pearl Harbor attack. Left: Type 98 #25 land bomb. Middle: Type 91 modification 2 Torpedo. Right: Type 99 #80 Mark 5 High-altitude armor-piercing bomb.

Rocket bombs

The Japanese produced a number of bombs with rocket motors installed, intended for air-to-air use against bomber formations, or as armor-piercing weapons. Only two saw service, the Type 3 No.25 Mk 4 armor-piercing rocket bomb, and the Type 3 No.6 Mk.27 air-to-air rocket bomb.

ModelWeightDescription
Type 3 No.25 Mk 4 Mod 1 315 kg Work on this design began in 1935 and production commenced in 1943. 1.9 meters long, the bomb is an armor-piercing design, with a thick forged steel nose. The bomb attained a speed of about 100 meters per second when launched. The principal drawback was the small 3.5-kilogram bursting charge.
Type 5 No.1 Mk 9 Mod 1 33 lb An experimental design, intended for use against surfaced submarines. The bomb carried 2.2 pounds of explosives, and had a velocity of about 230 meters per second. Experiments were conducted in June 1944, and it was adopted in 1945. Production had started at the end of the war, but it had not been used. Capable of penetrating up to 25 mm of armor.[2]
Type 3 No.6 Mk 9 185 lb An experimental design, intended for use against landing craft and small ships. The bomb carried 22 pounds of explosives, and had a velocity of about 230 meters per second.
Type 3 No.6 Mk 27 145 lb An anti-aircraft rocket that replaced the Type 99 No.3 Mk.3 in air-to-air bombing. It consisted of a large rocket motor with a 5.5 pound incendiary shrapnel warhead triggered by a clockwork time fuze with an adjustable delay of up to 10 seconds. The rocket had a maximum velocity of around 270 m/s, and the warhead contained 140 iron pellets with white phosphorus embedded in them, these were scattered in a 60 degree cone when the warhead was triggered. The bomb was designed in January 1944 and adopted in February 1945.[2]
Type 3 No.1 Mk 28 20 lb An experimental anti-aircraft rocket with a 1.32-pound high-explosive warhead. Experiments were conducted in late 1944. This rocket used 2 kg of propellent and had a maximum velocity of 400 m/s.

Incendiary bombs

  • Type 99 No.3 Mk 3
  • Type 3 No.6 Mk 3 bomb model 1
  • Type 2 No.25 Mk 3 bomb model 1
  • Type 98 No.7 Mk 6 bomb model 1
  • Type 98 No.7 Mk 6 bomb model 2
  • Type 1 No.7 Mk 6 bomb model 3 mod 1

~ Type 45 No.44 Mk 6 bomb model 1

Gas bombs

  • No. 6 Mk 1
  • Type 1 No.6 Mk.1
  • Type 4 No.6 Mk 1

Cluster type bombs

  • Type 2 No.6 Mk 21 bomb model 1
  • Type 2 No.6 Mk 21 bomb model 2
  • 1 kg hollow-charge bomb
  • 1 kg anti-personnel bomb

Practice bombs

  • 1 kg Practice bomb Mod 2
  • 1 kg Practice bomb Mod 3
  • No.3 Practice bomb Model 1
  • Type 99 No.3 Practice bomb

Flares

  • Type 96 landing flare
  • Landing flare
  • 5 kg parachute flare Model 2 mod 1
  • Type 0 parachute flare Model 1
  • Type 0 parachute flare Model 1 mod 1
  • Type 0 parachute flare Model 2
  • Type 0 parachute flare Model 3 mod 1
  • Experimental model 11 parachute flare
  • Type 94 float light
  • Experimental float light
  • Type 94 model 2 float light
  • Type 0 model 1 float light

Smoke floats and markers

  • 2 kg smoke float
  • 43 kg smoke float
  • Type 0 Model 1 sea marker
  • Type 0 Model 2 sea marker
  • Cardboard type sea marker
  • Type 3 No.6 target marker bomb
  • Type 2 2 kg target indicator

Misc

  • 2 kg Window (Chaff) bomb

Fuzes

Japanese Navy bomb fuzes designation system was unknown to the Allies until after the end of the Second World War. As a result, a designation system was created to describe the fuzes as follows. It consists of a capital letter, a numeral and a lower-case parenthetical letter.

The capital letter designates the fuzes type as follows:

  • A - nose impact
  • B - tail impact
  • C - long delay fuze
  • D - airburst fuze
  • E - protective fuze

The numeral approximates the order in which the fuzes were captured by the allies. Finally the lower-case letter in parentheses indicates the different but similar designs.

Where possible the original Japanese designation is given.

  • A-1(a)
  • A-1(b)
  • A-1(c)
  • A-3(a) Type 97 Mk 2 nose fuze
  • A-3(b) Type 1 nose fuze model 2
  • A-3(c) Type 2 nose indicator
  • A-3(d) Type 97 Mk 2 nose fuze Model 1
  • A-3(e) Type 3 nose indicator
  • A-3(f) Type 2 No.50 Ordinary bomb fuze model 1
  • A-3(g)
  • A-5(a)
  • B-2(a) Type 99 No.25 Ordinary bomb fuze
  • B-2(b) Type 99 No.80 Mk 5 Bomb fuze
  • B-3(a) Type 15 tail fuze model 2
  • B-3(b) Type 15 tail fuze model 1
  • B-5(b)
  • B-5(c)
  • B-6(a) Type 97 rail initiator
  • B-9(a) tail fuze
  • B-10(a) tail fuze
  • C-1(a) Type 99 special bomb fuze
  • C-2(a) Type 99 special bomb nose fuze
  • D-2(a)
  • D-2(b)
  • D-2(c)
  • D-3(a)
  • D-4(a) parachute flare fuze
  • Type 3 electric firing device

See also

References

  1. See List of List of Japanese World War II explosives for explanation of various explosive types
  2. Japanese Bombs, "Intelligence Targets Japan" (DNI) of September 1945. U.S. Naval technical mission to Japan. December 1945.
  3. "THE JAPANESE STORY OF THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY". ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence). 1947. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
  4. TM 9-1985-4 notes this as probably
  5. Excluding weight of tail
  6. TM 9-1985-4, Japanese Explosive Ordnance
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