Bomb Fuze type 24A in German GA and GA* mine

[Antoon]

The first German influence mine dropped by aircraft (German nomencleature unknown) was recovered on 23 November 1939 at Shoeburyness and had a bomb fuze 24A type. The British nomenclature was GA. After that a GA* mine was recovered (German nomenclatures unknown) that had also a 24A bomb fuze. The following one was a GB mine (German nomenclature unknown) with a 34A Bomb fuze. Al these 3 mines had six anti rolling horns on the nose.

In the Mine Disposal Handbook 1945 is written that the bomb fuze 24A had a 10 sec delay arming by a clockwork, and after that a pyrotechnic delay from unknown seconds. The later bomb fuzes 34A had a 5 seconds delay arming and after that a clockwork delay of 21 seconds.

Has someone info about the 24A bomb fuze that was used in the GA and GA* mine. I assume that the German nomenclature of the bomb fuze is Vz Z 24A. And who know the German nomenclature of the GA, GA* and GB mine. This is not Luftmine A.

Greetings - Antoon

 

[Dreamk]

Antoon Hi!
Some time ago i did a bit of work to try and clear the subject or German air dropped mines used in early stages of ww2, as there is indeed a full mess in the designations of these mines and a lot of cintradictions due to the fact that German designation covered various evolutions of the same mdel, while the British gave a designation to each different model identified. Moreover, Information found in US origin documentation apeears to be quite often erroneous. here is its summary:

LMA (British designation GD)
Magnetic mine captured by the British in July 1940. Later fitted with acoustic or acoustic/magnetic triggers. Weight 1,213 lbs. (550 kg) with a charge of 661 lbs. (300 kg). Had a 22 second delay impact fuze which detonated the mine if it fell in shallow water or dry land. An earlier version was designated by the British as GA (660 lb of high explosive packed into the forepart of the 1,130 lb mine).
Dark Green or Black

LMB (British designation GC)
Magnetic and acoustic mines. Late in 1944 some were fitted with pressure/acoustic triggers. Weight of 2,116 lbs. (960 kg) with a 1,554 lbs. (705 kg) charge. A later version was designated by the British as GB. Another version, the LMB/S was introduced in 1943 for S-boats.
Dark Green or Black

I have no more details (but would be delighted to learn more of these).

The photograph you posted is of the first German air dropped magnetic mine recovered on November 23, 1939 in the Thames estuary, which became the first one to be rendered safe by British EODs. This is another couple of views of this same mine showing more clearly the anti-rotation horns:

 

[Fusse2004]

Here are some pictures of the 24er