"Highball" - A summary of the development trials from January 1943 to May 1944
- 6 years ago
Barnes Wallis' April 1942 paper "Spherical Bomb — Surface Torpedo" described a method of attack in which a weapon would be bounced across water until it struck its target, then sinking to explode underwater, much like a depth charge.
Bouncing it across the surface would allow it to be aimed directly at its target, while avoiding underwater defences, as well as some above the surface, and such a weapon would take advantage of the "bubble pulse" effect typical of underwater explosions, greatly increasing its effectiveness: Wallis's paper identified suitable targets as hydro-electric dams "and floating vessels moored in calm waters.
The footage shows testing of the Highball bouncing bomb, developed in parallel to the infamous Upkeep bomb, at Ashley Walk Bomb Range and Loch Striven, England.
Bouncing it across the surface would allow it to be aimed directly at its target, while avoiding underwater defences, as well as some above the surface, and such a weapon would take advantage of the "bubble pulse" effect typical of underwater explosions, greatly increasing its effectiveness: Wallis's paper identified suitable targets as hydro-electric dams "and floating vessels moored in calm waters.
The footage shows testing of the Highball bouncing bomb, developed in parallel to the infamous Upkeep bomb, at Ashley Walk Bomb Range and Loch Striven, England.