Tondern Raid Bombs

[Ian Burns]

Most sources refer to a 50-lb bomb, sometimes also named as a Cooper Bomb, being used during the Tondern Raid in 1918.

Each Camel flying off HMS Furious carried two of these 50-lb bombs.

The Official Reports of the raid are remarkably vague and uninformative on the subject.

However, W G Moore in Early Bird (p.125) says they were 'specially made 60-lb Cooper Bombs'. This seems unlikely, but not impossible.

Another point I would like clarification on. The Sopwith 2F1 Camel could be fitted with a rack for four 20-lb Coopers. Carrying two 50-lb bombs would have required either a modified or special bomb rack.

Any information, opinions, photographs or drawings would be most welcome.