Extinguishing Incendiary Bombs

WWI. Incendiary bombs developed at that period were not very effective and comparatively easy to extinguish (Vol 2, p B243-R)... 

Bombs, Incendiary, Extinguishing of. Bombs of the incendiary type were introduced during WWI but they were not effective and were comparatively easy to extinguish. In fact, some fires caused by explosive bombs striking near flammable materials were more difficult to extinguish because the destruction and debris which were wrought by the expln made it practically impossible for fire fighters to reach the seat of the fire. As explosive bombs ate heavier, not as many can be carried by a plane as incendiary bombs... 

Still another device used to extinguish a small incendiary bomb was a snuffer. It consisted of a large cup(dome) about l%ft in diam, made of a wire mesh sprayed inside and outside with asbestos fiber. The cup was attached in an inverted position to the end of a long rod and when placed over the burning bomb, smothered it(Ref l,p 118 Ref 4,... 

In line with this approach, the CWS, at the request of representatives of the National Board of Fire Underwriters, conducted a demonstration at Edgewood Arsenal on 9 October 1940, at which magnesium and oil incendiary bombs were ignited and extinguished. This demonstration was the first of hundreds staged by the CWS during the war to inform civilians about the character of incendiary bombs and the methods of handling them. 

Bombs, Electron. See under Bombs, Incendiary, Extinguishing of... 

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