High Capacity Bombs (HC)

• 2,000 lb.. HC

  Introduced in early 1942 and designed to be dropped with the use of a parachute. Results were proved to be a disappointment as the parachute made the bomb almost impossible to aim accurately. The bomb was redesigned at the Command's request and incorporated the use of a ballistic tall unit. The new variant became available for use in August of 1942 and remained a part of the Command's general inventory throughout the remainder of the war.

• 4,000 lb.. (Cookie) HC

  Although over 400 of the type had been dropped, the type was not officially part of the Command's inventory until January 1942. Used primarily against built up areas, the bomb effectively destroyed or heavily damaged everything within close proximity to its impact point and was often used in the opening stages of a major attack in order to open up (blow roofs off and windows in) the buildings within the target area. This in turn allowed for the incendiary bombs dropped in the following attack waves to have ample fuel in which to ignite and burn.

• 8,000 lb.. HC

  The 8,000 lb.. HC was developed by joining two 4,000 lb.. HC bomb together and were deployed against similar targets as the smaller 4,000 lb.. HC type.

• 12,000 lb.. HC

  Often confused with the 12,000 lb.."Tallboy," the 12,000 lb.. HC bomb was the largest variant of the 4,000 lb.. HC type. However, unlike its smaller relatives it was use primarily against special precision targets such as canals or factories.