The Mines of Bomber Command

Mk. I-IV - 1,500 lbs. and 1,850 lbs.

First introduced for Bomber Command Operations in April 1940, the Mk. I - IV was sturdily built and designed to withhstand
drops from aircraft flying at 200 mph at altitudes varying from 100 to 15,000 feet. Containing approximately 750 lbs. of
explosives the mine could be detonated using various triggering devices depending on the application required. The type along
with the Mk. V and VII became the standard mine used by the Command until being replaced by the Mk. VI in 1944.

Mk. V - 1,000 lbs.

Introduced into service sometime during 1940-41 this mine was a smaller version of the Mk. I-IV. Containing between 625
lbs. and 675 lbs. of explosives this mine was usually detonated using magnetic triggers, although it could be configured to use
our triggering devices.

Mk. VI - 2,000 lbs.

A similar mine to the of the Mk. I-IV in that it could be configured in various ways to detonate. This mine differed only in that it
contained 2,000 lbs. of explosives in comparison to the 750 lbs. of the Mk. I-IV.

Mk. VII - 1,000 lbs.

Introduced in 1944, the Mk.VII was an improved version on the Mk.V although no increase in the size of explosive charge
was made.

Loading mines into a Stirling bomber.