[1 of 5]
January 2, 1945.
It is around this time in the fight that the proximity fuze (a highly guarded secret developed through British/US cooperation in the early stages of WWII) saw it first use against German ground troops in the Battle of the Bulge.
January 2, 1945.
It is around this time in the fight that the proximity fuze (a highly guarded secret developed through British/US cooperation in the early stages of WWII) saw it first use against German ground troops in the Battle of the Bulge.
[2 of 5]
The fuze allowed our artillery greater effectiveness against troops in the open.
The proximity (or "VT") fuze exploded at a preset distance in the air, allowing gunners to fire shells to explode over German positions, showering them with deadly shell fragments.
The fuze allowed our artillery greater effectiveness against troops in the open.
The proximity (or "VT") fuze exploded at a preset distance in the air, allowing gunners to fire shells to explode over German positions, showering them with deadly shell fragments.
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Patton in a letter to the War Department during the Battle of the Bulge: "The new shell with the funny fuze is devastating. I'm glad you all thought of it first."
Patton in a letter to the War Department during the Battle of the Bulge: "The new shell with the funny fuze is devastating. I'm glad you all thought of it first."
[4 of 5]
We should note that the effectiveness of the proximity fuze during the fight is a matter of dispute.
We should also note that VT = variable time
We should note that the effectiveness of the proximity fuze during the fight is a matter of dispute.
We should also note that VT = variable time
[END]
Final note:
Artillery air bursts were used by US artillery back in WWI (and even before that by the Royal Artillery), but the War Department did not allow Allied field artillery to employ the proximity fuze until Ike demanded their employment at the end of 1944.
Final note:
Artillery air bursts were used by US artillery back in WWI (and even before that by the Royal Artillery), but the War Department did not allow Allied field artillery to employ the proximity fuze until Ike demanded their employment at the end of 1944.
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