What is a phosphor bomb? Phosphorus bombs are consequences. The action of a phosphorous bomb

With the development of aviation equipment used to conduct combat operations, ammunition was required, capable of engaging enemy ground forces on a large territory. Incendiary bombs appeared on the eve of the First World War. These were primitive devices, consisting of a container with kerosene and an inertial fuse, the basis for which was an ordinary rifle cartridge.

In the 30s of the last century, so-called phosphoric balls were used for bombing. Filling for them served as yellow phosphorus in the form of granules measuring 15-20 mm. When the ball was dropped, it was set on fire, and closer to the ground burning particles of phosphorus, the shell was gone, crumbled, covering a huge rainfall with a fiery rain. The method of spraying the set pellets from special aircraft tanks at a low altitude was also used.

During the Second World War, mankind first learned what a phosphorous bomb was like in the form in which it exists today. It was a container filled with phosphoric balls weighing from 100 to 300 grams, with a total mass of up to one ton. Such a munition was dropped from a height of about 2 km and exploded 300 m from the ground. Nowadays, incendiary phosphorus-based shells in the strongest armies of the world occupy an essential part of the entire ammunition used for bombing.

White phosphorus

Among all the combustible substances used in incendiary ammunition, white phosphorus occupies a special place. This is due to its unique chemical properties and primarily with a combustion temperature reaching 800-1000 degrees Celsius. Another important factor is the ability of this substance to self-ignite when interacting with oxygen in the air. Burning, white phosphorus emits a thick poisonous smoke, which also causes burns of the internal airways and poisoning of the body.

A dose of 0.05-0.1 g is lethal to humans. White phosphorus is produced artificially by the interaction of phosphorites or apatites with silica and coke at a temperature of 1600 degrees. Outwardly it looks like paraffin, easily deformed and cut, which makes it very convenient for equipping any ammunition. There are also bombs stuffed with plasticized white phosphorus. Plastification is achieved by adding a viscous solution of synthetic rubber.

Kinds of incendiary phosphoric ammunition

Today, there are several types of weapons, the damaging substance in which is white phosphorus:

• Air bombs;
• Rockets;
• Artillery shells;
• Mortar shells;
• Hand grenades.

The most dangerous are the first two types of ammunition, since they have a greater potential for the rest.

What is a phosphor bomb?

Modern phosphorous bombs are aircraft munitions consisting of a hull, a fuel filler in the form of white phosphorus or a complex charge of several mixtures, as well as a mechanism for its ignition. They can be divided into two types according to the way they operate: in the air and after impact against the surface. The first are driven by a controlled detonator, based on the required altitude and flight speed of the aircraft, the latter explode directly upon impact.

The hull of such an air bomb is often made of a combustible alloy called "electron", consisting of magnesium and aluminum, which burns together with the mixture. Often, other flammable substances, for example napalm or termite, are added to the phosphorus, which significantly increases the burning temperature of the mixture. The action of a phosphorous bomb is similar to a bomb explosion filled with napalm. The combustion temperatures of both substances are approximately the same (800-1000 degrees), but for phosphorus and napalm in modern ammunition this figure exceeds 2000 ^˚ С.

In the armament of the Air Force of some armies, there are cluster incendiary aerial bombs, which are a special container filled with dozens of small bombs. The discarded container is controlled by the on-board surveillance system and is opened, being at a certain altitude, which allows the main ammunition to hit the target more accurately. In order to understand what a phosphorous bomb is in action, one must be aware of the danger posed by its damaging factors.

Disruptive factors

When using white phosphorus as a combustible substance for an air bomb, several striking factors are obtained:

• A strong flame from the burning of the mixture at temperatures up to 2000 ° C, causing burns, terrible injuries and painful death;
• Poisonous gas that stimulates spasms and burns the airways;
• Burnout of oxygen in the area of application, leading to suffocation;
• Psychological shock caused by what he saw.

A small phosphorous bomb, blown up at the correct altitude, hits an area of 100-200 square meters, covering everything around with fire. Getting on the human body, particles of burning slag and phosphorus stick and charring organic tissues. You can stop burning by blocking the access of oxygen.

Special phosphorus bombs are also used to defeat the enemy, who is in cover. The combustible mixture heated to 1500-2000 ^˚ C is capable of burning up the armor and even concrete floors, and considering that at this temperature the oxygen in the air quickly burns out, there is practically no chance to survive, hiding in the basement, dugout or other shelter.

It was from strangulation that hundreds of peaceful Vietnamese residents died during one of the bombings of the US Air Force. These people found death in pre-dug dugouts, not having a clue about what a phosphorous bomb is.

Consequences of the use of phosphorus munitions

When burning napalm and phosphorus, a lot of toxic chemicals are released into the atmosphere, among them dioxin is a powerful poisonous substance with strong carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. During the Vietnam campaign, American aviation actively used napalm and phosphorous bombs. The effects of the combustion products of these substances on the human body can be observed in our time. In the areas that were subjected to such bombings, even today children with serious deviations and mutations are born.

The ban on the use of phosphorous bombs

Phosphorus munitions are not officially classified as weapons of mass destruction, but their application is limited to the UN Convention. This document regulates their use for military purposes and prohibits the use of strikes against peaceful targets. According to the protocol, phosphorous bombs are prohibited for use in populated areas and their surroundings, even if there are military facilities there.

Known facts of the use of phosphorous ammunition in our time

During the occupation of Kampuchea in the 1980s of the last century, the Vietnamese army used unguided rocket-propelled missiles loaded with white phosphorus to destroy the Khmer Rouge. Reactive phosphor shells were used by British intelligence agencies in 2003 near the city of Basra in Iraq.

A year later in Iraq, the US Army already used phosphorus bombs in the fighting for Fallujah. Photos of the consequences of this bombing you see in the article. In 2006 and 2009, the Israeli army used phosphorous ammunition during the Second Lebanon War, as well as in the Gaza Strip during Operation Cast Lead.

How to protect yourself from the effects of burning phosphorus

In order to maximally protect themselves from the damaging factors of phosphorus ammunition, it is necessary to clearly define the type of weapons used. In the case of using phosphorus bombs by aviation, accompanied by a flaming down and thick white smoke or burning after the explosion of the territory, immediately leave the affected area, moving to the non-windward side.

As a shelter, it is better to use rooms with strong overlap and forced ventilation. If such places could not be found, it is necessary to use basements, trenches, pits, vehicles, covering themselves with improvised means, such as metal or wooden shields, boards, tents, etc., given that they will provide only short-term protection.

To protect the respiratory tract, use filter masks, respirators or a soft cloth soaked in a solution of baking soda. If the burning mixture hits the clothing or exposed skin, it is necessary to extinguish the flame, covering the affected area with a cloth, blocking the access of oxygen. In no case can you shoot down the fire by rubbing, since the burning area can increase in this case. Do not extinguish the use of water in connection with the possibility of spraying a combustible mixture. It should also be taken into account that the extinguished white phosphorus particles can again ignite.