Fairey swordfish

[PatG]

Fortress Malta, James Holland. ISBN 140135186-7
page 112, Referring to the lack of effect of conventional and incendiary bombs on the architecture of Malta.

"Ordinary bombs caused little destruction: they would knock down buildings if there was a direct hit, but the blast effect was usually comparatively small. Now, however, the Germans had begun using parachute mines, which had a far greater blast power, and were consequently considerably more destructive."

from http://www.worldwar2exraf.co.uk/Onli...Theblitz4.html

"14th November 1940 - Code named Moonlilight Sonata German bombers turned their attention on Coventry decimating the city and dropping 150,000 fire bombs and 503 tons of high explosives, as well as 130 parachute mines."

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air-mine#Air_mines

Air mines

During The Blitz the Germans used naval mines dropped on parachutes as improvised blockbusters. They exploded on contact with a hard surface, as the bomb was not in a crater, the blast could go sideways causing a great deal of damage.The large raid on Coventry on November 14/November 15, 1940 included the use of 50 parachute naval mines which caused extensive blast damage. The British called these devices air-mines. These types where used also during air raids on Malta especially on its harbour areas.

emphasis added

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/s...a2065402.shtml

Land or Aerial mines. These were enormous steel canisters 9.1/2 ft. long containing 2,400 lb high explosive, they were dropped by a very large parachute so generally arrived silently some time after the bombers had gone, usually when the fire and rescue workers had arrived. The blast from these devices was devastating, destroying hundreds of homes for hundreds of yards and maiming or killing anyone in the area. The Germans dropped many parachute or land mines which would hang caught up in trees for days before exploding their massive charges, they were deliberately intended to inflict terror and slaughter civilians in large numbers.

from http://www.candi.ac.uk/about/news/2005/141105blitz.asp

Sixty-five years ago on 15 October 1940, a parachute high explosive bomb - a land mine - hit Dame Alice Owen's School. The school housed a basement air raid shelter and 109 of the 143 local people who were settling down for the night were killed.

If that's not enough, I can call up my Dad and get a quote about the one that blew up the block one over from his during the blitz. My Maltese in-laws might have some eye witness accounts too.