Tallboy (bomb)

The Tallboy was an earthquake bomb developed by the British engineer Barnes Wallis and deployed by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. Weighing 12,000 lb (5,400 kg), it was designed to penetrate hardened targets, such as concrete structures and reinforced bunkers, using its sheer mass and velocity.

The bomb's aerodynamic shape, coupled with its robust construction, allowed it to reach supersonic speeds during its descent. This high velocity enabled it to bore deep into the ground before detonating. The resulting shockwave would then destroy or severely damage the target structure from beneath, causing structural collapse or rendering it unusable.

Tallboy bombs were notably used against a variety of strategic targets, including:

• U-boat pens: Aimed at destroying or disabling German submarine shelters.
• Railway tunnels: Used to disrupt transportation networks and logistics.
• Bridges: Targeting key infrastructure vital for enemy supply lines.
• The Tirpitz: A German battleship, which was eventually capsized by multiple Tallboy hits.

The Tallboy's success lay in its ability to deliver a concentrated and devastating blow against heavily defended targets that were previously considered impervious to conventional bombing techniques. It represented a significant advancement in precision bombing and profoundly impacted the strategic bombing campaigns of World War II. The Tallboy was followed by an even larger, similar weapon, the Grand Slam bomb.