[1] Similarly, a bomb with a time-delay fuze could penetrate the superstructure, deck or armour of a warship and explode inside, causing greater damage compared to the same bomb exploding outside on contact.
A short delay would also prevent a fighter-bomber or ground-attack aircraft getting caught in the blast of its own bomb after a low-altitude attack.
Such bombs were used widely by British and American and German[2] forces during World War II.
Towards the end of the war both British and German bombs became de facto mines, with a secondary fuze mechanism activated by light tilting or magnets to kill those trying to disarm them.
German delayed-action bombs were used in attacks on several high-profile targets in London, including Broadcasting House[4] and Buckingham Palace[5]