British Forces

UP set-up

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HMS Nelson equipped with UP Launchers on her main turrets. Photo shows a UP launcher and its operator. UP or "Unrotated Projectile" Launchers were 20 round rocket launchers designed to form a protective barrier against attacking aircraft. Rockets were fired 10 at a time. Once they reached a preset distance from the ship they would deploy a mine suspended from three parachutes via a length of wire. Aircraft that flew into the wires would detonate the mine. The idea was that that launchers could create a aerial minefield around the ship. However, the minefield was rarely dense enough to provide an obstacle to attacking aircraft. In addition, the slightest wind could disperse the mines over a wide area, even onto friendly ships and even back onto the ship that launched them. Last but not least, the supply of rockets stashed aboard a ship posed a significant fire hazard. During her final battle, HMS Hood took a hit on her boat deck that ignited her UP rockets, causing a large fire. Though an interesting concept, the weapon was largely ineffective and quickly removed from British ships in 1941 in favor of additional AA guns. IWM - A 1995/taken from fb