Hi Chris..
Two different types of fuses when your talking skip bombing to parafrags. Delay fuses on the skip bombs to (theoretically) hit the ship, sink a bit then detonate below the water line. Of course, many bounced over their intended targets, and many went completely through the ships.. What's surprising is the different sizes of bombs used. In the 3rd, barge hunting meant a 250lb bomb. On the Nov 2 Mission to Rabaul to attack shipping, the 3rd had -25's carrying 500 and 1,000 lb bombs. BG (Ret) Bill Webster made comment about trying to "toss" a 1,000 pounder sideways into a transport ship!!
As to parafrags, they were mean little buggers with a very sensitive fuse that would detonate at the slightest touch once armed, hence the parachute to let the a/c get away from the blast. If you look at mission photo's involving parafrags, you'll quickly notice that most, (not all) were in a line abreast..
As to wrapping the bombs with wire, that was done quite frequently in the early days. Dad talked about it more than once..
It took much practice on the "Moresby Wreck" to hone their skills, but when on their game, the strafers and low level attackes sure put a pounding on their enemy!
Practice laps at Hollandia after slow timing some engines.
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