R4M Rockets

R4M (Rakete 4kg. Minenkopf) rockets were fired from wooden launch rails mounted underwing.  With a velocity similar to the Mk 108 cannon, they could be aimed exactly the same as the cannon. 

"They could be let off 1,100 meters away from the target - and from this range continued until they represented a field of fire of over 30m x 14m.  This meant that by releasing all his rockets at once against a close formation of bombers a pilot couldn't miss!"
Johannes Steinhoff		 r4m_detail.jpg (50896 bytes)

r4m_on_262.jpg (51691 bytes)

Another view of a rack of R4M rockets

   Closeup view of battery of 12 R4Ms
Inset: The R4M rocket had two basic operational variants. 
Top - armour piercing warhead
Bottom - high explosive warhead

A hit anywhere on a bomber would be enough to bring it down.  The R4M also had the effect of breaking up the tight bomber formations making them easier targets for the fighters.