From the archive: ‘Ten-Ton Tessie’, 9 June, 1945

AMONG Scotland’s many notable contributions to the speedy termination of the war in Europe was “Ten-Ton Tessie”, the outsize bomb which followed quickly upon the success of the 12,000lb “Block Busters”, and which caused such dreadful havoc and devastation to German cities and military installations that further serious resistance became impossible.

Scotland may be justly proud of “Ten-Ton Tessie”, which was cast and also machined to its shiny, sleek, finished perfection north of the Border. Press representatives were shown yesterday the processes leading up to the completed article. They learned that while “Ten-Ton Tessie” might not be the most relevant title for Britain’s greatest achievement in the bombing offensive, it is little less elegant than the “Grand Slam” which has been the bomb’s pseudonym in all official correspondence. Production of the 12,000lb and ten-ton missiles carries on.