Molotov breadbasket en · NOUN
Etymology
Coined around 1940 to describe cluster munitions used in Finland by the Soviet Union during the Winter War (1939-1940). From Molotov + breadbasket, after the Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov. Compare Molotov cocktail.
Meanings
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A cluster bomb; a munition that disperses multiple smaller explosives.
Our bombardment aircraft dropped this armament in bomb-shaped 250- and 500-kilogram canisters (models AB250 and AB500). These fragmentation bombs proved to be extremely effective against live targets when discharged by a scatter drop (an adaptation of the Molotov “bread basket”).
2001, Steven H. Newton, Kursk: The German View, page 187:
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(specifically) The RRAB-3, a Soviet cluster bomb.
The Russian air force dropped RRAB-3 ‘Molotov bread basket’ incendiary cluster munitions on Finland during the ‘Winter War’ in January 1940, and perhaps even earlier.
2010, Gro Nystuen, Stuart Casey-Maslen, The Convention on Cluster Munitions: A Commentary, page 6:“Molotov breadbasket” is a large bomb container which, whirled by its fins, drops low, then sprays out a mass of 4 1/2 pound incendiary bombs.
1940, “Soviet army's new weapons”, in Life, volume 8, number 14, page 34:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molotov's bread basket | alternative | lexicographic | |
| Molotov bread basket | alternative | lexicographic | |
| Molotov breadbaskets | Number=Plur | lexicographic |