The German Bombe-Minen (BM) mine series consisted off fifteen types of influence mines all of which were designed for aircraft laying. These fifteen type were designated BM 1000 I, BM 1000 II, BM 1000 C, BM 1000 F, BM 1000 H, BM 1000 J-I, BM 1000 J-II, BM 1000 J-III, BM 1000 L, BM 1000 M, BM 1000 T, BM 500, BM 250, Winterballoon, and Wasserballoon. The BM 1000 I, BM 1000 III, BM 1000 H, BM 1000 M, and Wasserballoon were used operationally during World War II.

The German Luftwaffe undertook the development of aircraft-laid mines early in 1940. The developments and experiments were separate from those undertaken by the Navy Mines. Experimental Command; however, each agency was cognizant of the other acti-vities, and some mines consisted of variations of the original BM 1000 model, (Allied de-signaton, GG) except the BM 1000 T, BM 500, BM 250, Winterballoon, and Wasserballoon.

Basically all the BM 1000 mines are of the same constructions such as unit housings, size of lifting lufs, and tail doors. The mine case for all BM 1000 mines consists of four separate parts welded together; the nose piece, ogive, cylindrical case, and tail piece. The nose piece is made of pressed steel, and the other three parts are made of non-magnectic, 18% manganese steel.