Couldn't really find an apt thread so thought I'd start one in the 1940 section to do with Allied mines and their use. This is taken from a report about the 1 Welsh Guards preparing the defences in Arras. Blocks were established on all the main roads leading into Arras, houses were loopholed, weapon pits dug and sandbagged to cover the Blocks. These were subsequently strengthened by a liberal supply of small anti-tank mines supplied by the R.E. and placed in position by a number rather nervous NCO's, supervised by a number of equally nervous officers, as the mines were alledged to be extremely sensitive.
Thanks for that-Looking at the images it seems hard to think of which one, if any, you would use on a road block. I'm assuming they would have just been placed on top of the metal road. I thought it was quite funny the RE would have said something like, 'ere are' and left them to it.
Generally mines were laid in the verges while the road would be cratered if time. You may have no need to mine the road as you can use the mines to help protect your flanks as well so channeling the enemy into your killing zone. When doing FIBUA we would lay mines amongst obstacles to help slow down the clearance (plus try and get some of the opposing engineers. The types of mines used up till 1943 by the various armies can be found in 'War Department Field Manual FM5-31 Land Mines and Booby Traps 1943' Unfortunately I cant remember where I downloaded it from (can find it on pay sites but not the free one)
This site has it and you can view online or access for download if you are prepared to join or hand over facebook info Fm 5-31 Land Mines and Booby Traps 1943
Not all mines were mines in 1940 http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/1940/37890-unknown-dli-sergeant-who-used-dinner-plates-mines.html
Thanks for that-Looking at the images it seems hard to think of which one, if any, you would use on a road block. I'm assuming they would have just been placed on top of the metal road. . I was a bit surprised to see the Hawkins grenade (No 75) described as an anti personnel mine. My impression was that these were often used at road blocks, strung together on a rope so they could swiftly be pulled across the road to stop any vehicles, or moved aside to allow them to pass. Chris
Military Training Pamphlet No. 28 Anti-Tank Mines – 1939 Later: Mines and Booby Traps Military Training Pamphlet No.40 Part I Individual Mechanisms - 1943 Military Training Pamphlet No. 40 Mines and Booby Traps Part II Laying and Recording British Mines – 1943 Military Training Pamphlet No. 40 Mines and Booby Traps Part I Enemy Methods – 1945 There are more!
Here you go Les - Infantry, RA and Motor Battalions were trained on laying them aswell as RE units. See Wills last post for the whole pamphlet.
Hello, What type of mines were used in Belgium during the 1940 Campaign by the BEF (mark I, II or III or all of these types)? In the training pamphlet of 1939 is also mentioned the French model 1936 mine. Did the BEF use this type of mine as well during the 1940 Campaign? Regards, Bram.