WO 208/2989: German Army equipment 1939-1945: Mines, Mine Detectors & Demolition Equipment

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by dbf, Jan 28, 2012.

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    This mine was first encountered in North Western EUROPE in August 1944. The essential difference between it and the Riegelmine 43 lay in the arming device and the weight of the explosive charge. The arming device permitted the Riegelmine 8 Kg. to be transported in an unarmed condition, whilst the 17 1/2 lbs explosive charge of ammatol was almost twice that of the earlier mine, and guaranteed effective damage to tanks. In addition the new type of mine displayed a tendency to economy of materials and time of production by dispensing with cover lid.

    As already stated the essential difference between this mine and the Riegelmine 43 lay in the arming device. The tops of the ends of the tray were flanged, one being solid while the other carried a central slot to permit the insertion of the stirrup of a ZZ 42 igniter. On the outside of the tray at each end was a rotatable arrow which could be set to UNSCHARF[/] (safe) or SCHARF (armed). Rotation of the arrow turned a disc on the inside of the tray. The disc carried a pin which was engaged in a slot in a pivoted arm. This arm carried a top flange with a slot which provided two shoulders to support the stirrup of a ZZ 42 igniter. Rotation of the arrow from UNSCHARF to SCHARF in an anti-clockwise direction rotated the disc in the inside of the tray, so lifting the arm into a horizontal position where it was locked by a spring-loaded catch. The only method by which the arm could then be lowered and the mine disarmed was by inserting a pin through a small hole in the bottom of the tray. This forced upwards one arm of a pivoted angle shaped piece of metal, the other arm was engaged in the catch and being forced down released it.

    The principal remaining differences between this mine and the Riegelmine 43 was summarised as under:-

    (i) There was no lid, the mine consisting of the H.E. charge container and the tray only.

    (ii) The was no spring loaded shutter arrangement, the shutters for closing the safety bar holes being on the outside of the tray and manipulated by hand.

    (iii) The auxiliary igniter sockets were at the ends of the charge and not in the top or sides. When viewing the charge end-on these sockets were near the top left-hand corner; there were normally kept closed by screw plugs.

    (iv) There was no shear batten on the charge where it rested on the shear wire, nor was the tray line inside to ensure a neat shearing.

    (v) The arming device permitted the mine to be transported in an unarmed state.

    (vi) The marking on the top of the H.E. charge container was Spr. R 8 Kg.flg.hr. 8/43.
     
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    The Stockmine was first encountered in North AFRICA in 1943.

    It was an unusual mine in that it was normally laid above ground level and was actuated by trip wires. Like the S-Mine it relied on flying fragments of shrapnel for its lethal effect. Considering the small size of the explosive charge in the mine (approx. 4 ozs.), the Germans claimed a very high lethal radius of 65 yds.

    The mine consisted of a small hollow concrete cylinder which was made of a weak cement mortar composition and contained the shrapnel filling. The charge, into which a pull igniter and detonator were screwed, was contained inside the cylinder. The mine was mounted on a wooden picket driven into the ground.

    The explosive filling was a 100 gram bore hole cartridge (Bohrpatrone 28) though commercial cartridges could also be used except in the tropics. The igniters used with the mine were ZZ 42, ZZ 35, S.Mi.Z 44 and the modified ZuZZ 35.

    The mine was normally assembled in a back area by placing the 100 gram charge inside the cylinder from the bottom end. The igniter and detonator were screwed into the mine from the top end. On occasions mines were found with their openings at the top and bottom of the mine sealed against moisture with a wax compound. If the mine was tied to a tree instead of being placed on a stick the lower hole was filled with a wooden plug. On the laying side the assembled mine was placed on a picket which had been previously driven into the ground and projected about 5 inches above ground level. In soft ground e.g., marsh or sand a longer and thicker picket was used to ensure stability. Trip wires were then attached according to the type of igniter used.

    The mine functioned by tension on a trip wire causing the withdrawing of the safety pin from the striker of the igniter, so causing firing of the detonator and mine.

    Buried Stockmines with ZZ 42 igniters were found in North Western EUROPE. They were laid in specially constructed wooden cradles, and were fired on the same principle as the Schumine 42 (Section 20, Chapter 1). At one end of the cradle a slot was cut and the stirrup of the igniter fitted over the shoulders so formed. Pressure on the mine forced out the retaining pin from the striker, so actuating the mine.

    The mine casings were supplied in wooden boxes, six to a box. Six wooden pickets, packed in bundles, were supplied with each box. Cartridges, igniters and detonators were issued from unit stores.
     
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    First information of the Schumine 42 was received in a captured German document in July 1943. It ultimately became a manufactured improvisation and was encountered in considerable quantities in all theatres up to the close of the war.

    It was a light anti-personnel mine which could be rapidly laid to form an effective obstacle against infantry, cavalry and light vehicles. In small scale road blocks it was frequently used in preference to the S-Mine 35. Owing to the small amount of metal in its manufacture it was very difficult to detect with any standard service mine detector.

    The Germans were faced with two major drawbacks to the mine. First it was not waterproof and second, owing to the sensitivity of the igniter, too many accidents occurred to their own troops whilst laying the mine. Later in the war modifications were being introduced to overcome these difficulties.

    The casing of the mine consisted of a light impregnated plywood tray covered by a hinged wedge-shaped lid, although in February, 1944 a modification was encountered in which the casing was made of hardened compressed fibrous cardboard. The front of the tray was provided with a hole to allow insertion of a standard detonator and ZZ 42 igniter. The explosive charge a standard 200 gram T.N.T. or picnic [sic] block was contained in the tray and was fitted in most models with a threaded igniter socket; the igniter was inserted in such a way that the release pin passed vertically through the striker with the stirrup beneath it. A slot cut in the front of the lid fitted over the head of the igniter so that when the mine was armed the two shoulders of the slot rested on the stirrup of the igniter.

    Late in the war three types of Schumines were encountered involving major modifications:-

    (i) Schumine 42 Modified for ZZ 35 Pull Igniter
    The normal lid of the mine was replaced by a special large lid with a sloping front, and was designed for use with the ZZ 35 igniter. The sloping front of the lied engaged an actuating pin pushed through the hole in the top of the igniter which was normally used for the trip wire. The mine was armed by withdrawing the safety pin of the ZZ 35 igniter by an arming cord passing through a hole in the top of the sloping lid. The mine was then actuated by pressure on the lid being transmitted to the pin in the igniter. Two wooden space blocks were provided in order to prevent the igniter and charge moving forward in the mine tray when pressure was applied to the lid.

    (ii) Waterproofed Schumine
    A wooden box of normal Schumine size contained the standard 200 gram charge and ZZ 42 igniter. The igniter passed through a hole in the front face of the box, the striker and actuating pin protruding normally. The box was closed with a fixed lid and waterproofed with tar, and the igniter hole plugged with mastic. A false lid hinged at the rear was designed to actuate the mine in the normal manner.

    (iii) Schumine with Glass-Bottle
    This was a normal wooden Schumine with the explosive contained in a glass bottle inside the wooden case. The ZZ 42 igniter passed through the stopper of the bottle. The resulting mine was the same width, but considerably longer than the standard Schumine 42.

    The object of the design was to ensure that the explosive filling would be protected from moisture and yet to preserve ease of handling, speed of laying and simplicity of manufacture.

    The Schumine 42 was actuated by pressure on the hinged lid being transmitted onto the stirrup of the igniter. This withdrew the pin and released the striker which fired the detonator and mine.

    The mine was armed by screwing a ZZ 42 igniter and No. 8 detonator into the made-up 200 gram charge. It was laid in a hole with its lid level with the surface of the ground and the igniter pointing away from the enemy. The earth on each side of the mine was gently pressed down, care being taken to avoid obstructing the downward movement of the lid. On occasions, when vegetation was sufficient to conceal it, the mine was laid on the surface of the ground. In snow it was laid on a piece of plank and under these conditions was found to be more effective than the S.Mi.35. The standard spacing was 1 ft. 8 ins. between mines and 3 ft. 3ins. between rows, the measurement being taken from centre to centre.

    An anti-lifting device could be rapidly incorporated by attaching a short length of wire to the small loop in the igniter pin and securing the other end to a wooden peg driven into the ground. A second device was encountered in GREECE. In this case the mine was found with the actuating pin inverted and wired to the lid, so that the igniter was fired when the lid was lifted.

    The firing pressure was from 6 - 11 lbs. but could be increased by tying the actuating pin to the striker with a length of thin string. This made it necessary for the string to tear before the actuating pin could be extracted from the striker and increased the firing pressure required to set off the mine to 20 - 25 lbs.

    The mine cases were supplied in light crates each containing 20 cases. Igniters, detonators and charges were supplied from unit stores. Owing to the extreme sensitivity of the igniter the mine was usually assembled on the laying site, but it could be safely transported over a short distance by turning the igniter stirrup to a vertical position and closing the lid over it.

    The standard packing crate for the Modified Schumine had the letters "n 20 mine c.b.a. mod. 42" stencilled in black on the top of the box
     
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    These mines were first encountered in FRANCE in September 1944.

    They were a continuation of the German attempts to devise a mine which would not give a reaction to a mine detector. They never became a standard army store, and were only issued by the Chief Engineer, Army Group B (von RUNSTEDT's Command in FRANCE before D-Day).

    Two types were encountered, the primary difference lying in the method of ignition. In both types the casing contained nails and had a metal carrying handle attached, and could be located by a No. 4 detector.

    The casing consisted of a wooden box with a hinged wedge shaped lid. The lower half of the box contained the main charge of picric acid in damp-proof paper and the primer charge. The latter was a standard 200 gram charge and was built up on wooden blocks to give the correct position for the insertion of the igniters. Above the main filling was fitted a plywood cover plate on which there was a label giving full details of the mine. A metal carrying handle was located on the hinge side.

    (i) Type A
    This was actuated by a ZZ 42 igniter located centrally in the front of the casing and screwed into a 200 gram charge. The igniter was screwed in so that the release pin passed vertically through the striker with the stirrup beneath it. A slot was cut in the front of the lid to fit over the head of the igniter. When the mine was armed the two shoulders of the slot rested on the stirrup. To increase pressure two wooden dowels on front of the casing had to be sheared before the mine was actuated.

    (ii) Type B
    This was actuated by two Buck igniters located in the plywood cover plate. The two wooden shear dowels were slightly stronger than in Type A. Otherwise the mines were identical.


    The mines were fired by pressure on the hinged lid shearing the two wooden dowels on the front of the casing. The pressure was then transferred to the igniters so actuating the mine.

    The mines were normally buried and laid at intervals of 13 ft. During transit the mines were carried without igniters, a specially constructed wooden plug being inserted in the igniter sockets.
     
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    These mines were first recovered from dumps in GERMANY, but were later encountered in NORWAY and DENMARK.

    The bodies of both types were constructed entirely of wood and were further examples of the German efforts to provide mines which would have the dual advantage of being difficult to detect yet easy to produce. In Type A the ignition was chemical, the only metal present in the complete assembly being a detonator and threaded socket in the explosive charge. Type B incorporated a ZZ 42 igniter and was also found to have several nails in the lid, but was nevertheless extremely difficult to detect.

    In both types of mine the body was formed from a solid wooden block slightly chamfered at the top of the rear end to take the lid. A charge cavity was bored from the rear end to receive a standard 100 gram charge, (Bohrpatrone 28), which was retained in the cavity by a wooden plug.

    (i) Type A. The igniter socket was a hole bored in the top of the front end of the mine. This socket had two diameters the difference between them forming a ledge about half way down. Two ampoules similar in appearance to those in the Topfmine igniter were housed in the bottom of the socket and covered by a thin waxed cardboard disc which rested on the ledge and was waxed in position. A small circular passage connected the igniter socket to the charge container cavity.

    The lid of the mine had two near the back which fitted loosely over the projecting ends of a dowel driven through the rear end of the mine body. The forward end of the lid rested on a removable, tapered actuating plug, which in turn rested on the cardboard disc covering the two ampules.

    Pressure on the lid forced the actuating plug through the cardboard disc and crushed the ampules. The liquid contents of the ampoules reacted to cause a flash, which passed through the connecting passage and fired the detonator and Bohrpatrone in the charge cavity.

    The mine was laid on a firm base with the igniter end pointing away from the enemy.


    (ii) Type B. The igniter socket in this case was a hole bored through the front end of the mine, through which a ZZ 42 igniter was inserted. The igniter and No. 8 detonator were screwed into the socket of the Bohrpatrone 28 in the normal manner. The lid was similar in shape and suspension to that of the Type A, except that the front end had a slotted extension to rest on the stirrup of the ZZ 42 igniter. As in the Schumine 42 pressure on the lid actuate the igniter which fired the main charge.
     
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    The Glasmine was first encountered in North-West EUROPE shortly after D-Day.

    Like the Potmine series it was manufactured in FRANCE and was a further example of the German attempts to economise in materials. The mine was not entirely non-metallic, but was difficult to detect and slowed up the speed of the advance. It was usually laid in road blocks, road craters and verges in conjunction with S Mines and Riegelmines.

    It consisted of a circular outer glass causing the external diameter at the base being approximately 2/3 that at the top. Four raised glass ribs in the bottom of the casing were spaced so as to take a standard 200 gram charge. A grooved shoulder on the inside of, and about half-way up, the casing supported a thin sheet metal igniter plate through which was cut a hole for the igniter. A similar shoulder at the top of the casing supported a thin glass shear plate, immediately above which was moulded glass pressure plate. The underside of this pressure plate had two grooves through which a two-pronged metal fork could be inserted. The extremities of the fork rested upon the outer edges of the mine casing so supporting the pressure plate and acting as a safety device. The fork was not supplied with the mine, but was improvised by units.

    The igniters which could be used with the mine were the Shuko igniter, Buck lever igniter and Buck chemical igniter. When the chemical igniter was used a different type of igniter plate, strengthened by four circular corrugations was employed.

    An alternative explosive filling to the standard 200 gram charge was 4 ozs. of loose picric powder contained in a cardboard box. In this case the detonator was contained in the threaded bakelite holder whereas with a standard charge a normal screw thread was used.

    The mine was armed by inserting the requisite type of charge and igniter and made waterproof by sealing the edges of the igniter and cover plates with cement putty. Withdrawal of the safety fork completed the operation. The mines were laid with 2 inches of cover above them, and at a minimum spacing of 3 ft. 3 in.

    The mine functioned by pressure breaking the glass shear plate, so transferring the load to the head of the igniter which fired the detonator and explosive charge. The pressure required to fire the mine was 30 lbs. if a Shuko igniter was used, and 60 - 70 lbs. with a Buck chemical igniter.

    The mine cases were carried in a wooden crate, five to a crate. On no account were they transported in an armed condition, but were prepared for laying as near to the required site as possible.
     
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    This mine went into production late in 1944, but owing in shortage of materials never appeared in great quantities.

    The design was copied from the British "Tyre-Burster" and was probably intended to serve the same purpose, namely to be strewn on airfield runways, along the edges of roads, and in inconspicuous places where troops were likely to walk. The charge was sufficient to blow off a foot or burst the tyre of a vehicle.

    The mine was a small round box of black bakelite consisting of a container and overlapping lid, the two halves being held together by adhesive tape and sealed with wax. A bakelite detonator well, above which was fixed a metal striker sleeve, was moulded to the centre of the container, and was accessible from the underside by removing a screw plug. The explosive filling of 2 1/2 ozs. T.N.T. fitted round this well and sleeves. The striker was suspended by a copper shear wire which passed through holes in the striker and striker sleeve. A small bakelite pressure disc grooved to fit over the shear wire, rested within the striker and supported the striker spring. A peg moulded into the centre of the lid fitted into the top of the spring and prevented it from slipping under compression. The percussion cap and detonator were both contained in a small aluminium shell which rested on the screw plug. In transit a hollow bakelite distance piece was fitted into the detonator well in place of the cap and detonator assembly.

    A pressure of 20 - 30 lbs. on the lid compressed the striker spring and caused the lid to bear on the striker. This sheared the shear wire and released the striker, which was forced forward by the action of the striker spring against the percussion cap and detonator so firing the mine.

    The Germans discovered that the adhesive tape sealing the two parts of the mine tended to impede the downward movement of the lid, and later types of the mine were to have 2 or 3 vertical strips of tape instead of one circular strip and the joint waterproofed by rolling the casing in paraffin wax.

    The mines were transported in an unarmed conditions in lots of 200 in zinc-lined wooden boxes.

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    This mine was first encountered in ITALY in October 1944 and later, in ever increasing numbers, in North Western EUROPE.

    The main body was made of a plastic material and was a direct development of the German attempts to produce a non-metallic Anti-Tank mine. Unlike its predecessors, the Holzmine 42 and the VB Mine, the Topfmine could not be located by our standard service mine detectors. During the last few months of the war it was the only type of mine delivered to front line troops and completely superseded all previous standard anti-tank mines.

    It was so constructed as to ensure its detonation even by tanks with wide track links (e.g., CHURCHILL).

    The body was the charge container and consisted of a hollow cylindrical disc of plastic material, the top face of which was formed as a circular pressure plate surrounded by a shear groove. In the centre of the bottom face was a cylindrical recess which accommodated the primer plug and the igniter assemblies. The carrying handle was fixed to the mien bottom by two glass screws and a third glass screw acted as the filler plug.

    The primer plug assembly consisted of a glass screw cap fitted centrally with a subsidiary igniter socket and a cylindrical igniter seating. This igniter seating was made of turned wood or compressed bituminous cardboard; if made of wood it was pierced with four circular inspection holes. In its top face was a deep pocket with an internal screw thread to accommodate the Topfmine igniter. The space remaining between the glass screw cap and the igniter seating was filled with the primer charge. The subsidiary igniter socket, which led through the glass cap into the primer charge, had a standard thread and protected the charge against moisture with a thin bakelite detonator pocket. When the primer plug assembly was fitted into the mine a circular ridge moulded on the side of the glass screw nearest the body pressed against a rubber washer thus ensuring watertightness.

    The explosive filing of the mine was, according to the German code number, Amatol 50/50 although analysis of captured mines found the proportion to be nearer 40/60. PETN/Wax pellets surrounded the primer charge and the subsidiary igniter.

    Marked on the pressure plate was T.Mi.4531, but a modified and more efficiently waterproofed mine was introduced later and marked A.4531. This type, in addition, was marked with a white cross.

    The mine was actuated by a load on the pressure plate shearing the plate along its shear groove so transferring the weight on to the head of the igniter and causing detonation.

    Topfmines were laid in a similar fashion to Tellermines 42. To prevent sympathetic detonation mines were laid at least seven feet apart when buried or fourteen feet apart when hid on the surface. A German directive stated that a patch of at least three feet round the place where a mine was buried was to be loosened up in order to ensure the actin of the mine.

    To arm the Topfmine the primer plug assembly was first unscrewed. The Topfmine igniter was then fitted with a detonator and detonator protective cap, and screwed into the primer plug. The whole was then replaced into the mine body. A mine so armed was always laid with the pressure plate on top. When a rod or other standard igniter was used, the mine was laid upside down and the igniter screwed into the subsidiary igniter socket; in this case no Topfmine igniter was fitted. The official German handbook gave the firing pressure as 150 Kg. (330 lbs.), although under frost conditions the pressure was brought down to as low as 132 lbs. This was caused by the freezing of water which filled the shear groove between the pressure plate and the main body of the mine, so weakening the joint. The Germans appreciated this deficiency and tried to combat it by filling the shear groove with bitumen or waterproofing paint.

    Topfmines were packed singly in wooden crates without detonators, and were only stacked if in their crates. Their igniters were supplied in wooden packing cases containing five igniters. Breakage of the igniter was dangerous and caused severe burns.

    Non-metallic detonators were provided separately in small wooden boxes containing 15 detonators.
     
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    The Potmine A.200 was first encountered in NORMANDY in June 1944, and thereafter in considerable quantities throughout FRANCE.

    It is believed that the mine was a direct development from orders issued to German units early in 1944, which stressed the shortage of standard types of mines and the consequent need for improvisation and the utilisation of local facilities. The mine itself was almost certainly produced in FRANCE as were the igniter and detonator used with it.

    Two serious shortcomings quickly made themselves apparent. First the igniter, although intended to be instantaneous, was frequently found to have a delay of up to two seconds between actuation and detonation of the mine, so that no casualty was caused. Second, owing to its steel body, the mine could be easily detected by standard mine detector.

    The mine consisted of a cylindrical pressed steel body with an external flange at the open end, and a cover plate which fitted over, and was crimped to the flange. The body was fitted centrally with a detonator pocket round which was the explosive filling of 200 grams of powdered picric acid. In the cover plate immediately above the detonator pocket was a threaded hole into which was screwed an adapter which took the igniter. A synthetic rubber washer was inserted between the igniter and adapter for waterproofing the mine. The igniter used with the mine was the Buck Chemical Crush Igniter.

    The mine was armed by inserting a French detonator No. 35 in the pocket in the main body, and screwing in the adapter and igniter, a pressure of between 60 and 90 lbs. was then sufficient to crush the igniter and fire the detonator and mine.

    In some places the mine was laid with the igniter protruding about 1/2 inch above ground level, in other places it was completely buried.
     
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    The second of the Potmine series this mine was encountered in fair numbers in North Western EUROPE. It was similar to the Potmine A.200 in its essential features, but was slightly smaller and consequently contained less explosive.

    The body of the mine was of thin sheet steel lacquered inside to prevent chemical reaction with the explosive filling. Unlike the A.200 the body had no flange at the open end, and the cover plate was held to it by a strip of insulating tape which also served to waterproof the mine. The detonator pocket was soldered to the bottom of the mine and consisted of a tube with a cup-shaped top. The explosive charge surrounding this tube was 150 grams of granulated picric acid.

    The Buch Chemical Igniter and the igniter adapter were the same as for the Potmine A.200.

    The operation and use were as for the A.200, except that the detonator used was a German No. 8 or the one used in a French Egg Hand Grenade in place of the French No. 35.
     
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    Specimens of this mine, the third of the Potmine series, were first recovered in North West EUROPE in October 1944. The mine was similar to the A.200 as to operation and explosive content, but differed primarily in that the lid was detachable and that the detonator pocket was welded to the underside of the lid.

    Although resembling the A.200 externally, the overhang of the lid over the container was greater, and the lid had no adapter for the igniter. The hole in the lid was threaded internally to take a Buck Chemical Crush Igniter, and immediately beneath the hole and welded to the underside of the lid, was the detonator holder which consisted of two pieces of pressed steel with a lipped joint.

    The lid was secured to the container by three internal lugs inside the rim of the lid which mated with three slots in the top flange of the container. When so engaged a turn of the lid locked it to the container. Two rubber washers, one on the top flange of the container and one on the underside of the lid, made the mine waterproof.

    The German No. 8 detonator was used with the mine, and although too long to fit perfectly into the detonator pocket the protruding portion fitted into the bottom of the externally threaded sleeve of the Buck Chemical Igniter.

    The operation and use of the mine were as for the Potmine A.200.
     
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    This mine was encountered by the Seventh U.S. ARMY towards the end of the campaign in GERMANY. The mine is not thought to be of German origin. It is of diameter 12 inches and height 4 inches, and weighs 11 lbs. of which 7 lbs. is the weight of the explosive filling. The firing pressure is reported as 750 lbs. The method of operation may be sen from the drawing.
     
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    An incomplete specimen of a German Magnetic Acoustic Anti-Tank mine was found in GERMANY. The mine was designed to be actuated by a combination of the effect of vibration caused by a moving tank, and the change in direction and intensity of the prevailing magnetic field due to the metal construction of the tank.

    The complete mine is contained in a short cylindrical zinc outer casing approximately 12 ins. in diameter and 4 ins. in depth. A smaller metallic cylinder centrally fixed on the inside of the base contains the igniter assembly. This consists essentially of a flexibility mounted vibratory generator, which produces when vibrated, high and low voltages which feed a condenser system and a double solenoid respectively. The combined effect of these movements, and of the change in the magnetic field on the solenoid due to the proximity of a tank, actuates a relay mechanism which detonates the mine charge. The charge is contained in the annular space between the igniter cylinder and the main casing walls.

    The double solenoid, which is approximately 12 ins. long, is encased by cardboard, and fits into a metal sheath passing through the main casing to the side of the igniter cylinder. The ends are protected by screw caps. A further short metal tube is believed to contain a smoke charge, but the purpose of this is not clear.

    The weight of explosive contained in the mine is about 16 lbs.
     
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    Due to the ever increasing demand for anti-tank mines by the German Army, towards the end of the war the Germans developed the use of their own, and captured British Naval mines. Briefly two types of igniting device were developed.

    First, the M.I. type, which works on the magnetic needle principle. The changes of the vertical component of the earth's magnetic field produced by a moving tank makes the needle move, and close a circuit in which an electric detonator is incorporated. The current for this circuit is supplied by a 15 volt battery fitted with an arming switch inside a box which may be placed at some distance from the mine.

    Secondly, using the captured British sea mine igniting device which works on the induction principle. The induction igniter was considered simple, easier to construct, not too sensitive and altogether more reliable. See Appendix A for circuit diagram.


    The purpose of the mine was to destroy A.F.Vs and create a road obstacle. The mine would be laid early, and made live at some later date. A selector could be fitted which made the mine detonate after a certain number of vehicles had passed over the mine.

    The mines were laid between 1 ft. 6 in. and 6 ft. under the ground surface, the mines being a minimum of 270 yards apart. The strength of the local magnetic field must be between 200 - 500 M.U.

    The German Mine consists of a wooden box 22 in. x 22 in. x 28 in. and 15 ft. of electric cable, and a 15 volt battery. The wooden box holds a metal container which contains the following.

    1. Igniting Device M.I.

    2. Selector

    3. Anti-disarming device

    4. Primer Charge

    5. Detonator

    6. Main Charge


    There are two types of Mines. Type M.I. has 100 kg of charge, Type M.II has 200 kg of charge.

    The selector works on the principle that each time a tank passes over the mine the magnetic needle is depressed, actuating a nut which does not engage the contact points until it has been revolved a certain number of times by the passage of a certain number of vehicles (up to twelve).

    The anti-disarming device depended on the mine being tilted. The act of tilting the mine caused a metal ball to close the gap between two cupped metal plates, thus making a circuit and firing the detonator in the charge. The lid of the mine had and anti-opening device.
     
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    This mine was employed by the Germans in North West EUROPE. The mine consists of a claypot containing explosive, with a loose lid, which is supported from the body of the mine by the actuating pins of the Z.Z. 42 Igniters. The mine is operated by pressure on the lid displacing the pins in the Z.Z.42 Igniters.

    There are two sizes of Clay Mine - the larger is Anti-Tank and measures 8" diameter x 10" high. The smaller is anti-personnel and is 8" in diameter and 3" high. Both mines have 3/8" thickness of clay.

    The construction is virtually the same for both types, the main difference being in the number of igniters employed, and whether the body of the igniter is situated in the lid or in the walls of the pot.
     
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    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    See attached for details

    P2920005.JPG P2920007.JPG P2920008.JPG
     

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