German Explosive Ordnance - German Mines and Grenades (Part 7)

      

German Explosives

Schumine 42 (A/P)

Length: 5.04 inches

Diameter/Width: 3.86 inches

Depth: 1.8 inches

Total Weight: 1.1 pounds

Explosive Weight: 1/2 pound

Material: Impregnated Plywood

Pull or Pressure required: 6 to 11 pounds

Color: Unpainted

Description: The mine consists of a wooden box which contains a 1/2 pound demolition block fitted with a Z.Z. 42 igniter and detonator.  The box is covered with a hinged lid.

Operation: Pressure on the box lid pushes the pin out of the igniter, freeing the striker and causing detonation of the igniter cap, detonator and explosive charge.

Remarks: A modified Schumine with a special large lid and sloping front, designed to employ the Z.Z. 35 igniter, was also encountered.  The sloping front engages on an actuating pin pushed through the normal wire hole in the top of the igniter.  The modified mine has a hole in the lid so that a cord can be tied to the safety pin and the igniter armed from a safe distance.

Behelfsmine W-1 (A/P)

Length: 4.6 inches (w/ igniter)

Diameter/Width: 1.9 inches

Explosive: Picric Acid and granulated TNT

Explosive Weight: 4 ounces

Material: Steel

Pull or Pressure required: 35 pounds

Description: The W-1 is an antipersonnel mine improvised from a French 50mm mortar shell from which the nose fuze and tail fins have been removed.  A Buck chemical igniter is fitted by means of a plastic adapter.

Operation: When the Buck igniter is crushed by pressure, a chemical reaction is set up which causes the ignition of the detonator and then the mine.

S-Mine 44 (A/P)

Diameter/Width: 4 inches

Depth: 5 and 1/8 inches

Total Weight: 8.8 pounds

Material: Steel

Pull or Pressure required: 21 pounds pressure or 14 pounds tension

Color: Camouflage Yellow

Description: The main differences between the S-Mine 44 and the s-Mine 35 are in the use of a push-pull type igniter. (S.Mi.Z.44) and the fact that the mine detonates at a pre-determined height of approximately 36 inches.  For recognition purposes, it should be noted that the igniter tube is not located in the center of the mine as it is in the S-Mine 35.

The mine consists of an outer steel case containing an inner canister.  The canister holds the TNT explosive charge which is surrounded by small shot.  In the cover plate there are three screw-covered openings; one for pouring the charge, one for the igniter socket beneath which is the propellant (3 gm of burning gunpowder), and a 4.5-second delay pellet all in a celluloid case, and a third opening for a pull igniter and detonator.  The pull igniter is at the base of the center tube and immediately above it is a flash cap for initiating the detonator.  The pull igniter contains a spring-loaded striker, the sleeve of which is held beneath the internal shoulders of the igniter case by two balls which are prevented from moving inward by a pin in the base of the igniter.  The pin is attached to about 2 feet 10 inches of coiled wire to the base of the outer case.

Operation: After the detonator has been inserted and the igniter fitted and armed by withdrawal of a safety pin, the igniter can be operated either by pressure or pull on the trip wires.  Operation of the igniter initiates the 4.5-second delay pellet.  After the delay the propellant is fired, throwing the mine upwards.  When the coiled wire is fully extended it pulls the pin from the igniter, thus allowing the retaining balls to move inward and release the striker upwards to fire the cap, detonator, and bursting charge.

Employment: The mine is employed in the same manner as the S-Mine 35 for pressure or tension operation.

Remarks: This information is taken from a captured German document.

Next Time: German Mines and Grenades (Part 8)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters 

German Explosive Ordnance - German Mines and Grenades (Part 6)

      

German Explosives

B-Stabmine (Concealed Stickmine) (A/P)

Length: 10 inches

Diameter/Width: 6 inches

Depth: 3 and 1/2 inches

Material: Wood

Pull or Pressure required: 9 to 13 pounds

Color: Camouflage Brown

Description: The body of the mine consists of a wooden box containing the explosive charge.  The initiating stick is fixed in a wooden block which is wedged into a base raised on supports above the cover of the box.  In the base of the wooden block is a metal hook to which is attached a wire, the other end being secured to the eye of the pull igniter Z.Z. 35.  The pull igniter is held in a metal clamp in the cover of the box.

Operation: Movement of the stick pulls the wire and thereby fires the igniter and the charge.

Employment: Used in tall grass and on beaches.

Stockmine (A/P)

Length: 22 inches (Approx.) (Including picket)

Diameter/Width: 2.8 inches

Total Weight: 4.6 pounds (mine only)

Explosive: Borhpatrone 28

Explosive Weight: 100 grams

Material: Concrete (Shrapnel-filled) - wooden picket

Pull or Pressure required: 6 to 11 pounds

Description: The mine itself consists of a concrete cylinder which is made of weak cement and mortar.  This cement holds pieces of shrapnel.  Inside the concrete cylinder is the explosive charge.  In the mines found in North Africa, this charge was Bohrpatrone 28, an explosive which is designed for use in tropics.  However, this cavity may be filled with ordinary commercial cartridges.  An igniter, fitted with a detonator, fits into the recess in the top of the mine.  The mine is mounted on a wooden picket about 1 foot 4 inches long, driven into the ground.

Operation: Actuation of the igniter fires the detonator which in turn fires the explosive charge.  The firing of the mine causes a belt of shrapnel to be thrown out in all directions and the concrete is reduced to dust.  The effective radius is approximately 30 yards.

Employment: Stock mines usually are laid in depth on narrow tracks and in ravines and defiles.  They can also be laid in staggered rows to form mine belts.

Concrete Ball Mine (A/P)

Diameter/Width: 10 inches

Total Weight: 2.2 pounds

Material: Concrete

Color: Gray

Description: The spherical shaped body of the mine consists of concrete with embedded shrapnel used as an aggregate.  A central cavity is provided for insertion of the explosive charge which may be either two 500-gram charges and a 200-gram charge or only one 500-gram charge may be used with the 200-gram charge so that the igniter assembly is countersunk into the mine.

Operation: The igniter may be pulled by hand, initiating the safety which in turn, fires the detonator and charge.  In such a case, the mine may be rolled down a hill or cliff into enemy troops.  It is possible to peg the igniter to a stake below the bomb in such a way that, if an attempt is made to remove the mine, the igniter will be actuated.

Next Time: German Mines and Grenades (Part 7)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters

German Explosive Ordnance - German Mines and Grenades (Part 5)

     

German Explosives

Aluminum Mine (A/P or A/T)

Diameter/Width: 12 inches

Depth: 3 and 3/4 inches

Total Weight: 14 pounds

Explosive: Cheddite with Tolite boosters

Explosive Weight: 7 pounds

Material: Aluminum Alloy

Pull or Pressure required: 130 pounds on sides, 390 pounds in center.

Color: Tan

Description: The lower portion of the mine is a flattened cylindrical case which contains the explosive.  The explosive is covered by a flat aluminum disc.  Three igniter wells, located 120 degrees apart are positioned in the explosive.  Three D. Z. 35 igniters with No. 8 detonators are screwed into these wells.  An aluminum lid is placed over this assembly to act as a pressure plate.

Operation:

1. Pressure of 130 pounds on sides to 390 pounds in center depresses cover and sets off one or more of the three pressure fuzes, either German D.Z. 35 or T.Mi.Z.42.

2. Fuzes explode detonators, boosters, main charge.

L.P.Z. (Light A/T or A/P)

Diameter/Width: 10 and 1/2 inches

Depth: 5 inches

Total Weight: 9 pounds

Explosive: TNT

Explosive Weight: 5 pounds

Material: Sheet Metal

Color: Gray

Description: This is a light antitank mine, convertible to antipersonnel.  The explosive charge is contained in two saucer-shaped covers and an outer cover serves as a pressure plate.  Five igniters are built into the mine and spaced radially around it.  The igniter strikers, which face upwards toward the top of the mine, are held under spring tension and are cocked in position by locking balls.  A flame tube or flash chamber leads from each of the igniter caps to a central chamber over the main detonator.  The safety screw threads into this chamber and when it is screwed tightly clockwise, the white line marked "SICHER" on screw head is opposite white mark on mine.  The beveled end on the screw closes the flash hole leading to the detonator.  Three bolts, radially spaced, serve to secure the main charge to the pressure plate.

Operation: Pressure crushes the mine cover, and forces one or more igniter housings downward over their plungers.  This action compresses the outer spring, allowing the steel locking balls to be forced outward into upper recesses, releasing the striker.  The released striker, driven by the striker spring, explodes the percussion cap.  Flame from the cap travels through the flame tube and chamber, and ignites the detonator, booster, and main charge.

Remarks: If the mine is used against personnel, bottom fuze nuts are removed and the mine, resting on threaded end of plungers, is placed on a flat hard surface.  Light pressure on the mine cover depresses the entire mine and forces the plungers upward into the igniter housing.

Glassmine 43 (f) (A/P)

Length: 6 inches

Depth: 4 and 1/8 inches

Explosive: Sprengkorper 28

Explosive Weight: 7 ounces (approx.)

Material: Glass

Pull or Pressure required: 20 to 25 pounds

Color: Clear

Description: The mine consists of a glass "dish" which is covered by a thin glass shear plate.  The explosive charge is a standard sprengkorper 28 German demolition block.  Either the Buck chemical igniter or the "Schuko" igniter may be employed as shown above.  A metal safety fork fits into grooves in the pressure plate, providing a bridge to the outer edges of the mine, and supports the safety fork until such time as the mine is laid.

A grooved shoulder on the inside of the case, about 2 inches from the bottom, supports the igniter plate.  When the Schuko igniter is used the igniter plate consists of a thin sheet metal plate which has a central hole for the igniter.  When the Buck chemical igniter is used, however, an igniter plate having the same diameter and igniter hole but of stronger design is employed.  Four circular corrugations on the plate not only serve to strengthen it, but also to raise the igniter hole by 3/8 inch.

The mine is stated to be proof against sea, air, and sea water, and with each mine is supplied sufficient cement putty to ensure this.  The putty is used around the circumference of the igniter plate and around the edge of the glass shear plate.

Operation: When sufficient pressure is applied to the glass pressure plate, the shear plate is broken and crushes the top of the Buck igniter or trips the actuating lever of the Schuko igniter, depending on which is used.

Next Time: German Mines and Grenades (Part 6)

Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters