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
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