American Projectiles and Explosives - Anti-Personnel and Trip Mines

American Projectiles and Explosives



Anti-Personnel Mines

M2, M2A1, M2A2, M2A3, M2A3B1, M2A3B2, M2A4, and M2A4B2

M2A1

Overall Height: 6.5 inches
Case diameter: 2.5 inches
Base diameter: 5.25 inches
Weight of shell: 3 pounds
Weight of explosive: 0.4 pounds
Material: Steel
Lethal range: 60 feet

General: The M2 is a "bounding" anti-personnel mine, usually activated by a combination firing device.  The M2 has undergone several structural modifications to make it watertight.  The mine consists of an explosive shell contained in an upright thin-walled steel tube which is riveted to the base plate.  A cavity in the base plate contains the propelling charge, which consists of 20 grains of black powder in a small bag.  The tube containing the shell is sealed at the top by a metal cap.  A 1/4-inch pipe nipple threaded to the base plate serves as a connection for the firing mechanism.  Attached to the pipe nipple is a coupling into which is fitted the primer and igniter assembly.  The primer is protected during shipment by a hexagonal cap.


Modifications: The Mine M2 has been modified inthat the thin-walled steel tube is silver-soldered to the base (M2A1), or stamped (M2A3), instead of being riveted (M2).  The Mine M2A3B1 is a modification in which the tube, base, and nipple are cast in one piece.  The mine was approved but not issued, being too heavy.  The Mine M2A3B2 is a combination of the M2A3 and the M2A3B1, in that the base is cast but the tube and nipple are stamped to the base.  In the M2A4, which has two propellant bags, the tube and nipple are welded to the base, while, in the M2A4B2, the tube and nipple are welded to a base which is cast.  The M2A2 was a field modification thought to involve the use of a canvas bag.


Operation: The mine is similar to a small mortar.  When the fuze is actuated, the primer sets off the igniter.  The flash from the igniter sets off the propelling charge in the base plate.  The propelling charge projects the shell into the air and at the same time ignites the delay fuse in the base of the shell.  When the shell is at a height of approximately six feet above the base plate, the delay fuse fires a tetryl booster, which detonates the main charge.  The effective lethal range of the shell is 60 feet.


Color: The mine and firing device are dull olive drab in color except for the base flange, which is yellow.


Remarks: Each mine is packed in a corrugated paper carton with firing device, attached igniter, and four spools of wire.  Markings of "Olive Drab" or "Sand Color" on outside of container refer to the color of the wire.

M3

Body length: 5.4 inches
Body height: 3.5 inches
Body width: 3.5 inches
Weight: 9.6 pounds
Flaked TNT explosive: 0.9 pounds
Material: Cast iron
Lethal range: 30 feet
Color: Olive drab

Components: The mine consists of a rectangular cast-iron body containing high explosive, with fuze wells on two opposite sides and one end.  The filling hole on the other end is closed by a disc.  The mine is activated by the Fuze M7A1.


Remarks: On the surface, the lethal range for the mine is 30 feet.  If the mine is buried only deep enough to be camouflaged, the effective range is reduced to approximately 10 feet.

Exposure to moisture will not affect the operation of the mine; however, it is not water-proof and should not be planted where it will be immersed in water for more than a few days.






Practice Mine M8


The Practice Mine M8 is similar in appearance and operation to the M2A3.  Obsolete bodies of Mines M2 and M2A1B1 are utilized.  This mine does not contain a propelling charge in the base, as does the standard H.E. mine.  The propelling charge for projecting the cardboard projectile into the air is contained in the igniter charge on the base of the fuze.  The projectile contains a 12-gauge shotgun charge loaded with black powder to simulate the action of a live mine.  The primer and igniter, which has a delay of approximately five seconds, is activated by the M10 Combination Mine Fuze.  This fuze is a three-pronged firing device similar to the Combination Mine Fuze M6.

Trip Flares for Mine Fields

M48

General: Trip flares are used as a warning device in forwards edges of mine fields.  They can replace or supplement anti-personnel mines, especially when the field is being hastily prepared.  The flares give warning of approaching patrols entering the mine field and illuminate the area so that effective fire can be directed at intruders.

M48: This is a mortar-type parachute flare similar in appearance to the M2 series of anti-personnel mine.  The flare, weighing a total of five pounds, has a metal case which is painted olive drab.  In operation, the functioning of the igniter sets off the propelling charge, which projects the canister into the air and ignites the delay fuse in its base.  When the canister is 300 to 500 feet in the air, the delay fuse sets off the propelling charge in its base, which forces the flare and parachute out of the canister and sets off the ignition charge at the base of the flare.

The parachute unfolds, and the ignition charge ignites the flare, which burns for 20 seconds.  It illuminates effectively a circle of 300 yards radius.



M49


M49: This is a candle flare for use above the ground.  The flare, weighing a total of 1.4 pounds, has a laminated paper body with metal fittings which are painted olive drab.  Functioning of the flare is similar to that of the Fragmentation Hand Grenade Mk II.  The flare is installed with a taut trip wire which holds the trigger in an armed (vertical) position against the pressure of the trigger spring.  An additional pull of two to nine pounds on the trip wire pivots the trigger against the pressure of the spring, or release of the tension in the trip wire allows the spring to pivot the trigger in the opposite direction, either of which will release the cocked lever.  The pressure of the striker throws the lever off, and the released striker fires the percussion cap.  The flame from the cap ignites the black powder, which blows out the top and ignites the illuminant composition.  The flare produces a brilliant white light for approximately one minute.

The M49 can also be installed with a loose trip wire by having the trigger horizontal and attaching a trip wire to the safety pin.  A subsequent pull on the wire would withdraw the safety pin and permit the flare to fire.





Firecracker


Mk 2 Mod 0

General: The firecracker is used as a practice charge for booby traps and firing devices.  It produces a loud report accompanied by a bright flash and a considerable quantity of smoke, yet it is designed to reduce the hazard from flying particles such as are attendant upon the use of a standard potassium perchorate firecracker or flash salute.  The Firecracker Mk 2 Mod 0 contains no high explosive.  It is coated with a waterproofing material, yet it should be stored in a dry place.


Installation: The nipple of the coupling base of any standard firing device is pushed through the wax-filled hold int he hollowed end of the firecracker and rotated clockwise until at least two threads of the coupling base are inside the hollowed end.

Next Time: Explosive Bombs - Modified Series, and "M" Series (Part 1)