German Explosives
Tellermine 35 (A/T)
Diameter/Width: 12 and 1/2 inches
Depth: 3 inches
Total Weight: 20 pounds
Explosive: TNT
Explosive Weight: 12 pounds
Material: Steel
Pull or Pressure required: 200 to 400 pounds
Color: Gray or Dark Green (European pattern); Tan (Desert pattern)
Description: The body of the mine is a circular metal box with a dome-shaped top surface containing 11 pounds of high grade pressed TNT. A "floating" cover is held down by a heavy metal ring attached to the body and is supported in the center by a heavy spring. A compressible rubber ring serves as a cushioned seat for the bottom of the igniter. A threaded washer locks in the detonator and an adjusting collar serves to position the igniter. The igniter is screwed into the mine cover until it bears firmly on the rubber washer.
There are two receptacles in the mine body, one in the side and one in the bottom, threaded to receive secondary firing devices. Either pull friction igniter Z.Z. 35 or ZDSCHN. ANZ. 29 with a detonator is used for the secondary firing.
A rubber strip seals the junction between the cover and the body of the mine against the entry of water and dirt.
Operation: Pressure of 200 to 400 pounds on the cover depresses the cover and the igniter housing. The igniter housing presses on top of the striker, shearing shear pin which holds the striker in the cocked position. Driven by the striker spring, the striker spring sets off the percussion cap, detonator, booster, and main charge.
Remarks: The operation of the mine is affected by the position of the adjusting collar in the body. If the collar is screwed beyond its correct position, a greater pressure on the mine cover is required to compress the spring sufficiently to cause the igniter to fire. Conversely, if the collar is screwed in short of its correct position, less pressure is required on the mine cover and the mine is relatively more sensitive.
Tellermine 35 (Steel) (A/T)
Diameter/Width: 12 and 1/2 inches
Depth: 3 and 1/2 inches
Total Weight: 21 pounds
Explosive: TNT
Explosive Weight: 12 pounds
Material: Steel
Pull or Pressure required: 250 to 400 pounds
Color: Gray
Description: The Tellermine 35 (Steel) is a modification of the Tellermine 35. The pressure plate is corrugated for extra strength and a booster charge has been added under the detonator and around the secondary igniter wells.
When either the T. Mi. Z. 42 or T. Mi. Z. 43 igniters is employed a screw plug in the top of the mine covers the igniter.
Operation: Operation of the mine, when fuzed with the T. Mi. Z. 35, is the same as that described for the Tellermine 35.
When either the T. Mi. Z. 42 or T. Mi. Z. 43 is used, sufficient pressure on the pressure plate causes the screw plug to bear on the top of the igniter, breaking the shear wire and causing it to fire.
Tellermine 42 (A/T)
Diameter/Width: 12 and 3/4 inches
Depth: 4 inches
Total Weight: 20 pounds
Explosive: TNT
Explosive Weight: 12 pounds
Material: Steel
Pull or Pressure required: 250 to 400 pounds
Color: Gray
Description: The Tellermine 42 is similar to the Tellermine 35 except that the pressure plate is much smaller and does not include the entire top surface. The main igniter, the T. Mi. Z. 42, is placed in the receptacle in the center of the mine. Then the pressure cap is screwed onto the pressure plate and comes to rest on the head of the striker.
Operation: Pressure of 250 to 400 pounds on the pressure plate forces the pressure cap down, since it is fuzed to the pressure plate, and compresses the heavy spring and detonates the mine.
Tellermine 43 (Pilz or Mushroom) (A/T)
Diameter/Width: 12.5 inches
Depth: 4 inches
Total Weight: 18 pounds
Explosive: TNT
Explosive Weight: 12 pounds
Material: Steel
Pull or Pressure required: 250 to 400 pounds
Color: Gray
Description: This mine is similar to the T. Mi. 42 except that the pressure plate is solid; i.e., there is no threaded hole for the insertion of the igniter and no screw cap. The entire pressure plate will unscrew from the mine and reveal the T. Mi. Z. 42 or T. Mi. Z. 43 igniter. The walls of the mushroom-shaped pressure plate are thin and there is no heavy spring under the pressure plate.
Operation: Downward pressure on the mushroom will crush the walls and force the head of the striker down, igniting the mine.
Next Time: German Mines and Grenades (Part 4)
Source: German Explosive Ordnance Vol. 1: Bombs, Rockets, Grenades, Mines, Fuzes & Igniters
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