Description
This electrical mine consists of a plywood box, usually painted white to resemble a Soviet first-aid kit. It is 8 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 3 inches high. It weighs about 6.5 pounds, including 3.5 pounds of explosive. The mine contains an electrical ignition system wired to three dry cell batteries and containing three different contacts, any one of which may complete the circuit and fire the electric detonator. Under the main hinged cover is a removable plywood lid which fits over the explosive charge and ignition system. Wired to the plywood lid is an octagonal copper-wire ring connected to the batteries. Seven copper-wire loops are regularly spaced over the wire ring and are connected to it. Two arming contacts are connected to the wiring system; one closes the circuit if the mine is lifted, the other if the cover is raised.
The electrical dual-purpose mine is used both as an antipersonnel and anti transport mine. When camouflaged as a Soviet first-aid kit it is dispersed in former bivouac areas.
Functioning
This mine will detonate in one of three ways:
(1) Under pressure. Pressure on the cover of the mine crushes it, forcing the copper-wire loops to contact the wire ring. The contact closes the circuit and fires the mine.
(2) Lifting the cover. When an attempt to lift or remove the cover is made, the contact post attached to the cover slides up until it closes the circuit and fires the mine.
(3) Lifting the mine. When an attempt to lift the entire mine is made, the contact post in the bottom of the mine slides out of the hole until it closes the circuit and fires the mine.
Hazardous Components
Main charge - 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg)
Physical Data
Length - 8 in. (203 mm)
Height - 8 in. (203 mm)
Width - 3 in. (76 mm)
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
