MINES AND BOOBY TRAPS |
MILITARY TRAINING PAMPHLET No. 40 |
Part I (All Arms) - How to deal with individual mechanism |
CHAPTER I - SECTION 3. - BOOBY TRAPS SWITCHES |
British RELEASE switch |
This operates rather like a book opening. |
A tapered tongue projects inside the lid and bears against the spring when the switch is armed. The pressure of the spring tends to force the lid up. The lid is kept down by a weight – its removal will release the striker which fires a cap. Used under packing-cases and similar objects likely to be moved. Only a slight movement is necessary to fire it. |
To disarm |
i. |
Insert a safety pin or nail or piece of strong wire in the hole. The pin MUST go through both casing and striker head (as in sketch). |
ii. | Disconnect the cap holder. |
Note. – If you cannot get at the switch to insert a safety pin you may be able to cut the fuze coming from it. |
|
British RESSURE switch |
This switch is operated by pressure on the knob which releases a spring-loaded striker. It may be used under boards, mats, etc., and is fired by a weight of about 30 lb. |
To disarm |
i. | Remove the knob. |
ii. | Disconnect the cap holder. |
|
General note |
Both these switches may be used with safety or instantaneous fuze. |
British PULL switch |
This switch is used with a trip wire, which release the striker when pulled. |
To disarm |
i. | Insert safety pin or nail or piece of strong wire in the hole. |
ii. | Cut trip wire. |
iii. | Disconnect the cap holder. |
|
British L delay (lead break) |
This igniter contains a spring-loaded striker, held back by a lead strip which stretches and eventually breaks under the action of the spring. Initially the striker is held in place by a safety pin. |
There are various from 1 hour to 28 days. The igniter can be fitted direct to a detonator or safety fuze (using an adaptor). |
To disarm |
i. | It is not use trying to insert a safety pin as the striker will have moved, |
ii. |
There is no means of telling the delay remaining – therefore, gently remove by (a) cutting safety fuze, (b) is fitted to a detonator, by removal of igniter and detonator which should be put in a safe place. No attempt should be made to disconnect the detonator from the igniter. |
|
General note |
Both the pull switch and the L delay may be used with safety or instantaneous fuzes. |
British PRESSURE/PULL Switch (Electric) |
This switch contains a small battery and is designed to fire an electric detonator when either a trip wire is pulled or pressure is put on the plate. The pressure required to actu-ate the switch can be varied. The lightest pressure required is about 5 lb. |
To neutralize |
i. | Insert safety pin or nail or piece of strong wire in safety pin hole. |
ii. | Disconnect leads. |
|
American PULL switch, M1 |
This is essentially the same as the British pull switch, with one main modification: the cap holder is threaded to fit the American hand grenade and it can also be fitted to a detonator is addition to safety or instantaneous fuze. |
To disarm |
i. | Insert safety pin or nail or piece of strong wire in safety pin hole. |
ii. | Disconnect. |
|
American PRESS switch, M1 |
This is essentially the same as the British press switch. The cap holder is the same as that used in the American pull switch (described above). The pressure knob is held by a small spring and can NOT be removed. |
To disarm |
Disconnect. |
(Taking care NOT to exert pressure on the knob.) |
American RELEASE switch, M1 |
The action is essentially the same as the British release switch, but its appearance dif-fers. The cap holder is the same as described for the American PULL switch. When armed a pressure of at least 2 lb is required to hold down the release plate, which is normally held in position by a safety pin. (See sketch.) |
To disarm |
Replace safety pin or nail and disconnet. |