125. Parachute Trip Flare M48, listed as above, is, in effect, a one-shot mortar fired by a trip wire. It projects an illuminating flare to an altitude of 300 to 500 feet, where as pa-rachute-borne candle ignites when expelled from the shell case. The candle burns for about 20 seconds with a yellow-white light of approximately 110,000 candlepower, and illuminates an aera with a radius of 300 yards. The complete flare consists of a base, on which the flare and parachute unit is contained ina steel tube, 2.4 inches inside diame-ter. In the base of the tube is the propelling charge of 75 grains of propellant powder. Above the propelling charge is a fuze of approximately three second's delay. This fuze ig-nites the expelling charge in the shell as it attains the proper altitude. The expelling charge then ejects the candle and parachute, igniting the candle by means of a second fuze which is threaded through a felt pad that separates the candle from the expelling charge. The entire flare is fired by a trip wire attached to the firing mechansim which is contained in a 0.25-inch pipe mounted on the base parallel to the steel tube containing the flare unit. The firing mechanism consists of a firing pin, actuated by a spring, a pri-mer, an igniter, and a relay charge. See Fig. 54. The flare is held in safe condition by a double safety: a cotter pin which holds the pull ring in place and a safety screw. The flare may be fired either by a four-to-six-pound pull on the trip wires or by 20 to 30 pound's pressure on a pressure cap. The flare is hidden by burying it so that the top of the shell is three inches below the groung.

Figure 54. – Trip-Wire Flare M48

Operation

126. The proper use of Parachute Trip Flare M48 requires the following steps:

(a) The entire flare should be placed in a hole the top of the shell is approximately three inches below grade. Arrange the cord on the safety cotter pin so that it will not be bur-ied.

(b) The earth should be tamped down on top of the case.

(c) The trip wire or wires should be attached to a tree or stake in the direction or direc-tions parallel to the enemly lines, or nearly so, and hidden so well as ground conditions permit.

(d) Attach the trip wire or wires to the pull ring of the firing mechanism.

(e) Straighten the safety cotter pin so that it may be withdrawn with a steady pull on the cord, and remove the safety screw.

(f) Test the safety cotter pin for binding. Should it bind when the safety screw has been removed, the trip wire may be too tight, or the fuze may be defective. In either case, replace the safety screw before correcting the defect.

(g) When the safety cotter pin moves freely, leave it in place and cover the flare with loose earth, camouflaging if necessary. The withdrawn the safety cotter pin by drawing gently on the cord.

(h) When leaving the flare set, case must be taken not to step on the pressure cap at the top of the firing mechanism, nor to contact the trip wire.

(i) Record the location of the flare.

Packing

127. Parachute Trip Flare M48 is packed in an individual carton, with one firing device and the required length of suitably colored trip wire. Four such cartons are shipped in a wood box. The housing of the flare is painted and marked in black type, indicating the name of the flare, the lot number, and the date of loading.

Stowage

128. General rules for storing pyrotechnic ammunition as outlined in paragraphs 9 to 12, inclusive, apply to Parachute Trip Flare M48. Deteriorated flares should be disposed of as outlined in paragraph 17.

Safte Precautions

129. In addition to the steps taken in paragraph 126, covering the operation of Parachu-te Trip Flare M48, the following precautions should be taken:

(a) The flare should be planted to that it will not endanger friendly personnel, and so that the illuminating of 300-yard radius will not expose defense positions.

(b) The housing of the flare should be carefully inspected for tight joints before planting. The flare should not be planted in swampy or wet ground to that moisture seeping into the flare housing will cause malfunctioning.