General

British mine-warfare policy is nearly identical to American policy in all major respects. The British employ anti-tank and anti-personnel mines according to the demands of the situation. The available information on these type of mines and their fuzes in presented in this section. Each fuze is discussed under the mine with which it is used. The "Hawk-ins" Grenades No. 75 Mks I - III, which are commonly used as land mines, are discussed under Part 5, chap. 3, Anti-Tank Grenades.

Designation

The British designation of their land mines is sligthly irregular. The anti-tank mines are generally designated by a "Mark" in Roman numerals, which corresponds to the U.S. Navy "Mark", and is preceded by the letters "G.S." or "E.P." Two practies anti-tank mines are designated by "Number" instead of "Mark". Anti-personnel mines vary considerably in the form of their designation, but are most commenly designated by "Mark", "Number", or both "Number" and "Mark".

Construction

Anti-tank mines generally are of simple construction consisting of an explosive-filled body containing a fuze housing, and a pressure plate or spider, which fits over the top of the body.

Anti-personnel mines vary widely in construction and are of greater complexity than the anti-tank mines.

Filling

TNT and Baratol are the explosive fillings most commonly used in anti-tank mines, while anti-personnel mines may employ TNT, Amatol, Gelignite, Pentolite 50/50, and RDX/ TNT 50/50.

Color and Markings

Land mines are usually olive drab in color and have the mine designation, filling, date of filling etc. stencilled on the body.

Special markings and coloring are used in some cases.