Tellermine 35 (Stahl) (T.Mi. 35 (S))Tellermine 43 (Pilz) (T.Mi. 43 (P))
GERMAN MINE WARFARE EQUIPMENT
PART TWO – GERMAN MINE WARFARE EQUIPMENT
CHAPTER 6 - ANTITANK MINES
Section I. STANDARD ANTITANK MINES

64. Tellermine 42 (T.Mi. 42)

a. Description. The Tellermine 42 (fig. 70) is 12 3/4 inches in diameter and 4 inches high. It weighs 19 pounds, including 11 pounds of explosive. It has a circular, fluted pressure plate, 6 inches in diameter, instead of an overall pressure plate as in the Tellermines 35 (par. 62) and 35 (steel) (par. 63). A hexagonal pressure plug in the center of the pres-sure plate covers the main fuze well. The Tellermine 42 has two activating fuze wells, one in the bottom and one in the side. A carrying handle is provided. This mine uses the Tellermine fuze 42 (par. 16) or 43 (par. 33) in the main fuze well.

b. Employment. This mine is used primarily in mine belts, mine fields, and other areas sub-ject to artillery fire and other blast effect. The smaller pressure plate makes the mine less likely to be detonated from pressure caused by blast than the Tellermine 35 and 35 (steel). The Tellermine 42 is also used in road blocks and defense systems.

Figure 70. Tellermine 42.

c. Installing and Arming.

(1)

If the Tellermine fuze 43 (fig. 71) is used, the mine can be set off by either pressu-re or pressure release.

(a)

Pressure. Pressure of from 250 to 400 pounds applied to the hexagonal pressu-re plug or to the pressure plate force the pressure sleeve down until the main shear pin rests against the top of the fuze case. The pressure then shears the main shear pin, forcing the pressure sleeve down until the striker-retaining balls escape into the upper recess, releasing the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap and firing the mine.

(b)

Pressure release. Unscrewing the hexagonal pressure plug allows the pressure sleeve to ride up under the force of the compressed striker spring until the two striker-retaining balls escape into the lower recess, releasing the spring-loaded striker, against the percussion cap and firing the mine.

Figure 71. Tellermine 42 with Tellermine fuze 42.

(2)

If the Tellermine fuze 42 (fig. 72) is used, the mine can be set off by pressure only. Pressure of about 570 pounds applied to the hexagonal pressure plug or to the pressure plate forces the pressure plug against the protruding striker shaft with sufficient force to shear the shear pin, releasing the striker-loaded striker against the percussion cap and firing the mine.

Figure 72. Tellermine 42 with Tellermine fuze 42.

d. Installing and Arming.

(1)

Place the mine in the ground with the carrying handle horizontal or down.

(2)

Unscrew the hexagonal pressure plug from the main fuze well.

(3)

Screw a detonator-retaining collar, with the detonator, to the base of a Tellermine fuze 42 or 43.

(4)

Insert the Tellermine fuze 42 or 43, with detonator, into the main fuze well.

(5)

Screw in the hexagonal pressure plug. If the Tellermine fuze 43 is being used, screw the hexagonal pressure plug in until a click is heard. This indicates that the arming shear pins have sheared and that the fuze is now armed.

(6)

If activating is desired, screw any pull fuze with standard threads into an activating fuze well. Refer to chapter 5 for the correct procedure on installing and arming for the activating fuze.

e. Neutralizing. Since there is no visual way to determine the type of fuze used, no at-tempt should be made to neutralize the mine. The mine should be destroyed in place or pulled loose with rope or wire and dragged to a safe place and then destroyed. When pulling the mine loose, lie prone at a distance of about 50 yards from the mine.

f. Packing. One mine is packed in an open wooden crate or two mines are packed on edge in a metal box with a hinged lid.

Tellermine 35 (Stahl) (T.Mi. 35 (S))Tellermine 43 (Pilz) (T.Mi. 43 (P))