65. Tellermine 43 (Mushroom, Pilz) (T.Mi. 43 (P))

a. Description. The Tellermine 43 (mushroom) (fig. 73) is 12 1/2 inches in diameter and 4 inches high. It weighs 18 pounds, including 12 pounds of explosive. It has a mushroom-shaped pressure plate, 7 1/2 inches in diameter, but no pressure plug. The entrie pressu-re plate unscrew to reveal the main fuze well. The Tel-lermine 43 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 in road blocks and defense systems. The mushroom shaped pressure plate acts as a cover to make the mine more weatherproof than the other Tellermines and causes it to function well under all types of weather conditions. This mine and other Tellermines were sometime encased in earthenware or concrete wa-terproofing slabs (fig. 74). Because of the waterproofing characteristic, such mines are employed underwater at likely assault landing or stream crossing points.

c. Functioning.

(1)

If the Tellermine fuze 43 (fig. 37) is used, the mine can be set off by either pressu-re or pressure release.

(a)

Pressure. Pressure of at least 570 pounds applied to the mushroom-shaped pressure plate forces 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 mushroom-shaped pressure plate 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.

(2)

If the Tellermine fuze 42 (fig. 20) is used, the mine can be set off by pressure only. Pressure of at least 570 pounds applied to the mushroom-shaped pressure plate is sufficient to shear the shear pin retaining the striker, releasing the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap and firing the mine.

Figure 73. Tellermine 43 (mushroom) 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 mushroom-shaped pressure plate from the 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 on the mushroom-shaped pressure plate. If the Tellermine fuze 43 is beeing used, screw the mushroom-shaped pressure plate until a click is heard. This indica-tes that the arming shear pin 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.

Figure 74. An earthenware pot for Tellermines.