69. Hollow-Charge Mine (Hohlladungsmine)

a. Description. The antitank hollow-charge mine (fig. 78) consists of a hermisherical, 3.5-pound hollow main charge encased in sheet metal. It contains a propeling charge capable of lifting the mine 3 feet into the air. The proppeling charge is connected to the fuze by 2 to 3 feet of detonating cord. The fuze may be the snap fuze 43/1 (par. 18), the snap fuze 43/II (par. 19), or the Tellermine fuze 42 (par. 16).

Figure 78. Hollow-charge mine.

b. Employment. This mine is employed as an antitank mine and is held one or two mines to each fuze.

(1)

With the snap fuze 43/I (par. 18). A sideward pressure exerted on the extension rod of the fuze bends it and causes the pull chain to pull the shear strip upward un-til the buffer is reached. Further pressure shears the shear strip, releasing the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap and firing the detonating cord. The detonating cord fires the propelling charge and ignites the delay pellet. The propel-ling charge lifts the mine about 3 feet into the air or until it strikes the undersite of a tank or vehicle. The delay pellet fires the detonator and the main charge.

(2)

With the snap fuze 43/II (par 19). A sideward pressure exerted on the extension rod of the fuze breaks it at the shear groove and snaps the plastic shear rod, re-leasing the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap and firing the detonat-ing cord. The detonating cord fires the propelling charge and ignites the delay pel-let. The propelling charge lifts the mine about 3 feet into the air or until strikes the underside of a tank or vehicle. The delay pellet fires the detonator and the main charge.

(3)

With the Tellermine fuze 42 (par. 16). A pressure of at least 570 pounds on the mushroom-shpaed pressure plate crushes the plate and shears the shear pin in the fuze, releasing the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap. The percussion cap fires the detonating cord, which, in turn, fires the propelling charge and ignites the delay pellet. The propelling charge lifts the mine about 3 feet into the air or un-til it strikes the undersite of a tank or vehicle. The delay pellet fires the detonator and the main charge.

d. Installing and Arming.

(1)

With the snap fuze 43/1 (fig. 78).

(a)

Install the fuze in a board or improvised device on the surface of the ground so that it will breaks instead of giving way or tilting when a sideward pressure is exterted on the extension rod.

(b)

Insert a detonator and a delay pellet into the mine.

(c)

Connect the mine to the fuze with 2 to 3 feet of detonating cord, using fuze adapters.

(d)

Dig a hole and install the individual mines upright with the seam in the metal case at ground level. Make a groove in the surface of the ground and bury the detonating cord.

(e)

Remove the safety-pin-retaining wire from the fuze.

(f)

Remove the safety pin from the fuze by means of the attached safety-pin-removal wire.

(2)

With the snap fuze 43/II (fig. 78).

(a)

Install the fuze in a board or improvised device on the surface of the ground so that it will break instead of giving way or tilting when a side-ward pressure is exerted on the extension rod.

(b)

Insert a detonator and delay pellet into the mine.

(c)

Connect the mine to the fuze with 2 to 3 feet of detonating cord, using fuze adapters.

(d)

Dig a hole in the ground and install the individual mines upright with the seam in the metal case at ground level. Make a groove in the surface of the ground and bury the detonating cord.

(e)

Remove the safety collar from the fuze by sliding it upward and off the extens-ion rod.

(3)

With the Tellermine fuze 42 (fig. 79).

(a)

Install the fuze in a board or improvised device on the surface of the ground.

(b)

Insert a detonator and delay pellet into the mine.

(c)

Connect the mine of the fuze with 2 to 3 feet of detonating cord, using fuze adapters

(d)

Dig a hole in the ground and install individual mines upright with the seam in the metal case at ground level. Make a groove in the ground and bury the detonat-ing cord.

(e)

Place a mushroom-shaped pressure plate from the Tellermine 43 over the fuze so the pressure plate is flush with the surface of the ground. (The fuze has no safeties and is armed once the detonating cord is attached.)

Note. In each of the procedure described above the detonating cord should be at right angles to the line of probable approach of tanks. If two mines are used, one is laid on each of the fuze.

e. Neutralizing.

(1)

With the snap fuze 43/I. Do not move the extension rod. The fuze may have been partially broken or subjected to blast, and any movement might cause detonating of the mine.

(a)

Replace the safety pin, using the original pin, a nail, or a heavy wire, and fix it firmly to the fuze by wiring it in place.

(b)

Very carrefully uncover and cut the detonating cord near the fuze. Do not pull or distrub the detonating cord while uncovering or cutting it since it may cause the fuze or function.

(c)

Remove the detonating cord and the detonator from the mine.

(d)

Remove the detonating cord from the fuze.

(2)

With the snap fuze 43/II. A mine using this fuze should be detonated in place since the only safety device is the safety collar, which will probably not be available. Im-provised safety devices are difficult to construct. If neutralizing is necessary, pro-ceed as follows:

(a)

Very carefully uncover and cut the detonating cord near the fuze. Do not pull or distrub the detonating cord while uncovering or cutting it since it may cause the fuze to function.

(b)

Remove the detonating cord and the detonator from the mine.

(c)

Remove the detonating cord from the fuze.

(3)

With the Tellermine fuze 42. The fuze has no safeties and is armed once the deto-nating cord is attached.

(a)

Uncover and cut the detonating cord near the fuze.

(b)

Remove the detonating cord and the detonator from the mine.

(c)

Remove the detonating cord from the fuze.