74. Antitank Schnellmine, Type B (Panzer Schnellmine, B)

a. Description. The antitank Schnellmine, type B (fig. 84) is identical to the type A ex-cept for the fuze and the diameter of the shear dowels. This mine uses two Buck chemi-cal fuzes (par. 28) which are screwed through the top of the case into booster charges near the center of the main charge. The pressure lid rests on two 3/4 inch wooden shear dowels, not on the fuzes.

b. Employment. This mine was designed for employment as an antitank mine. It is not used during periods of wet weather, because it is not waterproof.

c. Functioning. A pressure of 200 pounds on the pressure lid shears the two wooden shear dowels and crushes the Buck chemical fuzes, producing a flame which fires the de-tonators, the booster charges, and the main charge.

d. Installing and Arming.

(1)

Raise the pressure lid of the mine and place the two wooden shear dowels in the holes provided.

(2)

Remove the wooden plugs from the fuze wells.

(3)

Screw two Buck chemical fuzes, with detonators, through the top of the wooden case into the booster charges.

Caution: Grasp the Buck chemical fuze as near the base as possible to avoid crushing the fragile aluminum shell.

(4)

Lower the pressure lid carefully on the wooden shear dowels and place the mine in the hole so the pressure lid is level with the ground surface.

Note. When laying more than one mine, keep 13-foot intervals between mines to re-duce the possibility of sympathetic detonation.

Figure 84. Antitank Schnellmine, type B.

e. Neutralizing.

(1)

Uncover the mine and make sure it is not damaged from either blast or deteriora-tion.

Caution: Deterioration of the wood, over a period of time, makes this mine unsafe to handle. The wooden shear dowels must be in place and intact; otherwise, the mine will explode when the pressure lid is dropped.

(2)

Check for activating fuzes on the pressure lid, the side, and the bottom of the wooden case.

(3)

Lift the pressure lid of the mine.

(4)

Unscrew the Buck chemical fuze and detonators from the booster charge.

(5)

Remove the detonators from the fuzes.

f. Packing. Mines are issued and carried individually. Detonators and fuzes are packed in separate boxes, 10 to a box, and carried separately. The fuze wells are closed by woo-den plugs to keep out dirt before the mine is armed. The two wooden shear dowels are taped to the top of the wooden case.