79. Wooden-Box Mines

a. Description. Improvised antitank wooden-box mines vary greatly in size, amount of explosive, and type of construction. The amount of explosive varies from 7 to 20 pounds. The fuzes and the prepared charges employed depend on the mission the mine is to per-form. The two mines shown in figure 91 are typical improvised wooden-box mines. The main fuze is of the pressure type (usually a pressure fuze 35, par. 24) and is screwed into a prepared charge. The prepared charge acts as the booster charge. The main char-ge is made up of enough explosive to accomplish the mission. If activating is desired, a pull fuze may be screwed into a prepared charge and connected by a pull wire to the mine case, the pressure lid, or a small dead man.

b. Employment. These mines are used in road blocks and may be used as booby traps.

c. Functioning.

(1)

Pressure of about 150 pounds on the pressure lid actuates the pressure fuze, relea-sing the spring-loaded striker against the pressure cap and firing the prepared char-ge.

(2)

The prepared charge, acting as the booster charge, fires the main charge.

d. Installing and Arming.

(1)

Place the wooden mine case, with the main charge and one or more prepared char-ges, into a hole.

(2)

If activating is desired, screw a pull fuze, with detonator, into a prepared charge, and anchor the pull wire so the fuze will be actuated when the mine is lifted. If fea-sible, attach the pull wire of the activating pull fuze to the pressure lid of the mine.

(3)

Screw a pressure fuze, with detonator, into a prepared charge.

(4)

Remove the safety pins from the fuzes.

(5)

Cover the mine from 5 to 6 inches of earth.

e. Neutralizing.

(1)

Investigate the mine for activating fuzes, and neutralize any that are found. If a pull fuze is attached to the pressure lid of the mine, cut the slack pull wire and re-move the pressure lid; or, from a covered position, pull off the pressure lid with a 50-yard rope or wire.

(2)

Insert a safety pin in the safety-pin hole of the pressure fuze.

(3)

Unscrew the pressure fuze and detonator from the prepared charge.

(4)

Remove the detonator from the fuze.

Figure 91. Typical improvised antitank wooden-box mine.