81. Shell Mines (Geschossminen)

a. Description. The improvised antitank shell mine (fig. 93) consists of a large-caliber artillery shell set in a wooden frame. A pull fuze 42 (par. 42) is screwed into the head of the shell. The fuze case rests on the fuze-support block. The fuze-actuating block is fastened at right angles to the free end of the hinged pressure board. The fuze-actuat-ing block has a slot that clear the striker shaft of the fuze but not the wings of the stri-ker-retaining pin. The fuze-actuating block rests on two wooden dowels or nails projec-ting out of the fuze-support block.

b. Employment. This mine employed as an antitank beach mine with captured shells being used as the charges. It can also be used in road blocks and in mine fields; smaller shells, such as mortar shells, can be used as improvised antipersonnel mines.

c. Functioning. Pressure on the pressure board shears the two wooden dowels or bends over the two nails projecting out of the fuze-support block and pushes the striker-retai-ning pin out of the fuze, releasing the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap and firing the shell.

d. Installing and Arming.

(1)

Adapt the shell head to receive the fuze and place the shell in the wooden frame.

(2)

Screw the pull fuze 42, with detonator, into the shell. The wings of the striker-re-taining pin should be horizontal and below the striker shaft.

(3)

Lower the pressure board until the fuze-actuating block rests on the wooden dowels or nails projecting out of the fuze-support block.

e. Neutralizing.

(1)

Check for and neutralize any activating fuzes.

(2)

Make sure the striker-retaining pin of the pull fuze 42 extends entirely through the striker shaft.

(3)

Lift the pressure board.

(4)

Unscrew the fuze and detonator from the shell.

(5)

Remove the detonator from the fuze.

Figure 93. Improvised antitank shell mine.