95. Wooden-Block Mine, Type A

a. Description. The antipersonnel wooden-block mine, type A (fig. 115) consists of a rectangular block of wood, 7 inches long and approximately 2 inches square. A charge hole to accomodate the main charge, which is a standard German cylindrical 100-gram (0.22 pound) demolition charge, is bored lengthwise approximately two-thirds of the way through the center of the block. At the solid end of the block, a fuze hole is bored part of the way from the top of the block to take two chemical vials and a wooden pressure block. The top of the fuze hole is lager than the bottom. A cardboard disk rests on the ridge and supports the pressure block. A small hole to accommodate a detonator con-nects the charge hole with the fuze hole. A wooden pressure lid pivots about wooden pegs and rests on the pressure block. The open end of the charge hole is closed with a wooden or cork plug. The mine is, overall, 8 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide, and 2 1/4 in-ches high at the charge hole end.

b. Employment. This mine is laid along paths trails, road shoulders, approaches to likely fords across rivers and streams, and in antitank mine fields. It may be laid unburied in grass or wooded areas and covered with leaves or other vegetation.

c. Functioning. A pressure of approximately 10 pounds on the pressure lid forces the pressure block through the cardboard disk and crushes the two chemical vials, producing a flame which fires the detonator and the main charge.

Figure 115. Wooden-block mine, type A.

d. Installing and Arming.

(1)

Remove the wooden or cork plug from the charge hole.

(2)

Screw a detonator adapter into the fuze well of the main charge and insert a deto-nator in the adapter.

(3)

Push the main-charge-and-detonator assembly into the charge hole, detonator end first.

(4)

Close the charge hole with the wooden or cork plug.

(5)

Insert the two chemical vials into the fuze hole.

(6)

Place the cardboard disk on the ridge in the fuze hole.

(7)

Carefully rest the pressure block on the cardboard disk.

(8)

Lay the mine in firm ground with the fuze end away from the enemy.

(9)

Gently lower the pressure lid so it rests on the pressure block.

e. Neutralizing.

(1)

Check for and neutralize any activating fuzes.

(2)

Carefully raise the pressure lid without exerting any downward pressure.

(3)

Lift out the pressure block and the cardboard disk.

(4)

Carefully remove the two chemical vials.

(5)

Remove the wooden or cork plug from the charge hole.

(6)

Tip the mine so the main-charge-and-detonator assembly slides out.

(7)

Remove the detonator from the main charge.