98. Antipersonnel Clay Mine.

a. Description. The antipersonnel clay mine (fig. 117) consists of a cylindrical, baked-clay case with a flat stucco-like pressure lid. It is 8 inches in diameter and 3 inches high, and weighs 4 pounds, including about 3 pounds of explosive and a cylindrical booster charge. Four pull fuzes 42 (par 42), with detonators attached, are set in hollow horizontal cham-bers at 90° to each other in the lower part of the pressure lid. These chambers lead to a central ingnition chamber which contains the main detonator. The lid has four holes of about 1/2-inch diameter in the top for insertion or sprays of leaves or grass to aid in ca-mouflaging the mine.

b. Employment. This mine is employed in antitank mine fields to hinder reconnaissance and breaching parties.

c. Functioning. A pressure of 40 pounds on the pressure lid shears off the rim of the lid and pushes the striker-retaining pin out of one or more of the pull fuzes 42, releasing the spring-loaded striker against the percussion cap and firing the detonator, which sets off the main detonator, the booster charge, and the main charge.

d. Installing and Arming. These mines should be laid with a distance of at least 3 feet between mines to prevent sympathetic detonation.

(1)

Place the mine in a hole so the pressure lid is even with the ground surface.

(2)

Remove the pressure lid and place four pull fuzes 42, with detonators, in the fuze wells in the pressure lid so the wings of the striker-retaining pins are above the striker shaft.

(3)

Place the mine detonator in the hole in the booster charge.

(4)

Position the pressure lid on the mine so the fuzes coincide with the four slots in the rim of the clay case.

e. Neutralizing.

(1)

Lift the pressure lid vertically, with case.

(2)

Remove the pull fuzes and their detonators.

(3)

Remove the main detonator.

Figure 117. Antipersonnel clay mine.