Anti-personnel and anti-tank mines were used extensively during WWII, along with booby traps, trip wires and improvised explosive devices. The German S-mine (Schrapnellmine, Springmine or Splittermine in German) was a bounding mine. Also known as Bouncing Betty by the Allied infrantrymen - which had a great psychological effect on Allied forces because of its tendency to seriously maim, rather than kill. The S-mine was normally triggered by a three-pronged pressure fuse. It could also be modified to be triggered by a tripwire. When triggered, the mine functioned in two stages. 1. First, the mine was fired 0.9 to 1.5 meters (2 ft 11 in to 4 ft 11 in) upwards by a small propellant charge. 2. Approximately a half-second later, the main charge detonated at the optimum height to kill or severely injure anyone in the immediate area. 3. The main charge of the mine was surrounded by roughly 360 steel balls, short steel rods, or scrap metal pieces. These became metal shrapnel that sprayed horizontally from the mine at high velocity. The time between triggering and ignition of the propelling charge varied between 3.9 and 4.5 seconds, depending on the age and condition of the mine. According to German documentation, the S-mine was lethal within 20 meters (66 ft) and could inflict casualties within 100 meters (330 ft). American training manuals warned of casualties at up to 140 meters (460 ft)
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 02:39:42 +0000
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