3 May 2022 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[fjruple]

Probably setting up the mines to be pulled across the road when the tanks come by.

[RAM1ALASKA]

Interesting,,,,
Anybody have any further insight into this setup ?
Never seen or heard of before .

[fjruple]

Interesting,,,,
Anybody have any further insight into this setup ?
Never seen or heard of before .

I remember being taught this method of ambush/hasty defense. Normally a "volunteer" would be in hiding along side the roadway in a very confined area where vehicles can not go. The tanks would be buttoned up and their vision will be very limited on the sides of the road. In a lots of cases the tank commander and drivers will not see the rope lying across the roadway. At the last minute the mines are pulled across the roadway into the tracks of the tank. With track blown off the tank would be immobilized blocking the roadway. If properly done the same situation should happen to the last tank in convoy thus blocking any escape from destruction. The anti-tank mines used requires about 500 lbs of direct pressure to set them off. So there is no real danger of setting them off when they are dragged in front the tank.

[Flying10uk]

Looking at and studying the photo, I would assume that the mines have been "wired up together" so that if one goes off they all go off.

[browningautorifle]

I would assume that the mines have been "wired up together"

They would have to be set solidly for that. Buried...and then wired together. Usually they're command detonated for that trick.

[Mark in Rochester]

FM 5-31 Land Mines and Booby Traps 1943 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

[browningautorifle]

Yes, I have one of those publications here still. Used to have one of those safety forks holding my quick release of my rucksack together.