french foreign legion mines booby traps

7/27/2019 French Foreign Legion Mines Booby Traps

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French ForeignlegionfiINESa

BTRAPSPALADIN PRESSBOULDER, COLORADO

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French Foreign Legion:Mines and Booby TrapsCopyright O 1985 by Paladin PressISBN 0-87364-344-5Printed in the United States of AmericaPublished by Paladin Press, a division bfPaladin Enterprises, Inc., P.Q. Box 1307,Boulder, Colorado 80306, USA,(303) 443-725oDirect inquiries and/or orders to the above address.All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, noportion of this book may be reproduced in any formwithout the express written permission of the publisher.Neither the author nor the publisher assumesany responsibility for the use or misuse ofinformation contained in this book.

CONTENTS

Demolition Squad: PIan ofOperation ...... 2Protection Squad: Plan ofOperation ...... 3VC Spherical Mine with Electric Fuze .. ... 7FragmentationMine ....9VCElectricMineFuze. ......11ImprovisedBottle-TypeMine ......13Pull-TypeFuzel .......15Pull-TypeFuzell ...... L7Faucet-TypeFuze ......19VC Improvised Igniter ....... 2lBoxed Mine ..... 23Pull-Release-Type Fuze . ..... 25Pivot-Plate Fuze ..... .. 27Stirrup-TypeFuze .....31Pressure-PlateFuze ....33Mine with Pull-Release-Type Fuze ........ 35AntivehicularMineC.B.X.Q.H ...... 37"Moka" Mine .... 39MinewithLeadPin.. ........4LSquare Fuze. .... 43Flat Mine with Two Fuzes . . . 45Bamboo MineVC Pull-Type Fuze . .. .. 49Mine-Bomb with Two Pull-Type Fuzes . . . . 51Insulated Fuze for Underwater Mine withDouble Igniter ... .... 52Drifting Mine with Four 280-mm Shells ... . . . . . 54AnchoredUnderwaterMine ........ 56Insulated Electric Fuze for AnchoredUnderwaterMin{ ....57

I\..-\*t*--


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French Foreign Legion: Mines and. Booby TrapsInsulated Electric Fuze for Underwater Mine . . . 59MinewithHollowChargeI.... ....61Beehive Type Hollow ChargeMine ....... 63Mine with Hollow Charge II. .. . . . . . 65Hollow Charge Mine with Base Stand . ... 67VC Hollow Charge with Slow-Burning Fuze .... 69Tripod Hollow Charge ....... 7IFuzeforTripodHollowCharge .....73Elongated Hollow Charge .... 75Anti-Mine-Demolition BoobyTrap ....... 77Booby Trap for Sabotaging a Train ... . . . 79Clepsydra (Water Clock) Contactor . ...... 81Wordsof Advice .......83Appendix: Recent Types of Mines and WeaponsUsed by the VC TroopsGrenade-TypeMine ......89Bamboo Mine ... .:91WideMouthedBottleMine .....93PineappleMine ....95Bounding Mine .. . . 97Bounding Bazoo Mine . .. 99Mine with Hollow Charge .. . . . 101UnderwaterMineL... .......103UnderwaterMinell ... .......105Time-Fuze Hand Grenadel .... .... . L07Time-FuzeHandGrenadell ... .... . 109Pull-TypeHandGrenade ......111PercussionHandGrenade ....113

IncendiaryHandGrenade ....115

Surprise or be sururisedfI

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2 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps S

oDemolition squad

oHead of demolition rqyddooooo

Forward demolition mani""ut"f,". for triP wires)\oo

Rear demolition man(searches for Pressure-type mines)

+oooooo 2oomProtectionpatrol Head of protection squad

First armored vehicleo

Head of demolition squad

Demolition Squad' Plan of Operation'O Demolition crew OProtection personnel'Protection Squad. plan of Operation.O Demolition crew p protection personnel.

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French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and. Booby Traps

Beware! If you step on a tiger's tail you may have onechance in a hundred of surviving. If you step on amine, you won't have one chance in a thousand.I\

Piece of bamboo ortin can

renade with safetY Pin

Beware! The piece of string may be a booby trap'


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6 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps

Threaded plugupling

WasherPaper bag

Detonator

Battery

Spherical Mine with Electric Fuze. Scale: 1:2.

French Foreign Legion: Mines and, Booby Traps 7

VC* SPHERICAL MINE WITHELECTRIC FUZEType: Fragmentation antipersonnel mine.Appearanee: Mine is made of cast iron withtions for fragmentation effect.Size: Outer diameter = 18 cm.Firing deuiee: Improvised electric fuze. Double firingwith two flashlight bulb caps.To set: Place the bag containing the improvised elec_tric fuze into the chamber. Screw in the threadedplug.Funetionizg.. Connecting the conductor wires to theterminals of an electric source of more than 3.5 rrolt,causes the explosion.Ne_utralizing: Cut the electric wires one at a time.Unscrew the cap. Remove the bag by rotatin;th;mine. Do not exert any pull on the wires. If th; ba;does not come out, destroy the mine on the spot. dSoure.e: Company_of the Corps of Engineers 7L/1,Region of Sadec, March, 1g4g-.

*Translator's note: V. M. in the original French, which stands forViet Minh (North Vietnamese). piesent-day meaning would beViet Cong (VC).

serra-

VC


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French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps

Holes for insertingCover

Fuze supportBrass g

Large relaycontainerSmall fuzecontainer

BatteryFlashlight bulb cap

French Foreign Legion: Mines and. Booby Traps

FRAGMENTATION MINEType: Electric antipersonnel mine. Remotely deto-nated by an operator.Appearance: Cast-iron cylinder with square crosssection. Two electric wires come out of the cap.To set: Delivered ready to operate. Connect the con_ductor wires to the wires of the mine.Functioning.. Connecting the conductor wires to theterminals of an electric battery greater than B.bvolts detonates the mine.Neutralizing: Cut the electric wires one by one.Camy it away, if necessary, and destroy.Caution: A strong pull on the electric wires cancause an accidental explosion.Souree: T.F.I.S., 1948.

set screws

Hold-down plateFragmentation Mine, SO mm Outer Diameter.


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10 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby TrapsShipping cap

Terminals

ParaffinCopper couplin

Wooden socketFlashlight bulb

DetonatorFilament

200-mm Bomb

French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps I1

VC ELECTRIC MINE I"UZ["Type: Improvised electric fuze.Emp loyment : F or antivehicular mine.Appearance: Mad,e of machined copper with twoscrew-type terminals on top.To set: Remove the shipping cap protecting the ter_

minals. Insert into the chambei of a 200-mm bomb.Attach the lead wires to the terminals.Funetioning: Connecting the conductor wires to theterminals of an electric battery greater than B.b vortscauses the fuze to ignite.Ne_utralizing: Cutthe wires one by one. Take out thefuze.Souree: T.F.I.S., September, 194g.C Electric Mine Fuze.


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Electric wire


Filament

French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 13

IMPROVISED BOTTLE-TYPE MINEType: Improvised electric fuze.Appearanee: Bottle or glass container.Funetioning.. Connecting the lead wires to the termi_nals of an electric battery causes the fuze to ignite.Neutralizing: Cut the wires one by one. Destroy themine on the spot, if possible. Otlerwise, ;;; ;il;entire mine away and destroy it. Do not pult on thewires.Souree:3rd Infantry Regiment, Tonkin. March, 1g4g.

.303 cartridge caseDetonatorPowder explosive

C)frBottle-Type Mine.*J


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Pull-out pin

14 tr'rench Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps Is

- PULL-TYPE FUZE IType: Trigger pin.Appearance: Made of machined copper. The triggerpin draws back a safety pin.To set: Insert into the chamber of an gg-mm shell.Attach the pull cord. Unfasten the safety part of thepin and twist it toward the ring.Funetioning: ln the armed position, the strikerspring_ is compressed. The trigger pin passingthrough the end of the striker hoids it down. A pul"l

on the wire releases the pin. The striker is freed andhits the primer.Neutralizing: Cut the pull cord. Untwist the safetypart of the pin and reset the fastener. Remove th!fuze.Caution: If the pjn does not pass entirely throughthe end of the striker, do not attempt to replace it.-Source : T.F.I.S., 1948.ull-Type Fuze For 88-mm Shells. Scale: l:1.


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Striker

Coupling

Fuze body

French Foreign Legion: Mines and. Booby Traps 17

PULL.TYPE FUZE IIType: Trigger pin.Appearanee: Made of machined copper. The pin isinserted through the visible end of fhl striker.---- -'To set: Place the fuze inside the chamber of a 240_mms-hell. Attach the pull cord to the ring on the .;J;fTne prn.Functioning: In the armed position, the striker

s,pring is compressed. The irigger pin insertJthro-ugh the end of the striker i;;fi, it i"*". e p"fjon the cord releases the pin. The striker is freed lrrlhits the primer.Neutralizing: Cut the pull cord. Bend back the end of[ne pln.

Caution: If the pin does not entirely pass throughthe end of the striker, there is danger o?igniting ii;fuze if you try to reinsert it.

Striker spring

Detonator

Pull-Type Fuze For 24o-mm Shells. Scale:


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Piston spring

PistonStriker spring

Striker

Igniter cap

French Foreign Legion: Mines and. Booby Traps lg

FAUCET-TYPE F'IIZ['Deseription.'Resembles a brass faucet. screw threadsenable it to be attached to the ogive of a shell.Funetioning: In the armed position, the striker ispulled back; the spring is heid.o-p""rr"d by a pis_ton perpendicular to its axis. The end of t#pir;;;fits into a notch in the striker. This pistonir rt-"r,ii"th.is position, with the spring-"o_p""r.ed, by thetrigger pil. A pull on ttl trfsu" pir, "ut".r", it "iston, which disengages itserf-irornthe "ot.rri" iii.striker. The striker is freed "rrJ ,t"ik", th; d;it";ap.Neutralizing: cutthe pull cord. Take out the fuze.

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Note:,If the trigger pin does not passtnrough. th_e body of the fuze, do notrernsert rt. Destroy the fuze in place.Soyregl Company of the Corps of Engineers 61,/8,Tonkin. 1948.

completelyattempt toFaucet-Type Fuze.


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VC Improvized lgniter. Scale: 1:1.


capFuze body

Strikerspring

Trigger pinPrimerRelay charge


VC IMPROVISED IGNITERType: Starter pin.Appearance: Theiron water-main body of the detonator is a piece ofpipe with a 30-mm outer diameter.Funetioning: In the armed position, the strikersnrin-s is compressed betwe"r, ih" head'oiitr.;;iil;;and the igniter cap, the end of the striker u"ti"gi-ir."a slide-rod. The striker is held in place uv irtr rt?il""pin' A pull on the pin frees the striker *rii"rr nil. tn.primer.To .set: -The explosive part of the fuze is slid into thechamber of the shell or bomb being used as u *irr".Neutralizing.. Not possibly safely. Slowly removeJhedetonator after cutting tire puli cord. SU;;;d#--tance and pull on the pull cord. Beware" "i fl"Gfragments.


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Boxed Mine.

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22 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 23

BOXED MINEAppearanee: Ametal mineis placed in a wooden box.with a slit dn one side to aliow fo" p..r.g;;f ;il"ull cord.{'pplieationr Used with a pull cord placed in a boobytrap or by remote controi with a fi-rinJ;;;r. il;;also be used under water. lDimensiozs.. Bg x Zb x 26 cm.fnseriptiozs.. On the box: THONG NHAT III (Trans-lation: "(Jnion of Workrt op ,l; nta f,OiZfneNflAM 3 ST (Translatiorr, ..Insi.lut*a *irr"t).----'^'Functioning: Aninsulated fuze is set off by a pull onthe safety pin.Neutralizing: Cut the booby_-trap wire. If necessary,carry the mine away inside its case ana destrov]Never.attempt to remove the wooden ".r" iol,trk;;eek." Some mines of this tvp" "r" t""tv t"lii,"iwith a grenade with its safety pin ,u-orr"i. -1""*Souree: Service desMarch, 1948. Munitions (Munition, Se"rri"j -

Pull-type fuze

ffi /rz>.ta/ t IY'A/,/ ,^s,L,/t I{>',/./ l\ \\t /r/ I \.9"/ / I.Y,t& I{*" I


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French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 25

PULL-RELEASE-TYPE FVZ["Type: Pull-type using a hold-down trigger. Release-type acting by sudden release of a hammer.Appearanee: Parallelepiped. Made of thin sheetmetal. Visible end of the hammer is hook shaped.Funetioning: G)Pull-type: In the armed position, thehammer is retained by the trigger, which is locked. inside the cateh of the weapon. A pull on the end ofthe trigger releases the hammer, which springs up,strikes the heel of the firing pin, and breaks its pro-tection spring. (2) Releas.-iyp"'' In the urr""a-f*i-tion, the mine is suspended from a wire attached tothe hook on the end of the hammer. The weight ofthe mine is generally sufficient to "o-p"ess thehammer spring. When a vehicle hits the mine, thesuspension wire breaks and the hammer strikes the

heel of the firing pin.Note: In the release-type, the trigger is not used.Neutralizing.. Immobilize the hammer. Remove thefiring pin. Remove the mine. It is prefelalle todestroy this very sensitive device bv pullin?lhc--__control wires from a distance.Souree: Cochin-China, 1948. Instruction Center of theCorps of Engineers.ull-Release-Type Fuze. Scale: 1:2.


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I

1

French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 2Z

PIVOT.PLATE FUZEType: Pull-type.Appearanee: Copper hood with a slit on its topperpendicular to the axis of the striker. Inside thisslit is an anchor plate. Thd visible end of the strikerpasses through the upper part of the hood.To set: Place the fuze inside a Zb-mm shell. Attach thepull cord. Remove the safety pin.Funetioning: In the armed position, the strikerspring is compressed. The striker is held back by theedges of the slot in the pivot plate which are insidethe retainer groove. A pult on the lever of the pivotplate causes it to rotate around the pivot sc""*. Thestriker is released and hits the primer.Neutralizing: C2xt thepull cord. Insert a safety pin,holding the p[ate firrnly inside the slit at the top ofthe hood. Remove the fuze. Be careful, as this is avery sensitive deviee-(Jse : Antivehicular or antipersonnel.Pivot-Plate Fuze. Source: T.F.I.S., 1948.


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Safety-pin housing

StrikerPivot Screw

Armed position Firing position


Pivot plate

StrikerCap chamber

Primer75-mm shell

Detonator

Copper

Pivot-Plate Fuze.


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STIRRUP.TYPE FUZEDescription.'The body of the fuze is cylindrical with

a rectangular plate welded perpendicular to its axisat half its length. This plate has two holes for thestraps of the stirrup. A trigger spring is compressedbetween the rectangular plate and the upper flatpart of the stirrup.Functioning: ln the armed position, the striker isheld back. The spring is compressed by a U-shapedtrigger pin, one side of which is slightly longer thanthe other. The base of the stirrup is in the curvedpart of the U.

In the firing position: (a) Normal functioning: Pres-sure on the plate on the stirrup compresses thetrigger spring. This pressure is transmitted to thetrigger pin which then comes out. The striker isfreed and hits the primer. (b) Antidemolition: TheU-shaped pin contains a ring to which a pull cordcan be attached. Picking up the mine-fuze causesthe pin to come loose and the device to explode.Neutralizing: No safe way y>6sts. It is preferable todestroy thedeviee- Ia {se of absolute necessity,immobilize the pin antl- s.-tirlup and remove thedetonator.

Souree: Tonkin, 1947.


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32 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps SJ

PRESSURE.PLATE FUZEDeseription: The fuze body is cylindrical in shape(4.5 cm long, 3 cm outer diameter) and made ofaluminum alloy. Threading makes it adaptable foruse on a Japanese antitank mine.Funetioning: In the armed position, the striker isretained. The spring is compressed by a triggerplate which engages a notch-hole in the striker.

Pressure on the outside plate acts as a lever andcauses the trigger plate to move and free the striker,which hits the primer.Neutralizing: Reinsert the safety pin.

Note: If the trigger plate dogs4ot appear to beclearly locked inside the notch-hole of the weapon,destroy on the spoLSouree: City of Hanoi, July, 1948. "' -':\:\

q)+)Aotr=oq)tr

qiNkodAIot{aU)otriltra

o)'.1-)cd9.lr)b!boIFr

coh*)-a)a


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To arm

Mine with Pull-Releaqe-TypC Fuze. ScaIe::Fa.


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Pressure plateCarrying lugs


ANTMHTCULAR MrNE C.B.X.Q.H.Appearanee: Cast-iron cylinder with carrying lugson top.Total weight:15.55 kg.Explosiue'eharge:2.5kg of mixture of black powderand redphosphorus.To set: Holding the striker, remove the safity pin.Lower the striker slowly into the body of the fuze.Bury the mine in a vertical position with the fuze ontop.

Caution: Do not push down on the striker acci-dentally.Funetioning: In the armed position with the safetypin removed, the striker is held in equilibriumbetween the two opposing protection springs. Pres-sure exerted on the small plate covering the end ofthe striker compresses the lower protection spring,causing the tip of the striker to strike the primer.Neutralizing: If necessary, keep the mine in the holeand slowly pull on the end of the striker until theopening in the safety pin is visible. Reinsert thesafety pin. Pull the mine out, bu! -from -a- distanceand under shelter.

/

Strikersupport spring

Charge(black powder)

Mine body StrikerPrimercupchamberObturator

Relay chargegr. of compressed tolite)

Antivehicular Mine, C.B.X.Q.H. Scale: 1:2. ---'


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Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 39

..MOKA'' MINEType: Fragmentation; antivehicular and antiper-sonnel.Application.'Antivehicular: Bury at a shallow depthin the probable path of the vehicles to be destroyed.Antipersonnel: Bury at a shallow depth in the edgeof a slope.Appearanee: Circular in shape, similar to Germanantitank mine. Thick cast-iron body with serra-tions. Gray-green color. Rudimentary firing deviceis of brass, inserted into the mine's central chamber.Funetioning; The fuze operates by a pull on a cordwrapped around the retainer pin of the striker. Thiscord is placed along a small groove in the ground.Neutralizing: Cut the pull cord. Pull on it from a dis-tance (beware of a possible grenade buried as abooby trap underneath the mine). If the pull pindoes not clearly pass through the end of the striker,destroy the mine in place. If the mine explodesabove ground level, the fragments can be dangerouswithin a radius of 200 meters.Souree: Annam, 1948. Instruction Center of theCorps of Engineers.

Nq)dC)aq)

Ed,!oE


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\lt- un'. \). H \'" r\r E. -\.\5- \--\ 5- \a g **\ \. :-,,* E | -:'.'z-Ci- \-1..- 3 -'-\- /'t.E '.1-{ *1'I H-- / \- >\ Y/iilYrtt -\,_. ,^ _tl.r:\\.\ - l-l^.\ - \l /Jt , -;1";--'1;il,':i'.$:it:'.if-', f','"1.' I I e lt -\' \:l{ \\. t ' i'. \l ! I t\\-\'


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.303 Caliber casing

Retainer plate

Square Fuze("Armed Position")

Retainer plateipindle

Fulminating primer


SQUARE FUZEType:Small plate acting as a retainer trigger.Appearar?ce.'Square box with a safety pin passingthrough it. The box is welded onto a tube that makesup the body of the fuze.To set: Place the fuze into the chamber of the shell orbomb used as the mine. Attach the pull cord to thesafety pin.Funetioning: ln the armed position, the safety pinimmobilizes the retainer plate. The tip of the strikerhas a notch hole which the retainer plate engages.The striker spring is compressed. A tug on the cordpulls out the safety pin. The plate pivots on itsspindle and releases the striker, which hits theprimer.Neutralizing: Cut the pull cord. If the safety pinclearly passes through the box, lift out the fuze.Otherwise, destroy the device on the spot.Souree: VC document, 1948.


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Retaining (safetY) clamP

VC Flat Mine With Two Pull-Type Fuzes' Scale: 1:2'


FLAT MINE WITH TWO FUZESType: Antivehicular.Curr ent enplo y tnent : Ro ad holes.Appearance: Circrl.lar in shape. Made of 4-mm thickwelded and'stamped iron. Two threaded roundorifices on the top are used for fiUing. The fuzes areplaced into these orifices.Explosiu,e eharge: Approximately 2.5 ke of blackpowder.Firing deuice: Two identical fuzes with a commoritrigger-pin pull system.To set: Place the mine in the hole. Attach the pull wireto the pull ring. Remove the safety pin. Camouflage.Funetioning: A tug on the wire simultaneously pullsout the two trigger pins. The strikers are releasedand detonate the primers.Temporary neutralizing: Cut the pull cord. If the

safety clamp is still on, insert the safety pin. If not,bind with a thin piece of metal wire so as to immo-bilize the two trigger pins.Perrnanent neutralizing: Gently clip in two the partconnecting the two trigger pins. Remove the fuzes.Souree: Corps of Engineers T.F.I.N. A dispatch boatcalled "La Gazelle" (tied to a junk in the vicinity ofTonkin).

Striker spring


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Bamboo Mine. Scale: 1:2.

46 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 4Z

BAMBOO MINEType: This mine contains a stick that is ejected andpierces an object.Appeara,nee:The body of the mine is round and flat.The stick is made of a wooden stem 2 cm in diameterand 50 cm long. It does not appear that the small

diameter of the mine (17 cm) and its light weightwould give sufficient stability. Some sort of weightmust be used to steady the base.To set: Camouflage the stick in underbrush. Steadythe base. Remove the safety pin.Funetioning: In the armed position, the strikerspring is compressed by the striker. The end of thestriker is placed inside the base of the stick. Theshoulder of the hollow groove sticks into the upperpart ofthe fuze body and opposes the action ofthestriker spring. Movement that tends to bend thestick in any direction causes it to break at the levelof the hollow groove. The striker is freed and hitsthe primer.Neutralizing: Reinsert the safety pin. Remove the

fuze.Caution: The stick may have deteriorated as aresult of termites or atmospheric conditions. It isalways uery fragile.Current usage: The mine is placed in underbrush ora bamboo grove. The stick is often covered with apiece of bamboo.Souree: T.F.I.S., 1948.

Hollow groove

The body of the mine is round.


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Keybolt for the striker

VC Pull-Type Fuze-Scale: 1:1.

$1\)tt,,

StrikerBronze plate


VC PULL.TYPE FUZEType: With keyboltFunctioning: In the armed position, the strikerspring is compressed and is held by the keybolt, thenotched part of which fits into the narrow end of thekeyhole. This is held in position by a retainer spring.A pull on the bow of the key compresses the retainerspring. The key moves and the circular part of thekeyhole reaches and releases the striker, which

strikes the primer.To set: Insert the cap chamber. Insert the fuze intothe mine. Attach the pull cord (unwound) to the pullring. Remove the safety pin from a distance.Neutralizing: Reinsert the safety pin. Cut the pullcord. Take out the fuze.Source: Instruction Center of the Corps of Engineersof the Far East, Cochin-China, August, 1948.

Retainer spring

PrimerCap chamber

Detonator


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MINE.BOMB WITH TWO PULL-TYPE FUZESType: Smooth-bore bomb.Appearance: Cast iron. Cylinder shaped with twofrustums of cone on each side, the small base partsof which each have a hole in which to insert afuze.Dimensions.' Outer diameter = 130 mm.Length = 372 mm.E xplo siu e eha,r g e.' Approximately 2 kg of explosivesimilar to black powder.Firing deuiee: Pull-type fuzes described on the fol-lowing pages.Neutralizing: Remove the fuzes after disassembly.

Note: Some of these mines have been used withonly one fuze or with an electric igniter.Souree: Instruction Center of the Corps of Engineersof the Far East, August, 1948.Underwater Mine with Two Pull-Type Fuzes'


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Waterproof paint Pull pin

Fuze body

Mine body

Cap chamber

Japanese detonator

Insulated Fuze for Underwater Mine withDouble Igniter. Scale: 1:1.

French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps SS

CAUTIONDo not play with fire.A mine knows neither friend nor foe.It waits for the first mistake; each move is final.You can never be careful enough.Remember, you can make a mistake only once, andfrom this mistake you probably won't recover.


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54 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and. Booby Traps Ss

CAUTIONActfast, but:- Do not confuse speed with overhastiness.- Remember that most mines contain enough explo-sive to blow off your hand and possibly even killyou.rifting Mine with Four 28o-mm Shells.


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Contact studs

Conductors

Rubber-insulateddisk \Leather washer\Electric bulb

Detonator casingIInsulated Electric Fuze forAnchored Underwater Mine.

Rubber sheaths

\\'t t- r,:1,r1\",

ao o

Anchored Ljnderwater Mine.


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French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps SgBronze ring

Leather *asher Wooden disk

Obturator disk(leather)Lute (tar resin)

ConductorsSoldered points

Steel percussioncap bodyTissue paper disk

Melinite DMelinite D

Bronze relay cap

Insulated Electric Fuze for Underwater Mine.


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MINE WITH HOLLOW CHARGE IType: Hollow charge with a conical recess.Appearanee: Sheet metal, black tar colored.Total weight: 2.8 kS.Antiuehicular model: Weight of explosive: 1.2 kg.Total weight: 4.5 kg.Antitanhmodel No. .I: Weight of explosive: 2.0 kg.Total weight: 14.0 kg.Antitanh model No. II: Weight of explosive:7.0 ks.Funetionizg.'When a vehicle passes over it, the mine,which is electrically ignited, explodes. The mine isremotely controlled by an operator using an ex-ploder or a battery.

Note: Antitank model No. II should bring any typeof armored vehicle to a stop.Neutralizing: Cut the pull cords one at a time. Re-move the mine from the ground. It can be canied asis with caution. Disassembly operations must becarried out by a specialist.Source: Cochin-China, 1948. Instruction Center of theCorps of Engineers.

tllll!t'i I

Mine with Hollow Charge (Electric Fuze). Scale: 1:2.


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Beehive Mine. Scale: 1:3.

French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 6J

BEEHIVE TYPE HOLLOW CHARGE MINEType: Hollow charge with a conical recess.Appearanee:Made of sheet metal with a wooden cap.Total weight: 11.b kg. Explosive: 6 kg of meltedmelinite.Functioning : Electrically ignited by an operator.To set: As a mine: Bury with base part level withthe ground and igniter below. As a aemoriiionexplosive: Place base of the mine against tn" olj"cito be destroyed.Neutralizing: Cut the lead wires one at a time.Remove the wooden cap.Note: Although no firing stand that would deter-mine the optimum operating distance has beenfgund, it appears that maxi*rr- efficiency "u" U"obtained by placing the mine about B0 cm from thesurface of the object to be destroyed.Source: Cochin-China, 1948. Instruction Center of theCorps of Engineers.


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Mine with Hollow Charge (Half-Section). Scale: 1:2.


MINE WITH HOLLOW CHARGE IIType: Hollow charge with conical recess.Appearance: Made of sheet metal. Black-tar color.Total weight is 1.4 kg, including about 400 gr ofmelted melinite.Funetioning.'Upon passage of a vehicle, the mine iselectrically ignited by an operator using an exploderor a battery. This mine can immobilize a vehicle if itexplodes beneath a wheel. If it explodes beneath thechassis, the vehicle can be slightly damaged.Neutralizing: Cut at least one electric conductorwire. Remove the mine from the ground. Take offthe cone head, take out the lining, and remove theelectric firing system. It is preferable to have a spe-cialist do this job.Note: Some mines of this type have a metal bracketor handle attached to the cone. This allows it to becarried and makes it easier to attach the mine to theobject to be destroyed.

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66 French Foreign Legion: Mines and, Booby Traps

Hollow Charge with Electric lgniter. Scale: 1:2.

French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 6Z

HOLLOW CHARGE MINE WITH BASE STANDType: Hollow charge with conical recess.Appearance: Mad,e of sheet metal. Black-tar color.Total weight: 5.2ke. Weight of explosive: 2.5 kg.Fu.netioning.. When an armored vehicle passes over

it, the mine is exploded electrically by an operator.Thi," sxtl.sion can shear the caterpillar track on atank or perforate the interior armor.Neutralizing: Cut the conductor wires one at a time.Remove the mine from the ground. It can be carriedas is with caution. Disassembly should be carriedout by a specialist.Souree: Cochin-China, 1g48. Instruction Center of theCorps of Engfneers.

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Hollow Charge. Scale: 1:2.Total Weight: 2.5kg VC HOLLOW CHARGE WITHSLOW-BURNING FUZEDimensions: This type of mine reportedly exists inseveral sizes, similar in appearance, varying inexplosive charge between 2 and T kg.Funetioning: The mine is detonated by a slow-burning fuze of variable length. Models with electricfuzes also reportedly exist. The explosive actionoccurs inside a hollow charge, and proceeds along

the axis of the inner recess.Neutralizing: If a saboteur has been seen in thevicinity and there is doubt whether the slow-burningfuze has been ignited, stay out of the dange, ,r"iand wait one hour, if possible, before approachingthe mine. If a misfire of the fuze is detected, destro!the mine on the spot. If there has been no ignition,remove the fuze.Source: 1948 information.

Weight of Explosive: O.b kg.

*


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70 French Foreign Legion: Mines and, Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 7l

TRIPOD HOLLOW CHARGEAppearance.' Resembles the

three legs which regulate thetance. There is no feed line.Dimensionsl Outer diameter:Weight of explosiue: 2.L ks.

beehive mine. It hasoptimum effective dis-

18 mm. Height: 25 mm.Fuze: Pull-type (see following page).Neutralizimg: Remove the fuze gently.Souree: Munitions Service T.F.S.A.P., April, 1948.Tripod Hollow Charge. Half-Section. Scale: 1:4.


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72 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby TrapsSpring

Hammer

Pull-out

Protection spring

Fulminating ca


FUZE FOR TRIPOD HOLLOW CHARGEAppearanee:T\be with a pull pin passing through it.Dimensior?s.'Outer diameter = 20 mm.Length = 180 mm.To set: Place the fuze in the upper part of the tripodmine. Attach a pull cord to the safety pin.Funetioning: In the armed position, the trigger

spring is compressed by the hammer, which isblocked by the safety pin. The striker is held awayfrom the primer by the protection spring. A pull onthe cord releases the safety pin. The hammer isfreed and is driven by the operating spring to hit thestriker. The striker crushes the protection springand fires the primer.Neutralizing: Cut the pull cord and remove the fuze.Souree: Munitions Service T.F.S.A.P., April, 1948.uze for Tripod Hollow Charge.


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74 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps Ts

ELONGATED HOLLOW CHARGEType: Hollow charge with prismatic recess.Appearance.. Sheet metal, red-brick color. Totalweight: 3 kg. Weight of explosive: 600 gr (melinite).Functioning: Electrically detonated by an operator.To set: As a mine: Mine is buried with the rectan-gular plate even with the surface of the ground. As ademolition explosive: The rectangular plate isplaced against the object to be destroyed.Neutralizing: Cut the conductor wires one by one.The mine can then be removed with caution.Source: Cochin-China, 1948. Instruction Center of theCorps of Engineers.

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76 French Foreign Legion: Mines and, Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 77

ANTI.MINE.DEMOLITION BOOBY TRAPType: Operates by pressure or by lifting.Description: A cylindrical pull-type fuze is placedinside a mine or shell. A pressure plate is placed onthe ground, and a small hook is attached to itsunderside (see sketch).Functioning:The striker is released by a pull on thesafety pin, either by pressure exerted upon the plate(the hook pulls out the safety pin), or, when used asan anti-mine-demolition booby trap: (a) If the plateis lifted, the hook releases the safety pin, but the pullcord moves and pulls the pin downward. The trapexplodes. (b) In case the first trap has been discov-

ered, and the plate and the hook have been removed,lifting the shell still causes the trap to explode by apull on the pin by the second cord, which is attacheddirectly to the loop in the pin.Note: This mine may also be booby-trapped with agrenade placed underneath the base of the shell.

Neutralizing: Destroy in place.Souree: Nam-Dinh, Tonkin, L947.nti-Mine-Demolition Booby Trap.


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78 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Trups 79

BOOBY TRAP FOR SABOTAGING A TRAINCharge: 155-mm Japanese shell.To set: A detonator cap is placed inside the shellchamber and connected to a striker by means of a

slow-burning.fuze. The length of this fuze is calcu-lated so that the charge explodes underneath thelocomotive after passage of the lead cars.The pull cord of the fuze is attached to a piece ofbamboo which acts as a spring. This bamboo piece,in the shape of a semi-crossbow, is tied with a chordwhich passes underneath a stirrup and is attachedto a stick of wood which acts as a trigger. Thistrigger is blocked by a peg sunk into the ground.The passage of the first lead car of a convoypresses down on the peg supporting the trigger. Thepull cord is freed and slips underneath the stirrup.The bamboo piece is released, causing a quick jerkon the cord of the percussion pin. Ignition takesplace. The fire is transmitted by the slow-burning

detonatingfuze and the shell explodes.Neutralizing: Cut the pull cord on the percussion pin.Remove the detonator cap from the shell. Loosen thebow and dismantle the system.Caution: Watch out that your shins don't touch thedevice.

Source: Corps of Engineers T.F.I.N. Hanoi-Haiphongrailroad, April, 1948.

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B0 French Foreign Legion: Mines and. Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 81

CLEPSYDRA (WATER CLOCK) CONTACTORAppearance: Any type of metal box filled with waterwith a float visible on the inside. An inside portallows the water to empty out.Funetioning:In the armed position, the metal vesselis filled with water. The ballasted float keeps theupper contact away from the fixed contact at thebottom of the vessel. The water empties out throughthe inside port.

Once the water level is lowered, the upper contactof the float touches the vessel body and the electriccircuit for igniting is closed.Note: The delay time depends on the volume ofwater in the vessel and the rate at which it empties.

Neutralizing: Cut the wire leading to the vessel.Caution: Any movement of the cord on the floatcan cause the float to vibrate and accidentally closethe electric circuit.

Souree: Tan An Artillery Sector, Cochin-China, 1948.Delayed-Action Clepsydra (Water Clock) Contactor.


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82 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 83WORDS OF ADVICE

Do not neglect any opportunity to know the enemy'sweapons and, when possible, try to understand howthey work.When you discover a mine, don't call for your co-team workers to "come and see what this is." Tellthem to go away and, if you can, disassemble ordestroy the mine on the spot.If you find something new, beware. If you are sure

that you can disassemble it without any risk, do so.Afterwards, forward the device or a good sketch of it tothe closest engineering unit so that everyone canprofit from your discovery.If you encounter a type of mine that you're notfamiliar with and that does not appear to be simplyconstructed, call the engineers.Remember that the enemy generally prefers to de-stroy a road rather than repair it. Therefore, if you seesome repair work or a newly filled hole where theengineers have not been working, beware.Always avoid stopping your vehicle directly over apatch in the road. You may not always see that one ofyour wheels has stopped directly on a trip wire.Beware of a pile of stones, as these greatly increasethe effectiveness of a mine. The enemy knows this andvery frequently uses this type of arrangement.If you intend to destroy disarmed, but unprimed,weapons, always destroy them one at a time and notby the dozen. The best thing to do is drown theweapons in very deep water.Remember that a mine can be caused to misfire byaccidental blocking of the firing pin (e.g., by dust orit

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84 French Foreign Legion: Mines and, Booby Trapsrust, by an incorrectly pulled safety pin causing it tolock, etc.).*-The slightest movement can cause a catastrophe.There is less danger in fooling around with a snakethan there is in pulling out a safety pin any old way.Therefore, it is best to destroy a mine on the spot *ilir-out touching it.

A mine that is accidentally moved (by a vehicle, agust of wind, etc.) must be thought of as about toexplode and treated as such.Don't be tempted to start a collection of your finds.Remember that explosives that are used as ,,littlepranks" generally end tragically.

. To av-oid being sorry later, get rid of everylhing thatis not absolutely inert


Pit with booby trap


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APPENDIXRECENTTYPES OFMINESANDWEAPONSUSED BY THE V. C.TROOPS


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GRENADE.TYPE MINETyp e : Antipersonnel mine.Deseription:Body:(1) cast iron with serrations for fragmentationeffect (shaped like a defensive hand $enade).Charge: Either black powder or an explosive.

instantaneous, mechanical pressure-type, con-sists of:steel body;striker;safety spring;safety pin;primer;detonator.

Totalweight:0.8 kgWeight of explosiue: 0.L kgDiameter.'6 cmHeight:13 cmFunetioning: Once the safety pin is removed, pres-sure on the striker ignites the primer.

Fuze:(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)


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BAMBOO MINEType: Antipersonnel mine.Deseription:Body:(1) consists of a piece of bamboo stick with(2) wooden obturators.Charge:(3) small roll of compressed black powder.Projectiles:(4) makeshift projectiles consisting of stones andpieces of glass or porcelain.Instantaneous pressure-type fuze consisting

wooden striker with metal tip;guide tube for wooden striker;separator section made of wood, consisting of:primer;hole for trip wire.Total weight:0.5 kg (approx.)Weight of explo siu e: 0.1 kg (approx.)Diameter.'5 to 6 cm (approx.)Height:22 cm (approx.)Funetioning: The mine is buried in a vertical posi-tion with the striker in position. Pressure on thestriker causes the primer to break and the mine toexplode. If a pile of material is placed around themine, the projectiles will shoot upwards.

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WIDE.MOUTHED BOTTLE MINEType: Antipersonnel and antivehicular mine.Description:Body:(1) cast iron with serrations for fragmentationeffect. Shaped like a wide-mouthed bottle.Charge:(2) ammonium nitrate explosive.

instantaneous mechanical fuze with pull-typesafety pin. The fuze is made uP of:light-alloy body;striker;striker spring;striker lever;starter pin;primer;detonator.Totalweight:3.8 kgWeight of explosiue:0.85 kgDiameter:11 cmHeight:17 cmFunctioning: A pull on the trip wire causes thesafety pin to come out. The lever releases the strikerwhich fires the primer.Obseruations: The explosive used in this mine is avery shattering type that is little known and littleused. It has some similarities to the ammonals.

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Fuze:(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(e)(10)


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94 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps PINEAPPLE MINEType: Antipersonnel rnine.Deseription:Body:(1) cast iron with serrations for fragmentationeffect. Shaped like a PineaPPle.Charge:(2) ammonium nitrate explosive;(3) powdered melinite relaY.Fuze: instantaneous mechanical pull-release fuze,consisting ofi(4) sheet-metal frame;(5) plug for the cap and striker chambers;(6) striker;(?) T-shaped hammer with notch in the handlefor a bolt;

Total weight:2kgWeight of explnsiue:0.27 kgDiameter.'9 cmHeight: without fize: L2 cmwith fuze: 2L cmFunetioning:Pull-type.' In the armed position, the hammer

spring is compressed and the bolt is fitted into thenotch on the handle. A pull on the pull cord, whichis tied to one of the arms of the hammer, causes thehammer to pivot. The bolt is released and the primeris ignited.Release-type: In the armed position, the hammerspring is held tieht by a pull cord without using thebolt. Breaking this cord causes the mine to function.

Obseruations: The striker, which is removable, isplaced in position only when the fuze is armed.

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96 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps BOUNDING MINEType: Bounding antipersonnel mine.Deseription:Projectile, consisting of:(1) 81-mm explosive mortar projectile withoutfins;(2) explosive charge;(3) detonator;(4) black powder delay.Cannon tube, consisting of:(5) metal launch tube;(6) metal cover;(7) metal base;(8) cap chamber tube.Spill charge:(9) smokeless powder.Pull-type instantaneous mechanical igniter consist-ing of:"(10) body;(11) striker;(12) striker spring;(13) release;(14) safety bolt;(15) safety grip;(16) safety pin;(17) primer cartridge.Total weight:7.35 kgWeight of projectile: 3.1 kgWeight of eannon tube:5.l kgWeight of fuze:0.15 kgWeight of spill eharge:0.009 kgHeight:22 cmDiameter.'14 cmFunetioning: Once the safety pin and safety grip areremoved, a pull on the pull cord causes the release topivot and the bolt to come out. The striker is freedand strikes the primer cartridge. The spill powderdrives the projectile and ignites the delayed-actionfuze. The projectile explodes above ground.

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98 French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps BOUNDING BAZOO MINEType: Bounding antivehicular mine with hollowcharge.Deseription:Bazoo mine consisting of:(1) steel cylinder body;(2) melted melinite explosive charge;(3) cone-shaped bronze casing for hollow charge;(4) sheet-metal cover;(5) striker;(6) safety pin;(7) safety spring;(8) primer:(9) detonator;(10) powdered melinite primer relay.Cannon tube (11), containing:(12) electric fuze;(13) igniter powder;(14) black powder spill explosive;(15) cardboard partition;(16) separator;(17) metal lid.Total weight: - -Weight of explosiue: LkgWeight of spill charge: - -Diameter of mine.' 15 cmHeight of mine:25 cmDianneter of cannon tube:17 cmHeight of cannon tube:38 cmFunctioning: The bazoo mine is placed in the cannontube without the safety pin. Setting off the electricfuze causes the spill charge to ignite, which thruststhe bazoo mine out of the cannon tube. As soon asthe bazoo mine hits an object, the striker functionsby inertia.Obseruations: There is also a nonleaping bazoomine in which the mechanical striker-type fuze isreplaced by an electric fuze.

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8


MINE WITH HOLLOW CHARGEType: Antivehicular and antipersonnel mine'Description:Mine:(1) cylindrical sheet-metal bodY;iZi metal lining of cone-shaped hollow charge'Charge:(3) nitrate exPlosive.Fuze:(4) steel bodY;(5) striker;(6) striker sPring;(7) starter Pin;(8) Primer;(9) detonator.Total weight:5 kg (aPProx')Weight of explosiu e: 3.5 kg (approx')Diameter: L2 cmHeight:2\ cmFunetioning: A pull on the pull,-cord pulls 9u! tfe- .iurt", piri The'striker is re.kased and striked ttre -primer.obseruations:Thereis/nidenticaldemolitionmine- "q"fpp"J *ittt foldi/g legs,that enable it to bepfu""d at the optim;im vield distance from a wall tobe destroYed.

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UNDERWATER MINE IType: Mine for use against river boatsDeseriPtion:Mine bodY:-- iil-"nfterical bodv made of 4-mm sheet metal;(2) carriage ring;(3) attachment ring;(4) sealer Plug;iS) .topp"r plft for inserting conductor wires'Explosive charge:(6) melted melinite'Detonator:-

izi two electric primers with differentresistances;

i8i ittitiut priming relav (powdered melinite)'Totalweight:43 kgWeight etnPtY:19 kgW ei-Sht of e xPlo siv e 124 kgDiameter.'0.52 mFunctioning: Re/notely detonated' The electric cur-- ;;;;-;;;sl"s tr'/ primlrs b ignite and the mine toexplode. I

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French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 105

UNDERWATER MINE IIType: Mine for use against river boatsDeseription:Mine body:- iil tp[erical bodv made of 2-mm-thick sheetmetal;(2) attachment rings;(3) sealer Plug;i+) .topp"r plug for inserting conductor wires'Charge:(5) ammonium Perchlorate'Detonator:(6) electric Primer;

iZi powdered melinite primerrelav'Total weight: 42kSWeight emPtY: 20 kg ,"W eight of exPlo siu q: 22 kgDiameter:0.63 mHeight:0.58 m /Fuictioning: Re/totely detonated' The- *"ttt ".rr."-t thq nrimer to ignite andexplode. I

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TIME-FUZE HAND GRENADE IIType: Antipersonnel defensive hand grenade'Description:Grenade body:

(1) cast iron with serrations for fragmentationeffect.Explosive charge:Detonation: black powder.(2) time-fuze'tyPe fuze(3) light alloy bodY;(4) release lever;(5) safety pin;(6) striker;(7) striker pin;(8) primer;(9) slow-burning fuze;(10) detonator.

plug, consisting of:

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Total weight:0.65 ke (approx.)Weight of bodY:0.49 kg (aPProx.)wii1nt of f"zi ptug: o1kg (gPProx)-Weight of explosiu e: 60 gI {'6pprox.)Diarneter.'55 mmHeight:100 mmTime d.elaY: about 5 secondsFunetioning; Thel'safety pin is removed, the relee-selever is frJed, .n/d thu striker fires the primer' Thedelayed action filze burns for about 5 seconds'Obseruations:Ttrre fuze plugis a copy of an Americanfuze. \


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114 French Foreign Legion: Mines and, Booby Traps French Foreign Legion: Mines and Booby Traps 115

INCENDIARY HAND GRENADEIncendiary grenade.

Deseription:Grenade body:(1) cylindrical sheet-metal body;(2) relay casing filled with black powder.Charge:(3) incendiary composition (solution of latexbenzine);(4) igniter charge (black powder).Detonation (time-fu ze-type fuze plug) :(5) fuze body;(6) movable striker;(7) safety pin;(8) safety spring;(9) vent;(10) fulminating cap;(11) slow-burning fuze.

Total weight:0.8 kS (approx.)Weight of igniter eharge:20 grWeight of incendiary cornposition: - -Time delay:4 secondsDiameter.'53 mm /Ileight:170 mmFunetioning.'Remove the safety piry Hit the strikeragainst a hard object. Toss the grybnade. The slow-burning fuze burns for about 4 seconds and detonatesthe black-powder igniter chargs. The incendiarycomposition is lit and scattered. 1Obseruation: Can also be consid[red an explosive-type grenade.

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french foreign legion mines booby traps

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