Land Mines and Booby Traps Field Manual: FM 5-31

Land Mines and Booby Traps Field Manual: FM 5-31
Author: War Department
Publisher: Periscope Film LLC
Total Pages: 366
Release: 2013-11
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9781940453170

Both anti-tank and anti-personnel land mines were used by the Axis and Allied powers during WWII. Designed to immobilize track or wheeled vehicles, anti-tank mines are normally employed in clusters known as mine fields. The typical charge of an anti-tank mine is six to twelve pounds. Usually they are not dangerous to personnel, since the heavy pressure or magnetic action produced by a vehicle is necessary to detonate them. Antipersonnel mines are used primarily to produce casualties to foot soldiers. They may be placed for specific tactical purposes, such as the protection of mine fields or other obstacles, on strategic ground, or in such a way as to provide local security; or they may be placed as nuisances that harass and delay the enemy's advance. With an explosive charge of a quarter pound to four pounds, this type of mine is not effective against armored vehicles. Created in 1943, this field manual covers the employment, types, and characteristics of land mines and booby traps of various nations. It includes methods to locate, disarm, defuse, and remove these obstacles. Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

Field Manual

Field Manual
Author: United States. Department of the Army
Publisher:
Total Pages: 112
Release: 1944
Genre:
ISBN:

U.S. Army Guide to Boobytraps

U.S. Army Guide to Boobytraps
Author: Department of the Army
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 171
Release: 2010-02-04
Genre: History
ISBN: 1510720553

Little is more dangerous to U.S. forces fighting insurgents in hot spots around the world than improvised explosive devices. It’s the weapon of choice for under-funded forces aimed to attack American soldiers with low risk to themselves. This official U.S. manual is the complete guide to using and dismantling boobytraps. Here you can learn how to assemble, use, detect, and remove boobytraps and demolition items in almost any situation. With intricate and detailed diagrams, you’ll discover how army troops can disguise boobytraps in household items such as irons, teapots, and televisions; in structures such as window frames, stairways, and wooden beams; and in outdoor areas, in bushes and underground. Find out how boobytraps work, why they are used in the army, and the tactics behind their set-up. Learn the mechanics of the various types of firing devices, detonators, fuses, cords, adapters, blasting caps, and lighters. Also included are detailed instructions for detecting and removing boobytraps. The U.S. Army Guide to Boobytraps explains the responsibilities and safety issues that should be thoroughly understood by anyone using any weapon. Any military enthusiast will appreciate the level of detail this field manual offers.

World War II Allied Sabotage Devices and Booby Traps

World War II Allied Sabotage Devices and Booby Traps
Author: Gordon L. Rottman
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 66
Release: 2013-02-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 184908176X

Following Churchill's directive to 'set occupied Europe ablaze,' the SOE and later its American sister organization, the OSS, were deployed across the continent. Outnumbered, surrounded and in great peril, these brave agents were armed with a wide variety of devices to help them achieve their objectives, including numerous pieces of sabotage equipment and cunning booby traps. This book examines these different pieces of equipment and the technicalities involved in deploying them effectively, as well as discussing the specialist equipment developed by Special Forces units, including the SAS Lewes Bomb. Touching on some of the stranger developments, such as explosives disguised as lumps of coal, the author goes on to describe the German clearance techniques that were developed to avoid these dangers. Complete with specially commissioned artwork and period diagrams together with detailed descriptions of the dangerous missions of Allied agents, this book is a fascinating insight into the secret war behind enemy lines.

Gunners̕ Mate 2

Gunners̕ Mate 2
Author: United States. Bureau of Naval Personnel
Publisher:
Total Pages: 792
Release: 1957
Genre: Naval gunnery
ISBN:

U.S. Army Explosives and Demolitions Handbook

U.S. Army Explosives and Demolitions Handbook
Author: U.S. Department of the Army
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 267
Release: 2010-08-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 1628730412

Military demolitions are the destruction by fire, water, explosive, and mechanical means of areas, structures, facilities, or materials to accomplish a military objective. The U.S. Army Explosives and Demolitions Handbook is a guide to the use of explosives in the destruction of military obstacles from the Department of the U.S. Army. This guide includes information on types, characteristics, and uses of explosives and auxiliary equipment; preparation, placement, and firing of charges; safety precautions; handling, transportation, and storage of explosives; deliberate and hasty demolition methods; and much more. Applicable to nuclear and nonnuclear warfare, and having offensive and defensive uses, the knowledge one will come away with from reading this handbook is invaluable.