1966 US Army Vietnam War ARMOR ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COM372roundings. Mines may also be buried (3) Antipersonnel mines. The methodsand camouflaged. If they are placedfor laying, fuzing, and arming of anundersod, the turf should be careful-tipersonnel mines vary considerably,ly cut, rolled back, then replaced overdepending upon the type of mine (TMthe mine after it is positioned in the9-1345-200). In general, antipersonground.In soft snow up to fournel mines are buried with the fuze exinchesin depth, mines may be placedtending above the ground becausein the snow resting upon the ground.they are set off by stepping on theOn ice or hard-packed snow, minesfuze or by pulling or cutting a tripmaybe painted white and placed onwire attached to the fuze. When tripthesurface. Pull-type firing deviceswires are used, the far end of theonly should be used to boobytrapwire must be anchored firmly. Care inmines when employed in snow; othercamouflage is essential; this includestypes will collect moisture, freeze, andthe removal of excess soil from thebecome inoperative, or melting snowmined area.or ice may cause the device to set offthe mine. Tripwires should be 45 cene.Battle Drill. The following battle drill isdesigned for tank crews and infantry firetimeters above snow because a taut teams in the rapid laying of protectivetripwire or one close to the surface of minefields.snow is easily seen. Regardless of the (1) Tank crew. The tank commander andseason, camouflage is important inthe loader dismount, each carryingthe laying of mines. All spoil, minetwo antitank mines. The gunner ascontainers,tape, and other workingsumes the position of the tank commaterialsmust be removed from themander, mans the tank weapons prominedarea. Deceptive measures, suchviding covering fire and directs theas making tracks in grassed areasdriver to maneuver the tank when reandsnow before the mines are laid,quired. The tank commander posimayalso be used.tions the mines on the surface of the(2) Antitank mines. Antitank mines are,placed in holes dug two or threeground. The loader fuses, arms, andcamouflages each mine; time permitincheslarger than the mine at the ting they may be buried. If morebottom and sloped outward at an angleof about 45 degrees toward themines are required, either or bothcrewmembers return to the tank forsurface. The depth of the hole shouldbe such that the pressure plate of thethe mines, which are normally carriedin the basket on the back of the tank.mine is flush with the ground but notEachas hismandutiesreturnsare completed.to the tankTheassafemorethan l/2-inch above the ground ty clips from the fuzes are retainedsoon(fig. 94). If the soil is soft or spongy,for reuse if the mines are recovered.a piece of board or a stone is placedThe tank commander reports theunder the mine to provide a solidmines in position. He prepares a simfoundation.The earth removed frompie minefield location report givingthe hole is used to fill in around thethe pattern, number of mines, and lomineand to provide a 1/2-inch cation for the platoon leader who forcoveringover the mine. Excess soil iswards it to the company team comremovedfrom the minefield. If mines mander. If later actions preventare laid in grassed areas, the sod neutralization of the protectivemay be folded over the top of theminefield, the company team -.commine,providing the proper depth ofcover. The fuzing and arming of antimanderforwards the record to thebattalion task force commander fortank mines are described in TM appropriate action.9-1345-200. (2) Mechanized rifle squad. The driver of