Mines and Traps

During the French and Viet Minh conflict the Viet Minh used improvised explosive mines and booby traps effectively to harass, slow down and demoralize the French forces. The Viet Cong (VC) have improved upon their predecessor’s techniques and are using emplaced munitions as an effective weapon. This effectiveness is attested to the high percentage of US casualties which are caused by VC mines and by booby traps. It is quite evident that we must learn something of the munitions and their use by the VC.

This manual wass written to familiarize all personnel with VC techniques for improvising explosive mines and … Continue Reading

Fleet Marine Force Reference Publication (FMFRP) 12–43, Professional Knowledge Gained from Operational Experiencein Vietnam, 1969, Special Issue, Mines and Boobytraps, is published to ensure the retention and dissemination of useful information which is not intended to become doctrine or to be published in Fleet Marine Force manuals. FMFRPs in the 12 Series are a special category of publications: reprints of historical works which were published commercially or by the U.S. Government Printing Office and are no longer in print.

This reference publication complements existing training manuals on smallunit tactics, patrolling, weapons, mines and booby traps, and leadership. Written by a multitude … Continue Reading

This document contains information on making a replica of a German WWII mine known as a pepper pot. This mine was not intended to kill the enemy but wound him by blowing off his foot. The Germans made these in great quantity and put them to good use. The mine was made out of glass and plastic with very little metal and was hard to find with a mine detector.

Contains complete documentation for how an improvised version of this mine could be made.

This Vietnam–era U.S. Military Field Manual covers all aspects of incendiary systems. It describes useful initiators, igniters, incendiary materials, delay mechanisms, and spontaneous combustion devices designed for direct use in sabotage and unconventional warfare. Complete with diagrams and clear instructions.

234 pages. Written for U.S. Army Special Forces to be used in the field. Chapters on incendiary systems tools and techniques, initiators, fusecord, improvised string fuse and others. Chapters on incendiary materials napalm improvised paraffin sawdust, fire bottles and much more. Well illustrated.

This manual deals with subjects pertaining to destructive techniques and their applications to targets in guerrilla and unconventional warfare. Unconventional Warfare Devices and Techniques present the principals of construction and methods of use of devices and techniques that are proven reliable and effective. This manual on references to unconventional devices and techniques contains more than 400 abstracts on … Continue Reading

The purpose of this handbook is to provide United States military personell with a compact source of orientation and recognition data on improvised equipment and explosive devices in use by the Viet Cong in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Viet Cong forces have aquired wide experiance in constructing grenades, mines, fuses, explosive charges and other deadly weapons and devices by using commonly available materials. These devices, cunninly placed and camouflaged, have caused many casualties.

This manual details nearly 100 improvised mines and boobytraps. It is fully illustrated.

The following report concerning mines and booby traps was prepared by a former rifle platoon leader who served with the Americal Division in late 1967 and early 1968. His observations and reproduced to assist all personnel in detecting and neutralizing enemy emplaced mines and booby traps.

This document details many different types of improvised booby traps including:

Booby TrapsRoad TrapWalk TrapBangalore TorpedoHomemade Hand GrenadeAnti–Personnel GrenadeBook TrapGate TrapChimney TrapPipe TrapCacodyalMolotov CocktailWhistle Trap & Other Handy Devices

Describes how regular demolition charges and materials can be used for victim–initiated explosive devices. This manual is no longer active, but is still frequently referenced.

FM 5–31 is a treasure–chest of information for the professional soldier or police demolition specialist. It covers U.S., Japanese, German, British, Soviet, Chinese, and Korean boobytrap methods, materials, devices & standard ammunition items, improvisations, installation, detection & removal. Specific, practical & the finest non–classified handbook in print on this subject. Glossary of terms & a detailed index.

This manual is a reference handbook published as an aid in training, familiarization, and identification of land mines and mine fuzes. This manual is not authorization for requisition, stockage, maintenance, or issue of the materiel described herein.

For each item of materiel, there are illustrations and descriptions together with characteristics and related data. Included in the related data are weights, dimensions, performance data, packing, shipping and storage data, type classification, and logistics control codes (LCC).

Information concerning supply, operation, and maintenance of the items will be found in the publications referenced for those items. A complete listing of these publications is maintained … Continue Reading

This manual provides United States Armed Forces with technical guidance for conducting mine and countermine operations. It is to be used by all elements of the combined arms team, with special attention given to maneuver and engineer staff planning and coordination. The guidance provided focuses on every level. It includes individual skills of emplacing and removing mines, team and squad tasks, platoon and company organization and planning, and battalion/task Force organization and coordination for successful obstacle reduction and breaching. It also contains new and improved techniques for row mining, marking, reporting, and recording minefield; breaching simple and complex obstacles; and … Continue Reading