🚀 go-pugleaf

From: Wes Morgan <morgan@ms.uky.edu>

In article <14241@cbnews.ATT.COM> ssc-vax!shuksan!major@beaver.cs.washington.edu (Mike Schmitt) writes:
>  But, Rule #2 in Emplacing a Minefiled is, to cover that
>  minefield with fire - usually indirect fire from mortars or artillery -
>  sometimes with direct fire.   
>

Actually, you want to cover the areas *around* the minefield with direct
fire, thereby channeling <i.e. forcing movement> into the minefield.  Once
the enemy has entered the minefield, you call in the big boys of indirect
fire.  We had one platoon of engineers wipe out a company of infantry with
this tactic.  A little harassing fire, they realize a clear path through
it, try to bug out, and....surprise!  It's Mr. Minefield!  Heh heh heh....

>  Usually, a combat engineer squad accompanies infantry/armor companies.
>  They have organic 'mine-clearing' equipment - so - call up the engineer
>  squad and let them clear it - it's their job.
>

One of the nice methods of clearance was under development while I was
on active duty <8th Engr Bn, 1st Cav Div, FT Hood, TX>.  A jeep trailer
contains explosive charges on a *long* wire with a solid-propellant
rocket on the end, something like this:

---***-----***-----***-----***-----***-----***-----***-----[[[>

The length we tested was about 400 meters.  The charges were C4 plastic
explosive.  Pull the trailer up to the beginning of the minefield, launch
the rocket..........when it impacts, the detonator in the nose sets off
the charges, thereby creating a nice clear alley through the field.  I
seem to remember the alley's width as approximately 25 feet.  This method
seems much nicer than bangalores or fake fronts for CEVs....8) 

Anyone out there who can give an update on this equipment?

Wes Morgan

-- 
  The opinions expressed above are not those of UKECC unless so noted.
Wes Morgan                 \       {rutgers,rayssd,uunet}!ukma!ukecc!morgan
University of Kentucky      \   or morgan@engr.uky.edu
Engineering Computing Center \  or morgan%engr.uky.edu@UKMA.BITNET