439:
486:
394:, Lt. Col. Sloan described the S-mine as "probably the most feared device encountered by Allied troops in the war." Exact death tolls inflicted by the S-mine are not known. The Allies did not record whether a death was caused by a particular type of weapon, only whether or not the death occurred in the course of battle. Regardless, some unofficial assessments credit the S-mine with having caused significant casualties. The
562:
573:. However, such expensive and bulky equipment was rarely available to infantry units and was prone to malfunction. The mine could also be detected through careful manual probing, a time-consuming process. Using a knife or a bayonet, an infantryman would probe at a low angle through the soil. It was important to probe at an angle that would not accidentally depress the pressure sensor.
614:
497:. A special tripwire adapter was provided by the German army. The steel tube that held the fuse was threaded to accept any standard German ignition or trigger, allowing the sensor to be removed and the mine to be deliberately triggered by a human operator. When triggered, the mine functioned in three stages (see diagram).
321:. The S-mine contributed to the withdrawal of these French incursions. The mine's performance in the Saar region affirmed its effectiveness in the eyes of the German leadership and prompted the United States and other countries to copy its design. After their experience, the French nicknamed the mine "the silent soldier".
671:
series of mines on the German S-mine. Soviet mines tended to be far simpler internally; instead of being filled with steel balls or scrap metal, the OZM-4 mine was given a solid cast-iron body that would fragment on its own. Later, the OZM-72 bounding mine was filled with steel rods, returning to the
576:
Once an S-mine was discovered, disarming it was fairly simple. To prevent triggering while the mine was being planted, the German pressure sensor featured a hole where a safety pin kept the sensor from being depressed. This pin was removed once the mine was planted. If the discovered mine was fitted
429:
countries, France, and
Germany still occur sporadically. North Africa and Eastern Europe have a particularly large amount of uncleared World War II-era minefields, lost in the desert sands or forgotten by authorities. While German documentation stated that the S-mine had an effective lifespan of two
421:
engaged in one of the most prolonged and successful mine-clearing operations throughout
Western Europe. France deployed a variety of personnel to undertake this task, including 49,000 German prisoners of war. This joint operation eliminated a majority of the remaining fields of mines on the war-torn
405:
S-mine production ceased after the end of World War II. No information has been discovered as to the exact fate of the remaining stockpiles of the S-mine, but it can be assumed a majority were destroyed as part of the disarmament of
Germany after its surrender, although possibly some were preserved
531:
during World War II. The mine would detonate whether the trigger was released or not. Standing still or attempting to run from the S-mine would be equally dangerous. The most effective way to survive the mine's detonation would not be to flee but to fall to the ground lying face down as quickly as
385:
nickname "Bouncing Betty" from
American infantrymen. The S-mine had a great psychological effect on Allied forces because of its tendency to maim, rather than kill, the infantryman. The German habit of laying the mines around anti-tank and anti-vehicle mines contributed to the reputation. If a
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to discourage this, so caution was suggested. The mine could then be removed carefully from the ground and the sensor easily unscrewed. If it was deemed necessary to render the mine completely inert, three plugs on the top granted access to the three detonators inside the mine. These could be
476:
The standard pressure sensor was designed to activate if depressed by a force equivalent to a weight of roughly seven kilograms (15 lb) or greater. This ensured the mine was not detonated by wildlife or natural impact of blowing leaves, branches, or other normally occurring phenomena.
472:
The main fuse was designed to delay the firing of the propelling charge for approximately four seconds after the mine was triggered. The explosion of the propelling charge sent the mine upwards into the air and activated three short-delay pellets between the propellant charge and the three
590:
The following diagrams show the SMi-35 mine's internal mechanism, together with the three-pronged pressure fuse. The safety pin for the fuse and the three removable plugs for the detonators are clearly visible. These diagrams were issued as part of a US Army field manual on mines in 1943.
647:
was inspired by the success of the S-mine. In 1940, Major Pierre (also cited as Paul) Delalande of the French Corps of
Engineers managed to escape the German conquest of his country and reached the United States with the Mle-1939 plans. These plans led to the development of the American
362:, Germans deployed millions of mines of various types, anti-personnel mines (such as the S-mine), dug hundreds of kilometers of trenches, laid barbed wire, and constructed thousands of beach obstacles. The mines were subsequently used to defend German positions during the
724:, Sweden (called Truppmina 11), and Italy. The use of mines remains a controversial issue to this day. Antipersonnel mines like the S-mine have been the subject of repeated treaties and human-rights objections. Their use is the subject of extensive international debate.
454:, where its trigger or sensor was attached. The SMi-35 had a central fuse, while the SMi-44 had an offset fuse. It weighed approximately 4 kilograms (8.8 lb), with the weight depending on whether it was loaded with the lighter powdered or the heavier poured
302:. Until production ceased in 1945, Germany produced over 1.93 million S-mines. These mines inflicted heavy casualties and slowed, or even repelled, drives into German-held territory throughout the war. The design was lethal, successful, and often imitated.
519:
The time between triggering and ignition of the propelling charge varied between 3.9 and 4.5 seconds, depending on the age and condition of the mine. According to German documentation, the S-mine was lethal within 20 meters (66 ft) and could inflict
548:
were equipped with five such devices with command variants being equipped with four. Beginning in
January 1943 all new Tiger Is were equipped with this system. These were removed in October 1943 and replaced in March 1944 by the
577:
with the pressure sensor, the disarming personnel would slip a pin (such as a sewing needle) into this hole. If the device was armed with a tripwire or electrical trigger, this could simply be cut. Germans were known to use
335:. The mines were produced in large numbers and planted liberally by defending German units. For example, the German Tenth Army deployed over 23,000 of them as part of their defense preparation during the
597:
602:
632:. This was part of a larger military assistance agreement between the two nations. Finnish forces experienced great success with the S-mine, but its monetary cost was considerable. During the
553:
or "close defense weapon" (full deployment was delayed due to production delays) which could launch anti-personnel grenades as well as smoke grenades or signal flares in all directions.
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cylinder approximately 15 centimetres (5.9 in) tall without its sensor and around 10 centimetres (4 in) in diameter. A steel rod protruding from the mine's top held the main
1120:
38:
544:" in German) in the form of angled tubes attached via brackets to the hull, were also used for anti-infantry defense by Wehrmacht armored vehicles. Early versions of the
527:
A common misconception prevailed that the S-mine would not detonate until its victim stepped off the trigger. This fallacy was propagated by incorrect United States
1010:
652:, which was fielded in 1942 but proved deficient in combat. The American army was impressed by the S-mine's role in thwarting the French offensive in the German
293:. Two versions were produced, designated by the year of their first production: the SMi-35 and SMi-44. There are only minor differences between the two models.
366:
and in the defense of
Northern France and the German border. S-mines were typically used in combination with anti-tank mines to resist the advances of both
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western half of the continent and was greatly assisted by the German policy of clearly marking and accurately recording the locations of minefields.
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detonators. These short-delay pellets delayed the mine's detonation long enough for it to reach an appropriate height before exploding.
656:
region at the beginning of World War II and continued further work on bounding mines. After the war, the
American army developed their
511:
The main charge of the mine was surrounded by roughly 360 steel balls, short steel rods, or scrap metal pieces. These became metal
386:
vehicle was disabled by a mine, the soldiers would be trapped in it until someone came to rescue them. In particular, limbs and
395:
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used the S-mine heavily during the defense of its occupied territories and the German homeland during the Allied invasions of
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414:
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The S-mine was an extremely successful design. Bouncing mines based on its design were introduced by other countries.
948:
909:
870:
846:
636:, the Finns unsuccessfully attempted to produce their own version of the mine. The Finnish nickname for the mine was
748:
US War
Department Technical Manual TM-E 30-451: Handbook on German Military Forces, 1945 (Ch. VIII, Sec. V.5.a-b).
524:
within 100 meters (330 ft). American training manuals warned of casualties at up to 140 meters (460 ft).
493:
The S-mine was normally triggered by a three-pronged pressure fuse. It could also be modified to be triggered by a
346:
in preparation for the anticipated invasion as part of a general program of heavy mining and fortification. On the
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20:
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suffered what it termed as "light" casualties in the landing, most of which were caused by S-mines.
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First, the mine was fired 0.9 to 1.5 meters (3 to 5 ft) upwards by a small propellant charge.
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by the Allies. Many direct imitations of the S-mine appeared in the years following World War II.
902:
The longest winter: the Battle of the Bulge and the epic story of WWII's Most
Decorated Platoon.
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to seven years once planted, the explosive charge might still be operable in mines to this day.
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The S-mine entered production in 1935 and served as a key part of the defensive strategy of the
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During the military occupation of Germany and the postwar rebuilding of Europe, the American
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at about one metre (3 ft) from the ground. The explosion projects a lethal spray of
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original concept of the S-mine. Both of these mines are still being produced by Russia.
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However, incidents involving accidental explosions of mines in North Africa, the former
992:– Details the use of the S-mine and other weapons during the Allied liberation of Italy
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The Finnish army began purchasing the SMi-35 model S-mine from Germany following the
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The main charge of the mine used TNT as its explosive; the propelling charge was
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developed by Germany in the 1930s and used extensively by German forces during
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The S-mine was constructed mostly of metal, so it could be easily detected by
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at the optimum height to kill or severely injure anyone in the immediate area.
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986:- Japanese website featuring US military images and diagrams of the SMi-35
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374:. The Allies removed an estimated 15,000 unexploded mines from dunes by
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Other nations that have produced S-mine-inspired designs include the
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demonstrates the process of removing a live S-mine. On the left is a
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loosely based on the S-mine. The mine was widely used during the
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270:. When triggered, these mines are launched into the air and then
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had ordered S-mines to be "sown like grass seed." To build the
289:. It was designed to be used in open areas against unshielded
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417:, the newly established French government, and the British
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encountered the S-mine during minor probes into the German
801:
Lieutenant-Colonel John Ingraham & Col. Dalton Jones.
863:
D-Day, June 6, 1944: the climactic battle of World War II
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that sprayed horizontally from the mine at high velocity.
266:, is the best-known version of a class of mines known as
37:
565:
An American paratrooper probes for mines using a knife.
19:"Bouncing Betty" redirects here. For other uses, see
947:
Green, Michael; Brown, James D. (15 February 2008).
535:
504:Approximately a half-second later, the main charge
940:
828:, Texas A&M University, College Station, 1987.
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826:Long Walk Through War: A Combat Doctor's Diary
1011:
317:region on September 7–11, 1939, during the
1182:Military equipment introduced in the 1930s
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1004:
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797:
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693:by both sides. The mine was also found in
556:
1172:World War II infantry weapons of Germany
865:. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994,
621:Bounding Mine, developed from the S-mine
612:
560:
484:
437:
342:S-mines were deployed on the beaches of
790:
779:
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660:directly from captured S-mine designs.
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818:
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582:unscrewed and the detonators removed.
465:. The standard pressure sensor used a
390:were the most vulnerable. In his book
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278:in all directions. The S-mine was an
841:New York: Simon and Schuster, 1994,
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937:US Army Field Manual FM 5-31, 1943.
904:Cambridge, Ma. Da Capo Press 2004,
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13:
970:
924:
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433:
14:
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783:Lieutenant-Colonel C.E.E. Sloan,
536:Armored vehicle discharger system
165:4.1 kg (9 lb 1 oz)
803:Technical Intelligence Bulletins
600:
595:
224:E.S.Mi.Z (pressure and electric)
36:
990:Weapons of the Italian Campaign
915:
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21:Bouncing Betty (disambiguation)
953:. Voyageur Press. p. 88.
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1:
767:, last updated 12 March 2005.
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667:also based the design of its
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691:Croatian War of Independence
489:Diagram of S-mine detonation
378:after the initial invasion.
222:Z.U.Z.Z. (pull and tension),
16:Bounding anti-personnel mine
7:
246:in German), known by enemy
10:
1198:
1121:Behelfs-SchĂĽtzenmine A.200
1116:Behelfs-SchĂĽtzenmine S.150
787:, Brassey’s, London, 1986.
722:People's Republic of China
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18:
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540:A S-mine mine launcher ("
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67:Place of origin
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446:The German S-mine was a
381:The S-mine acquired its
337:Allied invasion of Italy
204:182 g (6.4 oz)
557:Detection and disarming
415:Army Corps of Engineers
181:102 mm (4 in)
173:127 mm (5 in)
765:Finnish Army 1918–1945
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542:Minenabwurfvorrichtung
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396:12th Infantry Regiment
1177:Land mines of Germany
1053:Hohl-Sprung mine 4672
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551:Nahverteidigungswaffe
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218:S.Mi.Z 35 (pressure),
1167:Anti-personnel mines
785:Mine Warfare on Land
392:Mine Warfare on Land
1073:Riegel mine 43 / 44
824:*Klaus H. Huebner,
687:anti-personnel mine
640:("Hopping Henry").
586:Internal components
419:Ministry of Defence
408:reverse engineering
216:Various, including:
201:Filling weight
61:anti-personnel mine
48:Mark I trench knife
982:2008-01-04 at the
950:Tiger Tanks at War
859:Stephen E. Ambrose
812:2015-12-12 at the
807:(available online)
750:(available online)
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567:
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442:S-mine in a museum
364:Battle of Normandy
125:Production history
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960:978-0-7603-3112-5
617:Cutaway American
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977:STEINER: SMi-35
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268:bounding mines
252:Bouncing Betty
236:Schrapnellmine
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1028:Nazi Germany
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805:8(5), 2003.
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325:Nazi Germany
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287:World War II
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244:Splittermine
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107:World War II
88:Used by
42:An American
1131:Glasmine 43
1058:Holzmine 42
643:The French
579:booby traps
427:Warsaw Pact
376:Pouppeville
350:, just off
230:The German
141: built
119:Vietnam War
95:, Finland,
93:Axis Powers
44:paratrooper
1161:Categories
1146:Stock mine
1048:B-Stabmine
728:References
711:Mozambique
676:Yugoslavia
630:Winter War
609:Imitations
532:possible.
529:propaganda
522:casualties
400:Utah Beach
352:Utah Beach
240:Springmine
210:Detonation
144:1,930,000+
111:Winter War
59:bounding
30:S-mine 35
1136:S-Mine 35
1040:Anti-tank
1026:Mines of
873:, p. 577.
697:, Chile,
506:detonated
388:genitalia
299:Wehrmacht
272:detonated
262:" on the
260:frog-mine
254:" on the
212:mechanism
133:1935–1945
97:Viet Cong
91:Germany,
83:1935–1945
1098:Topfmine
1068:Pappmine
980:Archived
810:Archived
685:type of
683:bounding
658:M16 mine
513:shrapnel
495:tripwire
372:infantry
344:Normandy
291:infantry
276:shrapnel
250:as the "
178:Diameter
149:Variants
130:Produced
1030:during
882:p. 283.
715:Namibia
699:Eritrea
650:M2 mine
546:Tiger I
306:History
191:Filling
70:Germany
957:
908:
869:
845:
707:Kosovo
695:Bosnia
680:PROM-1
329:Europe
232:S-mine
170:Height
763:JTV.
619:M16A2
481:Usage
448:steel
368:armor
258:and "
955:ISBN
906:ISBN
867:ISBN
843:ISBN
713:and
703:Iraq
663:The
654:Saar
452:fuse
370:and
331:and
315:Saar
283:mine
162:Mass
103:Wars
56:Type
669:OZM
456:TNT
398:at
242:or
195:TNT
139:No.
1163::
926:^
861:.
792:^
772:^
756:^
735:^
717:.
709:,
705:,
701:,
458:.
339:.
238:,
117:,
113:,
109:,
1019:e
1012:t
1005:v
963:.
234:(
50:.
23:.
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