These
mines were called "Teapot Mines" or "Kettle Mines" because
of their shape. Each contained
about 47 pounds of explosive.
On
page 23 of his after-action report dated 06 DEC 1943, Maj.
W. K. Jones (Commander, 1/6) refers to these mines:
"Mines
-- land mines capable of completely wrecking LVTs and killing all
hands aboard were placed in great quantities on GREEN BEACH SOUTH."
TYPE
JE ANTI-BOAT MINE
Diameter:
514mm (20.5 inches)
Height:
54mm (10.5 inches)
Weight:
48kg (106 lbs.)
Explosive:
21kg (47 lbs.)
(NOTE: All measurements
are approximate - sources differ slightly.)
ADDITIONAL
DESRIPTION
The
Type JE is a hemispherical, chemical-horned, all-welded mine.
The
outer body forms a hemisphere and has two handles on its upper portion,
a central opening on top to take the booster and safety switch,
and two horn openings 180 degrees apart.
The
mine is divided internally into an explosive chamber and a chamber
containing booster, wiring, safety switch, and horn electrodes.
The division is made by a shallow, saucer-shaped steel section,
which forms less than a hemisphere which is pressed into the outer
body from the bottom and welded in place. A plate is then fitted
into the bottom of the mine and is also welded in place. This last-mentioned
plate also carries a filling plug in its center and is inset 13/16
of an inch to allow clearance for the plug.
The
horns, two in number, appear to be standard lead-acid mine horns.
They are set at an angle of about 65 degrees and project above the
level of the mine top; threads are left hand. In the firing circuit
is a spring-loaded plunger whose upper end projects through. |
