Riegel mine 43

The Riegel mine 43 or (Sprengriegel/R.Mi. 43) is a German steel cased anti-tank bar mine used during the Second World War. The mine is a long thin oblong, it consists of lower and upper metal tray and an internal metal cased explosive block. It uses two ZZ42 fuzes inserted into either end of the internal block, although it can be used with an additional top pressure fuze side. . The mine is similar to the Italian B-2 mine. A variant, the Riegel mine 44 was also produced with a different fuze. 3,051,400 were produced between 1943 and 1945.

The mine is almost impossible to disarm, since the corrosion of the wires in the fuze mechanism may have made the mine sensitive to even touch, additionally the mine could be fitted with up to three anti-handling devices.

The mine is found in Egypt and Libya.

pecifications

* Weight: 9.3 kg
* Explosive content: 4 kg of TNT
* Length: 800 mm
* Width: 95 mm
* Height: 120 mm
* Operating pressure: Variable - 360 kg at the centre, 180 kg at the ends.

References

* "Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance 2005-2006"
* "TM-E 30-451"