VIETCONG MINES & BOOBYTRAPS

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VIETCONGM IN E S& BOOBYTRAPS

MINES AND BOOBYTRAPSCONTENTSSECTIONIPAGEENEMY MINE WARFAREIntroduction. 1Enemy Doctrine. 3Enemy Sources of Supply . . . . 3VC Mine F a c t o r i e s . 5Enemy T a c t i c s . 6IICOUNTERMEASURESNontactical Countermeasures. . 9Tactical Countermeasures . . . 13Individual Countermeasures . . 15Immediate Action to TakeWhen and After an ExplosiveDevice is Tripped. 22Unit Training. 23IIIIVENEMY MINE INDICATORSENEMY MINES AND BOOBYTRAPSExplosive AntipersonnelDevices. 39Nonexplosive Boobytraps. . . . 48Antitank and Vehicle Mines . . 56Antihelicopter Mining. . . . . 66i

SECTION IENEMY MINE WARFAREINTRODUCTIONThe history of mine and boobytrap war fare is almost as long as the history ofwar itself. Although these devices wereonce considered an unfair and cowardlymanner of fighting an enemy, nations con tinued to develop and employ mines andboobytraps because they provided an effec tive and simple means of inflictingcasualties upon an enemy force.During the war with France, 1946-1954,the Viet Minh used improvised explosivemines and boobytraps effectively againstthe French forces. The VC/NVA have con tinued to improve upon these techniquesand are employing mines and boobytraps asan effective weapons system against freeworld military forces in SVN today. Thenumber of Marine casualties, perhapsbetter than any other example, illustrateshow effective the enemy is with thesedevices. Marines landed in force in SVNduring March 1965 and during the firstmonths of fighting approximately 65-75percent of all Marine casualties werecaused by mines and boobytraps. Much hasbeen learned about the enemy's methods ofemploying mines and boobytraps since March1965 , but despite this knowledge, Marines,at an alarming rate, continue to becomecasualties as a direct result of enemymines and boobytraps. During 1968, 37.7percent of all Marine casualties werecaused by the accidential detonation of amine or boobytrap.In other words, morethan one of every three Marines killed or1

wounded in SVN becomes a casualty as theresult of a mine or boobytrap.Althougha great many detection means, ranging fromintricate electronic devices to speciallytrained dogs, have been developed, experi ence has shown that an alert Marine, awareof what to look for and where to look, isthe most effective detection device.The information contained in this bookis intended to make each Marine aware ofthe ways which the VC/NVA use mines andboobytraps and to describe the means toeffectively protect one's self and unitfrom these devices. To aid in thisobjective, mines and boobytraps frequentlyused by the VC/NVA are identified anddescribed.Study this issue; the information init can save lives — yours and yourfellow Marines'.2

******ENEMY DOCTRINEAlthough modified by past guerrilla war fare experience in Vietnam, VC/NVA minewarfare doctrine continues to closely par allel that of the Chinese Communist Army.Extensive deliberate minefields have notbeen encountered in Vietnam. Rather, theenemy employs mines singly or in clustersto achieve his purposes.In areas occupied and protected by freeworld forces, the enemy employs mines todelay and disrupt the use of roads andpaths and to cause the allies to divertforces to guard and clear those routes. Inaddition to the threat to military trafficand lawful civilian movement, the freeworld personnel and equipment employed inpatrolling the roads and in detecting andremoving mines are prime targets.In contested areas where friendly offen sive operations or patrol activities areconducted, the enemy employs mines andboobytraps to inflict casualties, delayand channelize movement, and damage ordestroy equipment.******ENEMY SOURCES OF SUPPLYThe enemy uses a very limited number ofmodern machine-produced mines. The major ity of enemy mines are handmade by the VCusing U.S. duds, discarded ammunition andequipment, and materials thrown away byU.S. forces as trash. Ninety percent ofall the material in enemy mines and boobytraps is of U.S. origin (see fig.l). Ofall the explosive devices produced locallyin VC mine factories, 95 percent are anti personnel boobytraps.3

Figure 1.— Enemy equipment capturedby Marines on sweep operations in ICTZ.Note US M-26 grenade in center ofpicture. Other grenades are locallyproduced using C-ration cans.All dud ammunition is a source of enemysupply.After airstrikes and artilleryand mortar missions, enemy salvage teamsmake sweeps to collect duds. Lighterordnance is carried away to preparationareas; large bombs and projectiles arebroken down and stripped on the spot. Insome cases the larger duds are rigged asboobytraps where they have fallen. Thisis especially true when the enemy feelsthe strike or fire mission was a prepara tion for an infantry attack.However, dud ammunition is not the onlysource of enemy supply. Carelessly dis carded ordnance of all sizes and in anyquantity is collected by enemy salvageteams. Mortar rounds, rockets, LAAW's,4

grenades, and small arms ammunition aban doned to lighten the load (or improperlysecured and lost by fast-moving Marines)have value as the explosive element inboobytraps.Even a single Ml6 roundejected to clear a stoppage can be usedby the enemy.Additionally, materials discarded astrash and improperly destroyed such asration, ammunition, beer and soda cans,batteries, waterproof packaging materials,bandoliers, etc., provide the enemy avaluable source of supply to support hismine warfare operations. These itemshave, on numerous instances, been employedsuccessfully against Marines and theirequipment. Thorough police of friendlypositions upon departure and completedestruction of trash are mandatory to denythe enemy this source of supply.******VC MINE FACTORIESPrimitive VC mine factories are usuallylocated in the areas they supply. Greatcare is taken in the camouflage and dis persal of these facilities. Usually con structed underground, effort is made todisperse the workshops and storage through out a series of tunnels. These limitdestruction by working accidents or freeworld force artillery, air and naval gun fire and protect against discovery. Asimportant as concealment of the minefactory, is the mobility of its personneland equipment.Even while the mine factoryis being settled in one position, newpositions are being prepared for rapiddisplacement. Rarely does a mine factory5

remain in one place any longer than a fewweeks. There is no distinct pattern ofmovement. Factories have been known toreturn to previous positions even afterthat position has been discovered anddestroyed by Marine forces.NVA-trained engineers provide theskilled nucleus for the enemy mine fac tories, but supervision and labor areprimarily VC. The typical output of alocal VC mine factory is about 135 minesand explosive devices per month.######ENEMY TACTICSANTITANK AND ANTIVEHICULAR MININGAs we improve in our ability to detectmines, the enemy counters with new twistssuch as increased use of boobytrapsattached to a basic mine to create casu alties among mine-clearing personnel ;larger mines buried deeper with reducedactivation pressure; and pressure electricdetonators with offset devices to explodemines under vehicles.Command-detonatingmines are normally used in densely popu lated areas and pressure-type devices inless populated sections. The heaviestmining is along lines of communicationsnear fixed installations.The enemy makes every effort to avoidrepeating practices which, when analyzed,could indicate a pattern. Therefore, theVC/NVA doctrine stresses where to usemines, not how. Listed below are a few ofthe kinds of places where enemy antitankand antivehicular mines may be found: Road junctions and the areas in thevicinity of the road near the junction,6

with all the mines set to detonate simul taneously . Bridges and the approaches 5 to 15meters from the bridges. Old wheel and tread tracks in theroad, with care taken to duplicate thetrack after mine emplacement. Underneath roads, tunneling in fromthe shoulders. Potholes in the road. Areas recently cleared by free worldmilitary forces. The enemy replaces themines that have been taken out.ANTIPERSONNEL MINES AND BOOBYTRAPSEnemy tactics in emplacing antiperson nel mines and boobytraps differ from thoseused in antitank and antivehicular miningonly by where they put them. Locationsmost commonly used by the VC/NVA to emplaceantipersonnel mines and boobytraps are: Narrow passages. Paddy dikes. Trail junctions. Hedgerows and tree lines. Tunnels and caves. Pence lines and gates. Tree branches overhanging trails. Likely CP sites. High ground and ridgelines. Shady areas. Stream fords. Wells and natural watering pointson streams and rivers. Likely helicopter landing zones. Remember:Any place a Marine frequentlywalks, takes cover, rests, or draws wateris a likely location for enemy antiperson nel mines and boobytraps.7

SECTION IICOUNTERMEASURESCountermeasures are those actions, bothtactical and nontactical, that can betaken by units and/or individual Marineswhich reduce the mine and boobytrap threat.Countermeasures decrease the enemy'sability to emplace mines and boobytrapsor limit their effectiveness if they areemplaced.NONTACTICAL COUNTERMEASURESThe most effective way to counter theenemy's mine and boobytrap threat is todestroy this threat at its source; i.e.,the elimination of the VC/NVA mine andboobytrap factories and the sources ofsupply for these factories.Every effort must be made to locateexisting enemy mine and boobytrap factoriesand to determine likely locations forfuture factory sites. Hoi Chanhs, POW'sand captured documents must be carefullyprocessed because, with skillful handling,they provide vital information on factorylocation sites. Once found, existingfactories and future locations must bemade unusable.More important than neutralizing theenemy's mine and boobytrap factories, isthe denial to the enemy of the source ofsupply with which he operates these fac tories; i.e., unexploded U.S. ordnance,discarded equipment and improperly destroyedtrash. The fact that U.S. ordnance andsalvageable trash falls into enemy handscan be traced to several factors :9

Unexploded OrdnanceThe first factor and an important sourceof unexploded ordnance for the enemy isprovided by the free world military force'semployment of air, artillery and naval gun fire support. Some ordnance items fail todetonate, become a "dud" and provide apotential mine or boobytrap.All Marineswho employ fire support should considerthis fact in the employment of supportingarms, and be careful not to call for firesin excess of what is required to accom plish the mission.0 Abandoned MunitionsThe second factor, another Importantsource of explosive materiel supply for theenemy's mine and boobytrap operations, isabandoned or lost munitions.The followingexamples, if allowed to occur, will assistthe enemy in his efforts: Overstockage. A unit overstocks ammu nition and then is required to move onshort notice with only a basic load. Theremaining ammunition is left on the aban doned position. Ammunition Handling Procedures. Aunit attempts to turn in excess ammunitionto an ASP (ammunition supply point) and isrefused due to inefficient disposal pro cedures . Abuse of Ammunition. A unit discardsammunition considered unserviceable becauseof dirt, tarnish, mud or other avoidableconditions or minor imperfections. Loss in Transit. A helicopter slingbreaks on an ammunition resupply mission andall or a portion of the load is scatteredacross the countryside.10

Improperly Destroyed TrashThe last factor, but far from leastImportant to the enemy's mine and boobytrap program, is his source of supply fromfriendly trash. All items consideredunusable by free world forces must be com pletely destroyed or properly disposed of.Figure 2 shows one example of the resultsof an improperly policed friendly area ofoperations. Discarded C-ration/soda cansare also commonly used in a type of boobytrap which is constructed with an M26grenade. The safety pin is removed andthe grenade is put in the can. When thecan is disturbed, the grenade slips out,the spoon pops and the grenade detonates.Figure 2.— Shown is a VC grenade madefrom locally available materials in cluding a carelessly discarded "Coke"can.11

######The VIP (Volunteer Informant Program)has proved to be an increasingly effectivecountermeasure to the enemy’s mine andboobytrap efforts. This program rewardsVietnamese individuals who turn in dudand abandoned munitions. Continued empha sis on this program will significantlydecrease the enemy capacity to employ U.S.ordnance against free world forces.(Seefig. 3.) During one period, 188 of 259payments in the III MAP area were made tochildren who turned in explosives suitablefor the manufacture of boobytraps. To en sure that the effectiveness of VIP reachesIts full potential, it is the responsibilityof every individual Marine and each Marineunit to give VIP their complete support.Figure 3.— Shown here is the VIP(Volunteer Informant Program) in action.Articles on ground have been turned into Marines by local villagers.12

TACTICAL COUNTERMEASURESTactical countermeasures employed byMarine units are very effective in reduc ing the enemy’s capability of emplacingmines or boobytraps if such countermeasuresare aggressively planned and executed. Unitcommanders have several tactical measuresat their disposal, including the employmentof sophisticated electronic devices. Theyare: Employing portable ground radar andseismic intrusion devices. Maintaining a constant physical pres ence throughout the TAOR to include outposting of key roads. This is the mosteffective tactical countermeasure, butsometimes difficult to achieve because ofthe number of Marines required to ensuregood coverage. Conducting aggressive patrolling. Conducting reconnaissance patrols toverify S-2 intelligence reports. Employing scout-sniper teams. Conducting small unit cordon andsearch operations in coordination withVietnamese units/police. Employing H&I fires over roads orover specific areas. Employing small stay-behind patrolsdropped off unnoticed from units passingnear a road. Paving or oiling dirt roads. Patrolling and outposting on andnear roads. Employing Kit Carson Scouts. Usingthe native ability of the Kit Carson Scouts,coupled with their knowledge of the areaof operations and VC activities, can provehighly useful in locating devices. During13

October 1968, Kit Carson Scouts found 229mines and boobytraps in the III MAF area. Scout Dogs. Using specially traineddogs (see fig. l».) to detect the scent leftby the Individual emplacing a mine orboobytrap. This scent is detectable 1- days after emplacement.Since boobytrapsare generally emplaced shortly after initi ation of friendly operations, the chanceof discovery by dogs is good. A traineddog will use his vision to detect tripwiresand unnatural elements, and his hearing todetect sound waves created by tripwirevibration.Many dogs detect a tripwirewhen it touches the body hair of theirforelegs or chest. Most are agile enoughto back away before it is tripped. Of 119dogs killed in SVN since January 1967,only seven were killed by boobytraps.Figure 4 .--Specially trained dogssuch as the one shown here have provenextremely valuable in detecting enemymines and boobytraps.1M

INDIVIDUAL COUNTERMEASURESIndividual countermeasures are thosemeasures each and every Marine can take todiminish the effectiveness of a mine orboobytrap device which has been emplaced,and is found or is accidentally detonated.This can be accomplished through physicalprotective measures, detection and destruc tion measures, avoidance of explosivedevices, and through application of immedi ate action when an explosive device hasbeen accidentially detonated.[ Physical Protective CountermeasuresThe individual Marine can take thesesteps to reduce the effectiveness of enemymines : Wear body armor and helmet. Sandbag vehicle flooring. When possi ble, place a heavy rubber mat over sandbagsto reduce secondary fragments such asshrapnel, sand, stones and pieces of sand bag. Keep arms and legs inside vehicles toachieve maximum protection from sandbags. Maintain proper distance from otherpersonnel. Don't travel alone. Don't pick up or touch what appear tobe attractive "souvenirs". The VC/NVA preyupon the natural curiosity of Marines andtheir desire to take home a souvenir. Beware: That "souvenir" is most likelya boobytrap.( Detection CountermeasuresOnce emplaced, a mine or boobytrap mustbe found before it causes multiple casu alties through accidental detonation by15

a Marine. Unfortunately, too many boobytraps are discovered only after theyexplode. It is imperative that detectiontechniques be stressed. Detection may beby: Visual Inspection. At present, thebest mine and boobytrap detector in theMarine Corps Is an alert and observantMarine. Each Marine must know the areasin which boobytraps and mines are normallyfound and be alert for things which "justdon't look right." Examples are: Mud smears, mudballs, dung, or aboard on the road. Apparent road repair, new fill orpaving patches, ditching or culvert work. Wires leading away from the side ofthe road. Tripwires across the trails; alongshoulders of roads at likely ambush sites;across the most accessible route throughdense vegetation; at fords, ditches andacross rice paddy dikes. Terrain features which do not appearnatural.Cut vegetation dries and changescolor; rain may wash away covering materialand cause an explosive device to sinkleaving a surface depression; a covereddevice may appear as a mound. Suspicious items in trees, branches,or bushes. Markings used by VC/NVA to indicatethe location of a mine or boobytrap. Probing.Suspicious spots must be care fully probed with a probe or bayonet. Mine detectors. Mine detectors aredesigned to assist the individual Marinein a detailed, deliberate sweep of a spe cific area, usually a road. Particular16

attention must be given to the time factorsof the individual sweeping situation, sinceoverhasty opening of a road can mean anineffective sweep and quite possiblydestruction or injury to vehicular trafficand personnel. The average sweep ratevaries from almost nothing to about 5 m.p.h.depending, of course, on the proficiencyof the team and the number of contactsencountered.In using detectors, certainconsiderations must be kept in mind: Graveled roads make it difficult forthe AN/PRS-d detector to discriminatebetween real and false targets. Metallic debris, such as can tops,small arms ammunition cases, and metalfragments from artillery rounds fired overroads at night to discourage mine laying,make it difficult for the AN/P153 detectorto discriminate between real and falsetargets.#The tendency for the enemy to burymines deeper than designed detection depths,and to deliberately plant metallic debrisin the road, calls for additional cautionin the use of detectors. Operator fatigue. Consideration mustbe given to the fatigue experienced byoperators after 20 minutes of wearingdetector earphones. This condition can bedelayed to 1 or 2 hours by wearing earphonesover the helmet so that 2 to 4 Inches existbetween ear and phone. This also permitsthe operator to hear a verbal alert foran ambush. Use of the 'Buddy System. This systemis not only useful in training inexperi enced Marines, but also provides an extramargin of safety to the individuals whoemploy it. Two Marines working together,in the same area, have the advantage of17

increased detection capability, mutualreassurance, and shared knowledge.()Destruction CountermeasuresOnce detected, mines and boobytrapsmust be marked and/or destroyed in placeby the discovering person or unit to pre vent accidential detonation by a followingunit or individual Marine. Considerationsfor destruction are: Mines and boobytraps should not bemoved unless absolutely neces

the Viet Minh used improvised explosive mines and boobytraps effectively against the French forces. The VC/NVA have con tinued to improve upon these techniques and are employing mines and boobytraps as an effective weapons system against free world military forces in SVN today. The number of Marine casualties, perhaps

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