M29 Rodent

[Norm Cromie (RIP)]

Dennis:
Just a little note regarding devices for mine clearing.
The only true and tried way was a foot slogging infantry soldier. When I was in Italy and Sicily we used a mine the detector, personal vision and our rifle bayonets. There would have been very little success with the rodent when you figure how tricky the German's were. All they would have had to do was plant two mines the length of the tank apart. First mine would be hooked up to the second mine which would go off when the rodent would dislodge the second mine. this could be done by using an FID fuse. This was a fuse that contained explosive material in a lead covering and would go off instantainiously. There was another fuse that we used that burned at 90 feet per second. Also the Germans would also on occasion lay double teller mines which would sure have made hamburger out of the front of the rodent. As Mark pointed out another Rube Goldburg experiment went down the drain. Thought you might find this information a little interesting in your research of the rodent.
Norm.