The following brief military report on German mine techniques was published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 42, January 13, 1944. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

ENEMY USE OF MINES Reports from the European theater indicate that present German mine technique is consistent with that used in North Africa except for a more varied and increasing use of antipersonnel mines. It has been noted, for example, that German engineers are very active in equipping their own demolition projects with antipersonnel mines to retard repair work by Allied engineers. Use of deeply-buried antitank mines is prevalent (see Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 41, p. 18 for previous references to this subject). As paved roads become worn, holes are broken in the surface. Such holes are advantageous to the enemy as places where mines may be concealed beneath a thick covering of earth. Because of the thick cover it is possible for the Germans to drive their own vehicles over the mines to effect excellent camouflage. Then, although the road may be examined and used by Allied vehicles for many hours without mishap, eventually the damaged surface will be worn down and another passing vehicle will explode the mine.

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