The German S-mine (Schrapnellmine) is the most well-known version of a class of mines known as bounding mines, which launch into the air about waist height to then explode, propelling shrapnel horizontally at lethal speeds. The S-mine was an antipersonnel landmine developed by Nazi Germany in the 1930s and used extensively by German forces during World War II. It was designed to be used in open areas and to attack unshielded infantry. Two versions were produced, designated by the year of their first production: the SMi-35 and SMi-44. There are only minor differences between the two models (TM-E 30-451, 1945). The S-mine entered production in 1935 and served as a key part of the defensive strategy of the Third Reich. Until production ceased with the defeat of Germany in 1945, Germany produced over 1.93 million S-mines. These mines were responsible for inflicting heavy casualties and slowing, or even repelling, drives into German-held territory throughout the war. The design was lethal, successful and much imitated, and remains one of the definitive weapons of World War II.
Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-mine
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1887: Bloody Sunday clashes in Trafalgar Square (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Sunday_%281887%29)
1970: Bhola cyclone: A 100-mph tropical cyclone hit the densely populated Ganges Delta region of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), killing an estimated 500,000 people (this is regarded as the 20th century's worst cyclone disaster). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_Bhola_cyclone)
1982: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington D.C. after a march to its site by thousands of Vietnam War veterans. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Memorial)
1985: The volcano Nevado del Ruiz erupted, causing a lahar (volcanic mudslide) that buried Armero, Colombia, killing approximately 23,000 people. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevado_del_Ruiz)
1990: The first known web page was written. (see: http://www.w3.org/History/19921103-hypertext/hypertext/WWW/Link.html) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wide_Web)
_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:
"Once for all, then, a short precept is given thee: Love, and do what thou wilt: whether thou hold thy peace, through love hold thy peace; whether thou cry out, through love cry out; whether thou correct, through love correct; whether thou spare, through love do thou spare: let the root of love be within, of this root can nothing spring but what is good." -- Augustine of Hippo (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo)