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
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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)
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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)