Japanese 7.7mm Machine Gun , Sniper Shield & Land Mine

Steve Saunders adds:
"I found the land mine whilst snorkeling just off my garden. It was upside down in an area where I was finding lots of 75mm timer and plain fuses and cartridge igniters (I'm hoping for another big storm!). It is just the top half and is hollow. I was not sure what it was and thought it might be a
'Tommy gun' magazine. It wasn't until I borrowed a copy of a Japanese weapons book (a reprint of war time assessments), that I relised what it was. It is interesting in that it is made of brass. Here is what it says on the display:

Japanese model 33 (1933) land mine (Jira) General Purpose
This mine is exploded by pressure applied anywhere on its upper surface.
It is used either for antipersonnel or antitank purposes. Fuzes are provided with shear wires of various strengths, enabling it to be set to function under a pressure of between 20 and 250 lbs (9-115 kg). Additional explosive may be placed beneath the mine to give it greater force. The wire loops are for anchoring the mine in shifting sand etc and for attaching drew strings for pulling under vehicles. Around Rabaul all beaches, landing points and possible approaches would have been mined. This example was found on Nonga-Tavui No 1 beach."

Display at the Rabaul New Guinea Club

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009