"Russian Minefields" Topic

Sorry for any sensitive 'russian souls' with my last comment…..

Andy +1 Yes, if you see a minefield as I said you'd avoid it. That should be a given. They may also be a ruse and not contain any mines. A good deception plan. It still could work in the A2/AD role.

As I said when in the ROK on the DMZ, '84-'85. There are old minefields clearly visible/marked. So, no one ventured into those.

The other situation that was seen in Iraq & A'stan mines, IEDs, etc. were not visible. Similar as in Vietnam … By the time you know you hit a mine or in a minefield it was too late …

I some cases as I said, the minefields are not marked. So, it may be easy to run into a field.

Stillsenneffe +1 [on your last post on page 1 of this thread] Ok … page 2 also …

"Could you guys if you hit a minefield, be able to judge what sort it was, early enough for it to influence your subsequent decisions and if so on what grounds would you make that identification"- Uscha

If we are talking a minefield laid as part of defensive fortifications the fact it is there is usually known to the attacker. Recon scouts or infantry probing the defense probably set some off… There is no way to know the layout, density or much else about the minefield. What happens is the attacker will pick a spot to clear a lane and achieve a breakthrough during an assault.

Incidental minefields laid for harassment purposes are a different issue.

Yes, as I posted, minefields can be marked to act as a deterrent to an enemy advance, etc. As to cross it with, e.g., CE assets, direct & indirect fire support, etc. comes into play. And could quickly become not only a slow process but a deadly one.

And again, in places like Vietnam, Iraq & A'stan in some cases units run across some IEDs, or a few mines, etc. that are not visible until someone runs over/steps on one, etc. And of course, that will slow or stop an advance, for obvious reasons.

Joining ROTC in '75 then on active duty in '79. The ghosts/lessons of Vietnam influenced our training. And justifiably so IMO. Booby traps/IEDs/a few mines, none of which you could see. Were considered I'd think more of a threat than a marked minefield. As you don't know where they are until one is detonated, etc.

And again, as with MOUT, our best option would be to by-pass if at all possible … Again for all the reasons I have mentioned.

Clearing a minefield or fighting in MOUT we did trained for it. As we had to have some skill at those environments, etc. But again can be time consuming & costly …

Good article Tango posted here on mine clearing in the Ukraine. May make this topic clearer …

link