Miscellaneous section from the February 1943 issue of the Intelligence Bulletin, covering "Field Patching of Armored Troop Carriers" and "Map Signs for Obstacles." [Editor's Note: The following article is wartime information on enemy tactics and equipment published for Allied soldiers. In most cases, more accurate data is available in postwar publications.]

 

MISCELLANEOUS (German) Field Patching of Armored Troop Carriers, Map Signs for Obstacles 1. FIELD PATCHING OF ARMORED TROOP CARRIERS (HALF-TRACKED) In the field the Germans have made use of an unusual type of patch to cover holes pierced in the armor of their half-tracked armored troop carriers. The plates are secured by conical-headed bolts inserted through the holes and—in the case of patches examined to date—held by steel strips at the back (see fig. 1). Apparently the plates have been designed especially for this purpose. Their peculiar shape permits them to be fitted anywhere on the armor service. The plates are drilled in five places; the three top holes are countersunk, while the lower two are not. It is worth noting that specimens of patching observed, the fixing bolts did not fit into the countersinks. Although the reason for the three countersunk and two plain holes is not entirely clear, it is quite possible that one plate is meant to serve as a background or securing plate—hence the two plain holes. This theory seems borne out by the fact that the securing bars which have been observed to date appear to have been makeshift jobs. Figure 1 2. MAP SIGNS FOR OBSTACLES The following symbols, which the American soldier may find on German maps, are taken from a German Army document.    Close spaced A T minefield Symmetrically spaced minefield Disposed A T mines Dummy minefield Anti-personnel minefield Trip wire mines Air bombs (5 in number) Exploder point Firing lead Observed mines with exploder point Single concertina Triple concertina Marked lane Concealed lane Patrol lane Plain wire fence Wire obstacle in depth Stone heaps and cans marking limits Concealed charges Apron or double apron Trip wire Figure 2

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