The following intelligence report on different versions of the German antipersonnel S-Mine was published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 42, January 13, 1944. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

MODIFICATIONS OF THE S-MINE 35 Details of further modifications of the German antipersonnel S-Mine 35 have recently been received. The modifications do not appear to follow any set rule. There is as yet no documentary evidence that the Germans have special designations for mines incorporating different modifications. Some of the more important alternate modifications of this mine are set out below. Items marked asterisk (*) are not modifications but are of original design. (a) Top Plate (1) Flat plate extends over outer container to form a seal *(2) Convex plate fits flush inside the outer container, with a sheet metal seal (3) Convex plate fits inside and slightly below the level of the outer container, with a wax seal. (b) Explosive Filling *(1) Poured TNT - weight 14 oz (approx) (2) TNT powder - weight 8 oz (c) Shrapnel Filling *(1) Steel balls (2) Short lengths of 3/8 in mild steel rod (3) Small pieces of scrap steel. (d) Detonator Tubes *(1) Brass (2) Compressed paper (e) Detonator Tube Cover Plugs *(1) Without positioning springs (2) With positioning springs (3) Without positioning springs but with wooden plugs fitting into ends of detonator tubes. (f) Attachment of Inner Container to Outer Container *(1) No attachment (2) Three small steel or brass screws (g) Sealing Washers (1) Rubber (2) Lead (h) Propellant Charge Cover Plate (1) Lead (2) Flexible plastic material It has been suggested that the detonator positioning springs were incorporated so that individual mines would burst at a more uniform height above ground. The presence of the three securing screws, which must be sheared before the mine is ejected from its outer container, will reduce the height to which the mine rises prior to exploding. The reduction in weight of explosive, through the use of TNT powder, will most probably reduce the lethal radius of the mine but the effects of steel scrap, as against steel balls, may be more dangerous.

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