Shell Ambush

Mortar shells can be fired as placed ambush charges in the same way as hand grenades. Being more powerful than grenades, they provide an even more lethal antipersonnel or antivehicular technique. 

MATERIALS String, wire or tape, mortar shell, primacord, blasting cap, plastic explosive (optional).  

Many types of mortar shells are packed unassembled in separate containers. In such cases one need only fill the fuse well with plastic explosive and prime it with a primacord triple roll knot. Others, including U.S. shells, are packed fully assembled. Following are the steps to be taken to prepare a fully assembled shell for use as an ambush charge  

Another way of priming the charge is to use the booster which is present in the fuse assembly instead of plastic explosive. To do this, leave the wrench on the fuse after it is removed from the shell, grip the booster cup with pliers and unscrew the booster from the fuse. 

Replace the booster in the fuse well, place one turn of primacord tightly on top of the booster and secure it firmly in place with string, wire, tape, or rags. The booster and primacord also should be securely fastened to the shell. 

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For a heavy ambush the frag grenades may be interspersed with the scatter charge previously described, mortar shells, or with other improvised fragmentation charges. 

The Japanese also developed a shaped charge (Lunge mine), which was fastened to the end of a long wooden pole. A soldier was supposed to charge out from ambush and jam the mine against the side of a tank. They also used some shaped-charge shells (Ref 31b)... 

Trade names Ambush C, Cymbush, Impesa (ICI), Barricade, Flectron, Folcord, Ripcord, Stockade (Shell)... 

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