Surcharged Mines

Also called Overcharged Mines and Globes of Compression. A mine in which the radius of the crater produced by the explosion of the powder charge was greater than the length of the line of least resistance. Surcharged mines were employed to destroy surface fortifications or excavate large craters to speed the advance of saps and estalishment of parallels. This type of mine was also used to crush defensive mine galleries in advance of the third parallel to clear the way for the advance of surface siege works.

January, 2003