The L.P.Z. mine or Leichte Panzermine (Light tank-mine) was a circular, metal-cased German anti-tank mine produced during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. The mine was accepted into service in 1941,Mines of the Wehrmacht
/ref> and were intended for use by Paratroops. Production of the mine ended in 1942 with only 31,700 mines produced. ''Panzerfaust WW II German Infantry Anti-Tank Weapons''
M.Hofbauer The mines were first used during Operation Merkur, the airborne invasion of

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and were still in use at the end of the war. The mine is circular and has a very rounded appearance, with a central metal cap that covers the mine's safety device, a large screw. The mine is unusual in that it uses five igniter/fuzes linked to a central detonator by a series of flame tubes. Sufficient pressure on the top surface of the mine causes it to press down on one or more of the igniters, compressing a spring and allowing two steel striker retaining balls to escape, releasing the striker, which is forced upwards by a second spring. The striker hits a percussion cap at the top of the igniter, the flash from which travels along a flame tube to a metal chamber in the centre of the mine. If the safety screw is removed then the flash is free to ignite the detonator, which in turn detonates the main charge.

Specifications

* Diameter: Reported as either 263 mm or 300 mm * Height: Reported as either 125 mm or 90 mm (not including fuze) * Weight: 4.1 kg * Explosive content: 2.3 kg of

TNT Trinitrotoluene (), more commonly known as TNT, more specifically 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, and by its preferred IUPAC name 2-methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, is a chemical compound with the formula C6H2(NO2)3CH3. TNT is occasionally used as a reagen ...

* Operating pressure: 250 kg approx

References

* * TM 5-325,''Enemy Land Mines and Booby Traps'', April 19, 1943 Anti-tank mines Land mines of Germany Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1941 {{Landmine-stub