A.T. Mine G.S. Mark V

The Anti-Tank Mine, General Service, Mk V was a cylindrical, metal-cased United Kingdom anti-tank blast mine that entered service in 1943, during the Second World War.^{[2] [3]} It was replaced in British service with the Mk 7 mine. Two versions of the mine were produced, the Mk. V and the Mk. VC with the same external dimensions. The only difference was that the Mk. VC had a half-sized explosive charge.

Anti Tank Mine. G.S. Mark V
Mark V GS Mines, about to be laid in Egypt, 2 July 1942
Type	anti-tank mine
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
Wars	World War II Rhodesian Bush War South African Border War
Production history
Variants	Mine G.S. Mk V Mine G.S. Mk VC
Specifications
Mass	12.5 pounds (5.7 kg), Mk. V 8 pounds (3.6 kg), Mk. VC [1]
Height	4 inches (100 mm)
Diameter	8 inches (200 mm)[1]
Filling	TNT or Baratol[1]
Filling weight	8.25 pounds (3.74 kg), Mk. V 4 pounds (1.8 kg), Mk. VC [1]
Detonation mechanism	Pressure activated, shear-pin fuze (350 pounds (160 kg) of pressure)

The mine used a spider pressure plate that makes it resistant to blast overpressure. The spider rests on a central Mk 3 fuse (sometimes referred to as No.3 Mk I), which contains a spring-loaded striker held in place by a shear pin. The mine, being made largely of steel tended to rust making its activation unpredictable.

It is found in Angola, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Mozambique, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

Variants

• Mine G.S. Mk VC (general service version)
• Mine G.S. Mk V