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M1A1 Anti-Tank Mine

Mine, AT, M1A1

mineU.S. Ordnance Department · 1942–1950

OVERVIEW

Standard U.S. anti-tank mine for obstacle and route denial roles.

HISTORIAN'S COMMENTARY

Before the Storm

Introduced between 1942 and 1950, M1A1 Anti-Tank Mine was fielded by United States forces as a mine instrument for close combat and battlefield shaping.

In the Field

Loaded with Pressure-fuzed anti-tank mine filling and pressure fuze fuzing, this 5.2 kg munition depended on nerve and timing more than machinery. Its effective use envelope was typically close placement.

Historian's Note

On the ground, it reshaped movement itself, turning roads, fields, and choke points into calculated hazards. Its historical value came from practical battlefield utility rather than dramatic technical scale.

SPECIFICATIONS

TypePressure-fuzed anti-tank mine
FuzingPressure fuze
FillingTNT
Weight5.2 kg
Effective RangeContact / Placement
Blast RadiusVaries by use

DEVELOPMENT

The M1A1 gave U.S. forces a standardized pressure anti-tank mine for mobility denial and route control. Wartime engineering doctrine emphasized straightforward emplacement and reliable fuze behavior.

COMBAT HISTORY

It was used to disrupt enemy armor movement and protect flanks, crossings, and prepared positions. Effectiveness increased when minefields were integrated into broader anti-tank defense plans.

NOTABLE USES

  • [01]U.S. engineer obstacle plans in Europe. - M1A1 Anti-Tank Mine employment here depended on timing, distance, and unit coordination more than raw charge size.
  • [02]Anti-vehicle route denial around key approaches and choke points. - This use case shows how engineers and infantry turned explosive tools into tactical advantage in constrained terrain.
  • [03]Defensive belt integration with guns, infantry, and artillery. - Field application in this context illustrates why placement and doctrine governed real effect.

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