Achtung Minen!

This is coolbert:

Here are two examples of military forces using minefields while on the OFFENSIVE - - minefields acting as barriers intended to:

* Prevent enemy forces INSIDE of the barrier from escaping.

* Prevent enemy forces OUTSIDE of the barrier from launching a counter-attack.

Minefields of course not designed as an absolute barrier, an impediment to movement but not in totality . Designed to make your enemy:

* Slow down.

* Deploy.

* Cause casualties.

1. Operation Sea Lion - - the German invasion of England [1940].

"Seelöwe - German & British mining operations"

German naval forces protecting the invasion force by with a barrier on either side of the English channel, those barges carrying German troops protected from OUTSIDE attack in large measure by naval sea mines.

"For flank protection of the crossing routes there were planned laying tactical minefields. The average distance between mines within the various fields would be 30-55 meters. It was planned to integrate the French-British minefields in the area Dover-Calais and Dunkirk into the total German mine planning.

"Hitler's directive set four pre-conditions for the invasion to occur:  On 16 July 1940, Hitler issued Directive No. 16"

"The English Channel was to be swept of British mines at the crossing points, and the Straits of Dover must be blocked at both ends by German mines."

The German operational plan incorporating into this sea mine "field" allied naval sea mines laid some time previous by the British and French. Force the allies to attack through their own barrier to a degree.

The German NOT having the numbers and type of suitable mines to do the job properly, if and when the "go" signal had been given. NOR the numbers and types of ships or aircraft to "lay" the minefield! A pipe-dream existing ONLY on paper and not feasible.

2. The Second Battle of Grozny [1999-2000].

Several thousand Chechen irregular fighters, attempting an escape from INSIDE the embattled city of Grozny, stumbling into a Russian minefield, casualties enormous and horrific.

"Battle of Grozny (1999–2000)"

 "[a] column of some 2,000 fighters, several hundred non-combatants and 50 Russian prisoners of war, hit a minefield between the city and the village of Alkhan-Kala . . . The Chechens pushed on through the minefield, being not aware of it . . . Scores of rebel fighters were killed by the combination of artillery fire and the crossing of the minefield . . . The rebels said they lost about 400 fighters in the minefield at Alkhan-Kala, including 170 killed. About 200 of the wounded were maimed"

Those surviving the passage HAVING TO TRAMPLE ON THE BODIES OF THE DEAD!

"Chechens' Corpses Paved Path Across Minefield"

The Soviet/Russian has always been noted for their usage of mines while on the offensive. Even in the latter days of World War Two, even when attacking, the Soviet constructing layers of anti-tank defenses to consolidate territory gained, those defenses multitudes of anti-tank ditches and obstacles, anti-tank mines and pre-sited anti-tank gun firing positions!

The use of minefields as an offensive weapon was a NO in 1940, but a YES in 2000! A mirage for the German but definitely a "real" for the Chechen!

coolbert.