Japanese ''Lunge'' Mine

By Crusader1307

The Lunge Mine was developed late in World War II, for use by The Imperial Japanese Army. These were High Explosive, Anti-Tank devices which were conical shaped. Installed onto the end of a 6 to 8-foot long wooden Pole, the Warhead featured prong-like detonators. A Soldier would charge (lunge) at an Enemy tank and ''ram'' the Head forward – resulting in detonation. While not intended as a ''suicide weapon'' – the use of The Lunge Mine almost did result in the death of the Operator. The Warhead supposedly held 4 to 5-lbs. of explosive. While American reports from 1944 (especially in The Island War phase of The Pacific Conflict), did not state that the device was successful, some Japanese accounts state they were. However, the vast majority of reports from both sides agreed that The Lunge Mine malfunctioned more than it succeeded. In addition to it's proposed use in World War II, examples were also experimented with by Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army Units against US Armored Vehicles during The Vietnam War of 1965-1975.