ABSTRACT

A variety of non-explosive, delayed-action weapons have been employed, probably throughout history, in many parts of the world. There is a great variety of delayed-action weapons, ranging from inert or explosive devices waiting for an unwary foot to tread on them, to munitions which explode after a given time or when detonated by remote control. In principle, the wounding effects of delayed-action munitions are similar to those caused by the other munitions described. Because they are often hidden and remain active for a long time, mines and other delayed-action munitions may present a considerable hazard not only to the enemy but also to the side using them, as well as to the civilian population. A final category of delayed-action munition is represented by those conventionally fuzed munitions that fail to detonate immediately and remain in the terrain as a potential hazard.