First of all, I would
-
Last edited by Jean-Loup; 01-19-2007, 11:59 AM. -
Funny,Last edited by Jean-Loup; 01-19-2007, 12:00 PM. -
-
-
-
mettre les pičges, je me suis trouv******233; au milieu desLast edited by Jean-Loup; 06-09-2006, 12:26 PM.Comment
-
-
You've caught my attention, keep going as I'm listening...........
Comment
-
Jean these are above ground trenches. When you cant dig you build up. They aernt the best though as when people shoot at you you get sharp rock chips in the face. That can mess you up fast so i heard from people that did it.
The one with the road in the foreground is probably im sure a mortar or a .50 cal. That is sited in line with the road, they would have pre recoreded the road and the linear pattern of the road is the perfect spot for a mortar to adjust onto, very perfect actually, actually the best you could ask for. I think it was built at night too or by troops who were new, tired or careless, or maybe there was more vegetation at that time cos its too silouhetted with the top of the hill.
Ive seen trenches like this in dalmatia, bosnia and places where it was too rocky to dig. Hard to say who was in the trench or for how long but most likely not for a long time, maybe a night or 3 or god knows how long judging by the position and construction of the trenches. Either way they had time to construct and didnt dig for some reason. I think some Should be down the hill further-probably made at night. Did you see ay signs of over head protection or any scrap? When youre in a defensive youre alwasy throwing things away burying thing. if you go a bit behind these trenches i think youll find things, as thats where admin and things would be going on, or crapping,lol...you might also find another fall back position behind this one 100 meters or more.
I see these almost identical every day in sudan as i work ontop of a rocky hill in sudan. Bullet pock marks show well and are easy to find. The U shaped one is probably an AMMO trench for a mortar or somthing, is it connected to another?. Or maybe a single trench, the circular one is probably a mortar trench, one with a shape like the u one maybe a connecting ammo trench or mg trench, might even have araised ledge or center in a circle so you can swing the gun or at weapon.
I would be carefull of the front of this position though as you may find UXOs or a protective minefield still in place.
Pete
Comment
-
-
Step 3: metal detector search of the zone:
This is what I discovered: apparently, the remains of boxes for mortar rounds, I found several, and pins of US grenades, silent reminders of the battle that occured here. IF ANYONE CAN IDENTIFY FOR CERTAIN THE MORTAR BOXES; I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFULL.Comment
-
-
Well, Peter, I see you predicted some of what I posted.
Dont worry, I knew exactly what these things were when I saw them . I was just acting ignorant to put myself in the position of some other forum members who dont have as much battlefield experience.
The reason the soldiers didnt dig here is because there is about 10 cm of earth, then rock. Also, they only had days to prepare.
JLComment
-
Jean be carfeul behind and in front of this position. Theres most likely storage ammo behind it or fuses , fuse compnonets around. Dont touch things you find. Im willing ot bet theres HE and white phosphourus around. Battle field invesitigators are dead wrong when they think this stuff will not function anymore. I know cos i do it for a living
Youll most lilely find saftey clips for the mortars, maybe fuze shipping cannisters, etc....this was most likely for mortars 81,82mm and bigger or the german equivalent.Comment
-
Hi Jean, great thread and very interesting information, thanks a lot.
And as Pete says, be careful out there, unexploded ordnance is not your friend!
AlanComment
Comment