Quote:
Originally Posted by Araqiel
To start with the most basic they used backpacks loaded with explosives, functionally similar to satchel charges except they were worn on the back of an infantryman who would conceal himself until the tank was in range, and then dive under it, detonating the charge by pulling a cord. They would also dig foxholes in the middle of the road, mostly during the Burmese campaign, where troops would hide with explosives which they would detonate when a tank passed over them. These men were not issued sidearms, and there are reports of them being overrun by Allied forces and standing to die rather than use the explosives to defend themselves - presumably because they had been instructed that these explosives were only to be used for the vital effort of destroying enemy armour. Type 93 anti-tank mines were also mounted on poles and thrust under the track of an oncoming tank by hand; bad for the tank, and the guy on the other end of the stick.
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Christ, desperate times, desperate measures. The psychological issues behind it must be mind blowing. knowing your sole purpose is to sit in a hole, wait for a tank, and die. job done. mission complete. just crazy.
They could have used timed charges surely? or fused charges, or did they not have the availability? I know some armies have used prisoners for these purposes in the past. Was that the case here or were they regular conscripted citizens?