V40
Well-Known Member
I am a believer that the "Gravel" Mines were not meant to be hand placed at all. The film definately states it is possible to pick them up. I haven't watched it all yet, but was it even made by us? But, when it comes to handling them, no way! I wouldn't be the one doing it nor can I think of anybody else including The entire US Military organization there and especially SOG.
They are in fact called an Area Deniability munitions that were used for that purpose and others. They were used against the PAVN/NVA at their home bases just across the border. They used them day or night and would stop them in their tracks. If you were an North Vietnamese Solider walking down another pathway to get to the south and you see a A1 Skyraider or A37 come by and you look up to see allot of little paper, shaped things come down all around you. Bingo, at that moment you know exactly what they are. You know exactly what they are because the Imperialists have used them against the Peoples Army of North Vietnam before. So you either run or you move on or along the trail at a turtles pace?
They were also used by the Air Force to seed any section of the "Truong Son Route". Term used by the Vietnames instead of what we called it; Ho Chi Minh Trail.
I am having second thoughts on the use of any of them for use with Operations "Igloo White" and "Duffle Bag". The reason being is how do you tell what is out there that needs to get bombed or gets another look-see and further investigation, and how do you tell it isn't worth the time an mission.
One other item. SOG after 1972 was really not itself much more. After that they were referred to as TFA1,2,& 3. They (SOG) had their own subdivision called "The Mining Authority". I wish I knew somebody that belonged to it back then. These were the gentlemen that bought SOG's mines from other people in other countries that those people never met the ones doing the buying. HINT: It is in the Middle East somewhere.
Sorry here, just playing a little "Secret Squirrel" on this subject and approaching it from another viewpoint ie., SOG's
They are in fact called an Area Deniability munitions that were used for that purpose and others. They were used against the PAVN/NVA at their home bases just across the border. They used them day or night and would stop them in their tracks. If you were an North Vietnamese Solider walking down another pathway to get to the south and you see a A1 Skyraider or A37 come by and you look up to see allot of little paper, shaped things come down all around you. Bingo, at that moment you know exactly what they are. You know exactly what they are because the Imperialists have used them against the Peoples Army of North Vietnam before. So you either run or you move on or along the trail at a turtles pace?
They were also used by the Air Force to seed any section of the "Truong Son Route". Term used by the Vietnames instead of what we called it; Ho Chi Minh Trail.
I am having second thoughts on the use of any of them for use with Operations "Igloo White" and "Duffle Bag". The reason being is how do you tell what is out there that needs to get bombed or gets another look-see and further investigation, and how do you tell it isn't worth the time an mission.
One other item. SOG after 1972 was really not itself much more. After that they were referred to as TFA1,2,& 3. They (SOG) had their own subdivision called "The Mining Authority". I wish I knew somebody that belonged to it back then. These were the gentlemen that bought SOG's mines from other people in other countries that those people never met the ones doing the buying. HINT: It is in the Middle East somewhere.
Sorry here, just playing a little "Secret Squirrel" on this subject and approaching it from another viewpoint ie., SOG's
Last edited:
