Page 251 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

NAVAl. WEAPO NS AND AIRC RAFT 257

Mine Warfare Capabilit ies The potential for mine blockade without direct harm to the
local populace can be a useful weapon to force settlement of
Of all the aspects of mine warf~tre) none is as significant as the pro-
disputes without actual combat, or to constmin a limited war.
found psychological effect of the mine. Almost invariably the dan-
ger of mines is judged to be much greater that the actual physical
threat. Because a minefield is hidden, unknown in extent, and dif-
ficult to assess, there is a usual tendency to overestimate the threat.
STU DY GU IDE Q U ESTIO N S
It is not the calculation of the minefield's clTectivcness b)' the mine-
layer, but the enelllY's estimate of the threat thai is important. 1. \'Vhat are the three principal aspects of mine warfare?
tn addition to the tactic:Ii crfects of mine warfare, there is no 2. How is defensive mining used?
question that the lise or threat of use of mines has had a strong eft-eet
3. How is offensive mining lIsed?
on politiGli i.1l1d military strategy. Mines possess a number of unique
4. \Vhere was the first American attempt at mine warfare in the
qualities that make them very significant in strategic planning.
Revolutionary \-Var carried out?
J\-lines are versatile. They can do direct damage to military
units, but they can also attack the enemy's economy. Ships carry 5. \,Vho conducted research in the early nineteenth centmy
demonstrating that ships were vulnerable to underwater
the large bulk of international trade goods, and the)' are vulner-
explosions?
able to attack and tot<1lloss. i\·iines can destroy a nation's merchant
marine. They can increase damage to enemy forces by restricting 6. A. \,Vhat WJS the famous Civil \Var sea battle in which mines
their area of operations, thereby making their ships more suscep- plJyed a crucial part?
tible to attack. B. \VllO was the Union naval commander, and what was his
Mines are passive weapons. The target comes to the mine. This famolls directive?
has a number of advantages. The mine maintains its vigilance for a 7. following the Russo-Japanese \,Var, why was there all attempt
considerable amount of time, without continued commitment of to place international legal restrictions 011 some aspects of
forces. The enemy is t~lCed with a choice between confrontation of mine \\'arfare?
the minefirld and acceptance of a blockade situation. 8. A. \·Vhat was the most extensive Allied mining effort in \Vorld
.Mines arc selective weapons. The), can be set to be detonated \,Var I?
only by a very specific size or class of target, and can be selective in
B. \'Vhat was it designed to do?
depth or range. f.-lines are flexible in duration and times of activa-
9. \Vhat two new offensive minelaying methods were employed
tion. The)' can be rendered harmless during selected time inter-
during \Vorld \Var II?
vals or after a set time duration. They can also, in effect, change the
geography of the battlespace, by making certain areas impassable 10. "Vhat secret German mine WJS captured early in \Vorld \-Var II.
enabling the British to develop countermeasures against this
to ships. An area that has been declared dangerous because of the
major German weapon?
use of mines is usually treated with great respect and avoided as
though it were land. 11. \Vhere were Japanese defensive mining operations conducted
An effective mine blockade may aid significantly in gain- in the Pacific during \,Vorld \'Var II?
ing a victory over an enemy country. Such a blockade can destroy 12. \-Vhat are the mcljor methods by which mines can be planted?
the enemy's econolllY. cause food shortages, enable conservation 13. A. How are moored mines kept at predetermined depths so
of friendly attacking forces, psychologically destroy the enemy they may be used against either smtlll craft or major vessels?
morale and will to resist, and prevent sortie of enemy forces from
13. \Vhat is their main disadvantage?
their h<lrbors.
14. A. \'Vhy was the bottol11 mine developed?
Other strategic advantages of mine warfare that might accrue
to a belligerent Llsing it effectively are: 13. \·Vhat are its major limittltiolls?
15. A. \-Vhat are the three basic types of influence mines?
Forcing the enem), to engage in mine countermeasures. tying
LIp personnel <lnd resources at little cost to the minelayer B. \Vhat is a fourth type that complicates sweeping?
Delay of shipping and disruption of cargo-handling t~lCilities 16. \Vhat .. we the two methods of treating a ship's steel hull to
at ports on both ends of a supply line, even if no ship is slink decrease magnetic effects that actuate magnetic mines?
17. \·\,hJt new type of platform was de\'eloped for minesweeping
Demoralization of both ship and shore crews taced with COIl-
operations in the 1970s?
fronting a minefield
18. \Vhat marine mammal is lIsed b)' the Navy to hunt lor mines?
Cost-effecti,'e potential physical, political, and psychologicill
damage to the enem),