A trip flare is used primarily to illuminate and to give warning of attacking or infiltrating enemy troops. Normally, it is placed in the path of, and activated by, an advancing enemy. Trip flares are usually available to an individual or small unit and can provide temporary close-in illumination. Trip flares are not suitable for producing continuous illumination and have little, if any, application in other than defensive operations. The M49 trip flare resembles a hand grenade in size and shape, except that it is provided with a bracket for attachment to a tree or post and a trigger mechanism for firing. The flare burns with a yellowish light and illuminates an area radius of approximately 300 meters. The trip fuze M12 resembles the hand grenade fuzes for cylindrical hand grenades, but it has no body tube or delay charge.

The flare has a laminated paper body, containing an 1 1-ounce flare charge and is closed at both ends by metal caps. The upper cap has taped holes and a threaded central hole for the trip fuze M12. The mounting bracket and trigger mechanism are attached to the base cap. The bracket consists of a triangular anchor clip with one hole at its lowest end, for insertion of a nail, and two square holes to permit engagement with tabs of the mounting plate, which also has two holes for insertion of nails. The trigger mechanism consists of a spring-loaded trigger. One end of the trigger has the spring assembly anchored thereto and has a hole for insertion of the trip wire. The other end of the trigger has a narrow tongue used to hold the safety lever in place when the trigger is turned in the vertical position. The spring is wound around the trigger pivot.

The location chosen for the flare should be to the right (looking toward the enemy) of the field to be illuminated, so the trip wire, when attached, runs to the right of the flare when facing the trigger. Using two of the nails supplied, nail the holder plate with ends of the two tabs upward to a stake, post, or suitable support at the height desired for the trip wire (usually 15 to 18 inches above the ground). Mount the flare by sliding the two square holes of the anchor clip over the mating tabs on the holder and press the flare down until it is locked in position. If desired, a third nail maybe driven through the hole in the lower end of the anchor clip.

Fasten one end of the trip wire to the post, stake, or other rigid object at the desired distance from the flare (usually about 40 feet) and at the right of the flare when facing the flare trigger.

Press the fuze safety lever down with one hand and rotate the trigger one-quarter turn counterclockwise against the spring pressure with the other hand to the vertical position, so the lower end of the safety lever is behind the upper end of the trigger.

Pull the loose end of the trip wire taut and fasten it to the hole in the lower end of the trigger.

At this point, check to see that the trip wire is taut and fastened at both ends, and the trigger is vertical with the fuze safety lever behind the upper end of the trigger so when the pull ring and safety pin are withdrawn, the safety lever is still held by the trigger.

Hold the lever with one hand while carefully withdrawing the pull ring and safety pin from the flare fire.

Carefully release the hold on the safety lever, while making sure the lever is held in place by the upper end of the trigger.

To remove a trip flare, carefully depress the safety lever to align the holes in the lever and the fuze and insert the safety pin. Detach the trip wire from the trigger while holding the safety lever against the flare and rotate the trigger to its original position. Remove the nails from the holding plate and the anchor clip. Return the flare to its original position and packing.

BOOBY TRAPS

A booby trap can be an explosive charge, a nonexplosive device, or other material. Its intended use is to incapacitate, wound, or kill an unsuspecting person when he disturbs an apparently harmless object or performs a presumably safe act. Two types are in use: improvised and manufactured. Improvised booby traps are constructed from standard firing devices, explosives, weapons, missiles, or other materials generally used for other purposes. They are placed wherever enemy troops are likely to assemble or pass, such as in buildings, shelters, minefields, fords, around obstacles, and along paths, roads, and bridges.

Improvised booby traps are often attached to some object that can be used or that has souvenir appeal. Manufactured booby traps are standard devices made at a factory. They are useful objects, such as pipes, books, or bottled drinks, that explode when picked up or used. When left scattered about by a retreating force, they inflict casualties and cause confusion among advancing enemy troops.