Lessons from the Past: The Rapid Clearance of Denmarks Minefields in 1945

Abstract

The clearance of the vast majority of Denmarks minefields during 1945 was remarkable. In just under five months, a force ranging between 750 and 2,600 German prisoners of war (POW) under the supervision of 250-350 Danish officers and noncommissioned officers cleared 1,389,281 mines from an area of 1,103.2 sq km (425.9 sq mi).1 Such speed of clearance stands in stark contrast with much of modern humanitarian mine action since the 1990s. This article will explain how such speed was possible and why it could not reasonably be repeated today. The article will also identify a number of important lessons that remain to be learned.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2018
Accession Number
AD1057620

Entities

People

  • Roly Evans

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Personnel Mines
  • Anti-Tank Mines
  • Armored Vehicles
  • Casualties
  • Cluster Munitions
  • Detection
  • Enemy Personnel
  • Land Mines
  • Minefields
  • Mines (Ordnance)
  • Munitions
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Personnel Management
  • Prisoners
  • Prisoners Of War
  • Protective Equipment
  • Weapons

Readers

  • European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.