Boobytraps; Department of the Army Field Manual, FM 5-31

United States, Department of the Army

Published by United States, Department of the Army, Washington DC, 1965

About this Item

Format is approximately 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches. NOTE: This issuance is in a slightly smaller format than other copies observed. It lacks the distribution page (number 133) which also contains the U.S. Government Printing Office statement.) Contains the designation TAGO 5732-B. 132, [4] pages. Illustrations. References. This manual supersedes FM 5-31, 31 January 1956, including C 1, 16 December 1957, and C 2, 28 August 1959. Cover has some wear and soiling, This reflects the state of the art, the state of knowledge, and the state of practice during a period of increasing U.S. operations during the Vietnam War. Boobytraps FM 5-31 Field Manual. Topics covered include introduction and principles of boobytraps, basic doctrine, planning and installation, equipment firing devices, demolition materials including small missile construction techniques, miscellaneous boobytraps from improvised materials. Also chapter on detecting and removing boobytraps, clearing and disarming methods. A booby trap is a device or setup that is intended to kill, harm, or surprise a person or animal, unknowingly triggered by the presence or actions of the victim. As the word trap implies, they sometimes have some form of bait designed to lure the victim towards it. At other times, the trap is set to act upon trespassers that violate personal or restricted areas. The device can be triggered when the victim performs some type of everyday action, e.g., opening a door, picking something up, or switching something on. They can also be triggered by vehicles driving along a road, as in the case of victim-operated improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Booby traps should not be confused with mantraps which are designed to catch a person. Lethal booby traps are often used in warfare, particularly guerrilla warfare, and traps designed to cause injury or pain are also sometimes used by criminals wanting to protect drugs or other illicit property, and by some owners of legal property who wish to protect it from theft.

Seller Inventory # 77206

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Boobytraps; Department of the Army Field Manual, FM 5-31
• Publisher: United States, Department of the Army, Washington DC
• Publication Date: 1965
• Binding: Wraps
• Edition: Presumed First printing thus.
• Condition: Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Military Manuals