Stuff You Should Know Selects: Why Landmines Are The Deadliest Legacy Of War
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Oct 26, 2024 Discover the haunting legacy of landmines that linger long after wars end, posing severe threats to unsuspecting civilians, especially children. Learn about the historical context, including their origins in the American Civil War. Dive into the chilling mechanics of various mine types and the psychological impacts on affected communities. Innovative detection methods, from ground-penetrating radar to using trained animals, showcase the ongoing battle to clear these deadly remnants. The discussion also emphasizes global efforts to ban landmines and support survivors.
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Civil War Landmines
- Landmines, called torpedoes, originated during the American Civil War.
- Gabriel Rains, initially fighting for the Union, patented an early landmine and later used them against Union troops.
Early Landmine Tactics
- Early landmines were used in unconventional ways, such as booby-trapping flour sacks and wells.
- Even Confederate leaders initially questioned their use due to ethical concerns.
Civil War Landmine Legacy
- No soldier casualty figures exist for Civil War landmines, but 35 Union and 1 Confederate ship were sunk.
- These mines were discovered as late as the 1960s in Alabama.