March 15, 1944
Explosion at Camp Investigated
A Board of Inquiry was appointed yesterday to investigate causes of the
mine explosion at Camp Robinson Monday afternoon which resulted in the
death of 12 soldiers and injury to 14 others.
Names of two soldiers who died at the Station hospital Monday night were
announced by the camp public relations office yesterday. They were: T-5
Russell E. Volk of Gary, Indiana and Pfc. Earl R. Mildner of
Steubenville, Ohio.
The explosion in the 652nd Tank Destroyer Battalion training area a
short distance north of headquarters section, was of an anti-personnel
mine of a type commonly used in combat training. Lt. Col. Gerald D.
Albrecht, battalion commanding officer, said yesterday.The
anti-personnel mine is a steel cylinder about four inches long which,
when charged, contains both powder and metal pellets. Live mines
commonly are used in combat training. Colonel Albrecht said.
Soldiers are instructed in the laying of mines, detecting them, and the
methods of disarming them, to acquire knowledge that will aid them in
combat, he said. The accident occurred about 3:30 p.m. as the men were
participating in a demonstration. |
