Mine shell
A mine shell (from German: Minengeschoss, lit. 'mine shot'), or high capacity high-explosive (HCHE) in British military nomenclature, is a military explosive shell type characterized by thin (usually steel) shell walls which allow a much higher explosive content than standard high-explosive shells of the same caliber, trading a higher pressure wave effect against high-explosive shells' larger fragmentation effect and better penetration of armoured targets. Mine shells were originally developed during the mid- to late 1800s against fortresses before the introduction of rebar; reinforced fortresses had made the original use of the type obsolete around World War I, but they were given a new role against aircraft during World War II. == Description == === Effect === The mine shell is a more explosive version of the common high-explosive and high-explosive fragmentation shells, relying on inflicting damage primarily through the blast (pressure wave) alone, rather than the higher fragmentation but less blast provided by standard high-explosive shells.