TM 55-4920-213-15
Section Ill. DEMOLITION TO PREVENT ENEMY USE
vents destruction of all parts, priority is given
60. General
to the destruction of those parts most difficult
a. Destruction of the shop set, when subject
to replace. Equally important, the same essen-
to capture or abandonment in a combat zone,
tial parts must be destroyed on all like materi-
will be undertaken by the operator only when,
al so that the enemy cannot construct one com-
in the judgment of the unit commander con-
plete unit from several damaged ones.
cerned, such action is necessary in accordance
e. If destruction is directed, due considera-
with orders of, or policy established by, the
tion should be given to (1) and (2) below.
Army commander.
(1) Selection of a point of destruction
b. The information which follows is for
that will cause greatest obstruction to
guidance only. Certain of the procedures out-
enemy movement and also prevent
lined require the use of explosives and in-
hazard to friendly troops from frag-
cendiary grenades which normally may not be
ments or ricocheting projectiles
authorized items for the using organization.
which may occur incidental to the
The issue of these and related materials, and
destruction.
the condition under which destruction will be
(2) Observance of appropriate safety pre-
effected, are command decisions in each case,
cautions.
according. to the tactical situation. Of the sev-
eral means of destruction, those most generally
61. Destruction by Burning
applicable are:
a. Remove and empty portable fire extin-
(1) Mechanical. Requires ax, pick mat-
guishers.
tock, crowbar, or similar implement.
b. Using an axe, pick mattock sledge, or
(2) Burning. Requires gasoline, oil, in-
other heavy implement, smash all vital ele-
cendiary grenades, or other flam-
ments.
mables.
c. Puncture fuel tanks as near the bottom as
(3) Destruction by use of explosives. Re-
possible collecting gasoline for use as outlined
quires suitable explosives or ammuni-
in d below.
tion.
d. Pour gasoline and oil in and over the en-
(4) Gunfire. Includes artillery, machine
tire equipment; ignite by using a gasoline
guns, rifles using rifles grenades, and
soaked rope for a fuse. If gaoline and oil are
launchers using antitank-rockets." Un-
not available, use incendiary grenades. Take
der some circumstances, "hand gre-
cover.
nades may be used.
Warning: Due consideration should be given
to the highly flammable nature of gasoline and
c. In general, destruction of essential parts,
its vapor. Carelessness in its use may result in
followed by burning will usually be sufficient
painful burns.
to render the shop set useless. However, selec-
tion of the particular method of destruction re-
62. Destruction by Use of Explosives
a. Remove and empty portable fire extin-
quires imagination and resourcefulness in the
guishers.
utilization of the facilities at hand under the
b. Prepare 4 charges (1 charge = 2 ea. 1 lb.
existing conditions. Time is usually critical.
blocks) of EXPLOSIVE, TNT. Place charges
d. If destruction to prevent enemy use is re-
as in (l), (2), (3), and (4) below.
sorted to, the shop set must be so badly dam-
(1) Place 1 charge of explosive on the
aged that it cannot be restored to a usable con-
front of the shop on the platform be-
dition in the combat zone either by repair or
cannibalization. Adequate destruction requires
tween the generator and the storage
that all parts essential to the operation of the
compartment.
(2) Place 1 charge of explosive between
material, including essential spare parts, be
the axles of the shop, at the approxi-
destroyed or damaged beyond repair. How-
ever, when lack of time and personnel pre-
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