TM 55-4920-215-15
Section III. DEMOLITION TO PREVENT ENEMY USE
destruction of those parts most difficult to replace.
59. General
Equally important, the same essential parts must be
destroyed on all like material so that the enemy cannot
a. Destruction of the shop set, when subject to
construct one complete unit from several damaged
capture or abandonment in a combat zone, will be
ones.
undertaken by the operator only when in the judgment of
e. If destruction is directed, consideration should
the unit commander concerned, such action is
be given to (1) and (2) below.
necessary in accordance with orders of, or policy
(1) Selection of a point of destruction that will cause
established by the Army commander.
greatest obstruction to enemy movement and
b. The information which follows is for guidance
also prevent hazard to friendly troops from
only. Certain of the procedures outlined require the use
fragments or ricocheting projectiles which may
of explosives and incendiary grenades which normally
occur incidental to the destruction.
may not be authorized items for the using organization.
(2) Observance of appropriate safety pre.
The issue of these and related materials, and the
cautions.
condition under which destruction will be effected, are
command decisions in each case, according to the
60. Destruction by Burning
tactical situation. Of the several means of destruction,
those most generally applicable are:
(1) Mechanical.
Requires ax, pick mattock,
a. Remove and empty portable fire extinguishers.
crowbar, similar implement.
b. Using an ax, pick mattock, sledge, or heavy
(2) Burning.
Requires gasoline, oil, incendiary
implement, smash all vital elements.
grenades, or other flammables.
c. Puncture fuel tanks as near the bottom as
(3) Explosive.
Requires suitable explosives or
possible collecting gasoline for use as outlined in d
below.
(4) Gunfire. Includes artillery, machine guns, rifles
d. Pour gasoline and oil in and over the entire
using rifle grenades, and launchers using
equipment; ignite by using a gasoline soaked rope for a
antitank rockets. Under some circumstances,
fuse.
If gasoline and oil are not available, use
hand grenades may be used.
incendiary grenades.
c. In general, destruction of essential parts
Take cover.
followed by burning will be sufficient to render the shop
set useless.
However, selection of the particular
Warning
method of destruction requires imagination and
Due consideration should be given to the highly
resourcefulness in the utilization of the facilities at hand
flammable nature of gasoline and its vapor.
under the existing conditions. Time is usually critical.
Carelessness in its use may result in painful burns.
d. If destruction to prevent enemy use is resorted
to, the shop set must be so badly damaged that it
61. Destruction by Use of Explosives
cannot be restored to a usable condition in the combat
zone either by repair or cannibalization. Adequate
a. Remove and empty portable fire extinguishers.
destruction requires that all parts essential to the
operation of the material, including essential spare
blocks) of EXPLOSIVE, TNT. Place charges as
parts, be destroyed or damaged beyond repair.
in (1), (2), (3), and (4) below.
However, when lack of time and personnel prevents
(1) Place 1 charge of explosive on the front of the
destruction of all parts, priority is given to the
shop on the platform between the generator and
the storage compartment.
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