TM 55-4920-217-15
individual items of equipment provide the operator with
storage of the equipment.
the necessary information required to accomplish limited
Section III. DEMOLITION TO PREVENT ENEMY USE
of the material, including essential repair parts,. be
58. General
destroyed or damaged beyond repair. However, when
a. Destruction of the shop set, when subject to
lack of time and personnel prevents destruction of all
capture or abandonment in a combat zone, will be
parts, priority is given to the destruction of those parts
undertaken by the operator only when, in the judgment of
most difficult to replace. Equally important, the same
the unit commander concerned, such action is necessary
essential parts must be destroyed on all like material so
in accordance with orders of, or policy established by, the
that the enemy cannot construct one complete unit from
Army commander.
several damaged ones.
b. The information which follows is for guidance
e. If destruction is directed, due consideration
only. Certain of the procedures outlined require the use of
should be given to (1) and (2) below.
explosives and incendiary grenades which normally may
(1) Selection of a point of destruction that will
not be authorized items for the using organization. The
cause greatest obstruction to enemy
issue of these and related materials, and the condition
movement and also prevent hazards to friendly
under which destruction will be effected, are command
troops from fragments or ricocheting
decisions in each case, according to the tactical situation.
projectiles which may occur incidental to the
Of the several means of destruction, those most generally
destruction.
applicable are:
(2) Observance of appropriate safety precautions.
(1) Mechanical.
Requires ax, pick mattock,
crowbar, or similar implement.
59. Destruction by Burning
(2) Burning. Requires gasoline, oil, incendiary
a. Remove and empty portable fire extinguishers.
grenades, or other flammables.
b. Using an ax, pick mattock, sledge, or other
heavy implement, smash all vital elements.
suitable explosives or ammunition.
c. Puncture fuel tanks as near the bottom as
(4) Gunfire. Includes artillery, machine guns,
possible collecting gasoline for use as outlined in d
rifles using rifle grenades, and launchers using
below.
antitank rockets. Under some circumstances,
d. Pour gasoline and oil in and over the entire
hand grenades may be used.
c. In general, destruction of essential parts,
equipment; ignite by using a gasoline soaked rope for a
fuse. If gasoline and oil are not available, use incendiary
followed by burning will usually be sufficient to render the
grenades. Take cover.
shop set useless. However, selection of the particular
method of destruction requires imagination and
Warning: Due consideration should be
resourcefulness in the utilization of the facilities at hand
under the existing conditions. Time is usually critical.
given to the highly flammable nature of
d. If destruction to prevent enemy, use is resorted
gasoline and its vapor. Carelessness in its
to, the shop set must be so badly damaged that it cannot
use may result in painful burns.
be restored to a useable condition in the combat zone
either by repair or cannibalization. Adequate destruction
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