Engineer soldier's handbook. Page: 79
iii, 163 p. : ill., diagrs. ; 17 cm.View a full description of this book.
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ENGINEER SOLDIER'S HANDBOOK
one for receiving the detonating cord, and the other the
special cap. If exposed to air, ammonium nitrate explosive
absorbs moisture rapidly; consequently, it must never be
removed from the container. It is used principally in making
crater obstacles for tanks and other motorized vehicles.
* 48. BANGALORE TORPEDO.---a. The bangalore torpedo is a
metal tube or pipe filled with explosives. Its primary uses
are to cut gaps in barbed wire obstacles and to cause detona-
tion of mines. The standard bangalore torpedo, about 2
inches in diameter, is issued in 5-foot watertight sections al-
ready filled with explosives. Sleeves are provided for con-
necting sections to extend torpedoes to any desired length.
By fastening the rounded nose on the forward end, you can
push the torpedo through a band of barbed wire without
getting it caught on the wires.
b. To explode the torpedo, an electric or nonelectric cap,
or primacord, is inserted in the cap well in the trailing end
of the torpedo. When several sections are joined to form
a long torpedo, it is necessary to place a cap only in the last
section, since detonation of one section will cause the whole
torpedo to explode. If standard-type torpedoes are not
available, you can make bangalore torpedoes by filling a pipe
(for example, a 2-inch water pipe or an old drain pipe) with
explosives; the ends are closed with wooden plugs, and one
end is primed by making a hole through one of the plugs;
a primer made with TNT block and primacord is placed
inside the torpedo and the primacord end is drawn through
the hole in the wooden block.
c. Remember that each 5-foot section of the bangalore
torpedo is loaded with about 10 pounds of high explosive,
and the same precautions in handling and firing must be
taken as when other military high explosives are used.
W 49. FIRING MATERIALS.----a. Caps (figs. 82 and 83).--Caps
are placed in charges to set them off. Standard commercial
caps will not detonate TNT or ammonium nitrate cratering
charge; therefore the army has adopted a special cap. Caps
are classified as electric or nonelectric, depending on whether
they are set off by electricity or fuze. Both types must be79
47-49
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United States. War Department. Engineer soldier's handbook., book, June 2, 1943; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc28313/m1/85/?rotate=90: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.