We are indebted to General Westmoreland. General Abrams and many other distinguished and extinguished personnel of the United States Armed Forces and the New Zealand Armed Forces for the information contained in this feature. Understanding, as we do, that many useful and peaceful applications of technology have been developed, and sometimes originated by the armed forces, we present this information to students as part of their general educational experience. It is, of course, neither practicable nor sensible that one should have any more than an esoteric and purely theoretical understanding of these aspects of military science. It is supposed that some reading in the martial arts will broaden the students' understanding of the duties, responsibilities and difficulties that the military experience as almost uniquely their own problem. Hopefully students may perhaps then become a little more tolerant of the armed forces and understand the reasons for their existance, even if remaining reluctant to concede them a status better than a "necessary evil".

Planning Considerations

When planning and preparing for commitment into operational areas to support an Indigenous force in unconventional warfare, the Special Forces combat engineer specialist will conduct extensive training in the use of conventional and expedient demolitions. The primary consideration here is in the preparation and combat employment of a trained guerrilla force against an enemy. The engineer specialist will develop tactics in the use of destructive techniques in the interdiction of highways, railroads, bridges and other lines of communications. He will be prepared to train and assist selected auxiliary and underground elements in the construction and use of sabotage devices and other techniques designed to harass the enemy and cause him to divert his fighting force, as well as destroy his will to fight. In planning unconventional warfare operations, the detachment commander and his engineer specialist must consider the preparation of defensive positions, the construction of obstacles and booby traps, and the use of antipersonnel and vehicular mines. The construction of small shelters for medical facilities and storage facilities for equipment and material may have priority in some areas. Climatic conditions will dictate the need for construction of living shelters and other facilities as well as field fortifications to protect outposts and defensive positions.

Figure 1. Saddle charge on a steel shaft.

Note: Charge Placed Against Shaft and Formed as Shown.

Figure 2. Diamond charge.

Destructive Techniques

Generally, the destructive techniques discussed here are applicable to unconventional warfare. In a counterinsurgency environment where Special Forces detachments are advising paramilitary and local indigenous forces in construction projects and establishment of defensive positions, the use of conventional demolitions may be employed and may be the only requirement for effective road building, land clearing, airlanding construction and obstacle removal projects. Logistical procedures normally permit the extensive resupply and use of conventional demolitions. However, when committed into an operational environment both unconventional warfare and counterinsurgency operations involving training and directing indigenous forces in combat operations. Special Forces personnel will find that the lack of logistical support air delivery capability, and mobility may require using demolitions on a limited scale. The amount of demolitions that may be carried for operational use will result in Special Forces personnel improvising destructive charges and employing them to gel maximum results from a minimum amount of material.

Advanced Charges

These charges normally are fabricated from plastic explosives using principles of explosive force and direction to destroy or immobilize select targets.

Saddle Charge (fig 1)

General. The saddle charge is used for cutting steel bars and shafts 5.08 — 20.32 cm in diameter. Turbine and propeller shafts, if motionless, are examples of targets on which saddle charges can be used. The saddle charge achieves results by employing what is known as the "cross fracture." The fracture forms below the base of this triangular shaped charge, cutting the steel target.

Preparation. The saddle charge is shaped to form an Isosceles triangle. The short axis (base) is one-half the circumference of the target. The long axis is twice the length on the base. The depth or thickness of the sliced plastic explosive is one-third a block of C4 for targets 1 5 centimeters and less in diameter; one-half a block of C4 if more than 15 centimeters and less than 20 centimeters for the hardest steel. Thicknesses less than 2.54 centimeters may be used for milder steels. The charge is primed at the apex of the triangle. To protect the charge en route to the target, wrap it in a thin layer of paper, tinfoil or parachute cloth; insure that no more than one layer of material is between charge and target.

Diamond Charge (fig 2)

General. The diamond charge is used for targets similar to those for which the saddle charge is used but requires access to the complete shaft. When detonated, the shock waves, meeting in the center of the charge, are deflected at right angles cutting down into the target.

Preparation. The long axis of the diamond-shaped charge must be equal to the circumference of the target. Use sufficient explosive to be sure that both ends of the long axis touch. The short axis of the diamond charge is equal to one-hair the long axis. The depth or thickness of the diamond is always one-third block of C4 or 1.67 centimeters to cut a target composed of 2 centimeters of high carbon steel. However, the explosive need only be one-half centimeter for targets of mild steel. Protection of charges is the same as that noted above for saddle charges. Simultaneous detonation is mandatory. Equal lengths of detonating cord may be used with non-electric blasting caps crimped to the ends or electric blasting caps fired simultaneously.

Counter Force

General. This charge will effectively breach dense concrete and occasionally certain timber targets up to 1.22 meters in thickness. Excellent results will be obtained with relatively small amounts of explosive when properly constructed, placed, and activated. The simultaneous activation of two diametrically opposed charges on the target causes the shock waves to meet at the target center. The resultant pressure causes internal damage.

Pruning, Simultaneous detonation of both charges is mandatory. The most common procedure is to crimp non-electric blasting caps to equal lengths of detonating cord; prime at the center rear of the charge; join the two free ends together at a point 15.24 centimeters from the end and tightly tape the blasting cap of the firing system to the parallel detonating cords.

Platter Charge (fig. 5)

General. The platter charge is most effective against POL storage containers, transformers, and similar thin-skin targets that are usually made inaccessible by fencing. The size of the charge is governed by the weight of the platter. The configuration of the platter may be any shape; but, concave shape raises the temperature of the platter during flight, thereby assisting in igniting the POL upon hitting the target. The explosive, upon detonation, projects the platter through the air and into the target. If a chain-link (cyclone) fence is between the charge and the target, the fence will be penetrated and the platter will continue to the target.

Figure 3. Opposed charges suspended by rope.

Figure 4. Opposed charge placed on bridge pier.

Figure 5. Plotter charge.

Figure 6. Ribbon charge.

Figure 7. Improvised shaped charge.

Preparation of charge. A container of any kind with a diameter of the platter may be used. Both ends of the container should be removed. Position the platter at one end of the container with the concave side facing out. A platter of any material other than metal will result in a greatly reduced range. Steel provides the beat result with effective ranges of more than 40 meters. The amount of explosive required to propel the platter should equal the weight of the platter. The explosive is then packed firmly in the container. When no container is available, the explosive may be taped to the platter and hung by coat hangers on fence.

Placement of charge. The platter container is positioned on Us side with the concave face of the platter directed toward the target. The maximum, effective range is dependent upon the size of the target, and may extend to 40 meters or more.

Priming, Prime the charge exactly in the rear center. Exact rear-center detonation of the charge is essential for uniform distribution of shock waves and proper propulsion.

Ribbon Charge (fig- 6). This charge. If properly calculated and placed, cuts mild steel up to 5 centimeters in thickness with considerably less explosive than formula computed (P 3/8A) charges. It is effective on non-circular steel targets up to 5 centimeters. It can be shaped for use against 1- and T- beams. On the corners and ends where the detonators ore placed, it may be necessary to "build up" this area with additional explosives since the charge will be less than 1.27 centimeters thick.

Improvised Charges

These are charges normally made from standard explosive materials such as plastics explosives, but using improvised casings and firing devices and attaching additional metal for a more destructive effect.

Shaped Charge

General, A shaped charge is designed to concentrate the energy of the explosion on a small area to make a tubular or linear fracture in the material on which it is placed. The versatility and simplicity of shaped charges makes them an effective weapon, especially against armor plate and concrete. Shaped charges are easily improvised.

Grenades (fig. 8). A simple grenade can be constructed by the use of a 0.225-gram block of explosive, scrap metal, time fuse, and non-electric cap. The time fuse is used as the delay element. Bolts, nuts, nails, or other pieces of metal are secured to the grenade for fragmentation effect. A small metal pipe may also be used as the grenade jacket. The grenade is detonated by a nonelectric blasting cap crimped to a short piece of time fuse, Insert the blasting cap into the explosive and tie or tape it firmly in place. Small V-notches are cut Into the fuse. As the time fuse burns, a spurt of flame appears at the V-notches. After the flame appears at the last V-notch, the grenade is thrown. If desired, only one V-notch (closest to the cap end) may be used- The V-notches should be taped to keep out moisture.

Dust Initiator (fig. 9). The dust initiator is used to destroy buildings and certain storage facilities. The basic purpose of this device is to achieve two distinct but rapidly successive explosions. This is accomplished by constructing a main charge composed of equal amounts of powedered TNT (obtained by crushing TNT in a canvas bag) and magnesium powder and inclosing it in a cover charge of a scattering agent of any carbonaceous material which can be reduced to dust vapor. Examples are cornstarch, flour, coal dust, or gasoline (when using gasoline, never use more than 11.4 liters.) Thermite may be substituted for magnesium in the mixture. From 1.36 to 2.67 kilograms of surround should be provided for each 28.32 cubic meters of targets The 0.45 kilograms (0.225 Kilograms TNT and 0.225 kilograms magnesium powder) charge will effectively disperse and detonate up to 18.14 kilograms of carbonaceous material. Upon activation, the main charge detonation distributes the cover charge material, which is initiated by the action of the incendiary explosion. This causes the entire atmosphere to be saturated with burning materials. The destructive effect of this device is increased by closing all windows and doors in the target building. This charge may be detonated elcctrically or non-electrically.

d. Use of Explosives in an Ambush (figs. 10 and 11)

Figure 8. Improvised grenade.

Figure 9. Dust initiator.

Figure 10. Hasty ambush.

Figure 11. Types of fougasses.