1971 US Army Vietnam War OPERATORS ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMTM 9-1330-200-11/OP 3833 1 st Rev. Vol 2, CH-2 TM 1330-12/1A CH25-1. Generala. Destruction of grenades subject to capture orabandonment will be undertaken by the using arm onlywhen, in the judgment of the unit commanderconcerned, such action is necessary in accordance withorders of, or policy established by, the Armycommander.b. The information which follows is for guidanceonly. The conditions under which destruction will beeffected are command decisions and may vary in eachcase, depending upon a number of factors, such as thetactical situation, security classification, the quantity andlocation of grenades; facilities for accomplishingdestruction, and time. In general, destruction ofgrenades can be accomplished most effectively byburning or detonation, or a combination of thesemethods. However, selection of the particular methodof destruction requires imagination and resourcefulnessin the utilization of the facilities at hand under theexisting conditions. Time is usually critical.c. If destruction to prevent enemy use is resortedto, grenades and their components must be so badlydamaged that they cannot be restored to a useablecondition in the combat zone. Equally important, thesame essential components of all grenades must bedestroyed so that the enemy cannot assemble completerounds from undamaged components of severaldamaged complete rounds.d. If destruction of grenades is directed, dueconsideration should be given to the following:(1) Selection of a site (for the destructionoperation) that will cause greatest obstruction to enemymovement and also prevent hazard to friendly troopsfrom fragments incidental to the destruction.(2) Observance of appropriate safetyprecautions.5-2. MethodsGrenades can be most quickly destroyed by burning ordetonation. The following methods, in order ofpreference, are considered the most satisfactory fordestruction of grenades to prevent enemy use:a. Method No. 1-by Detonation.CHAPTER 5DESTRUCTION OF GRENADES TO PREVENT ENEMY USE(1) General. Packed and unpacked HEgrenades, fuzes, and accessories may be destroyed byplacing them in piles and detonating them withdemolition charges, using 1-pound TNT blocks orequivalent, together with the necessary detonating cordto make up each charge.(2) Method of destruction.NOTEOne hundred pounds of packed HEgrenades require a 2-pounddemolition charge to assurecomplete detonation of the pile. Forunpacked HE grenades, a 1-pounddemolition charge is sufficient.(a) Prepare the demolition charge(using the required TNT blocks together with thenecessary detonating cord per charge) and place thecharges, as necessary, on the pile to be detonated.(b) Provide for dual priming tominimize the possibility of a misfire. For priming, eithera nonelectric blasting cap crimped to at least 5 feet oftime blasting fuse or an electric blasting cap and firingwire may be used. Time blasting fuse, which containsblack powder, and blasting cap must be protected frommoisture at all times.WARNINGEach roll of fuse must be testedshortly before use. The burning rateof safety fuses varies under differentatmospheric and/or climaticconditions; from a burning time of 30seconds or less per foot to 45seconds or more per foot.Time blasting fuse may be ignited by a blasting fuseigniter or an ordinary match; the electric blasting caprequires a blasting machine or equivalent source ofelectricity.WARNINGBlasting caps, detonating cord, andtime5-1