Reviewed by Doc Snafu on July 31, 2025.
Document Source: War Department, War General Staff, Organization and Training Division G-3, Washington DC. Subject: Manual on Weapons for Jungle Warfare. The enclosed manual which was prepared due to a special mission by Gen W. A. Borden should be of general interest. Special Equipment developed for the US Corps of Engineers. (Transcribed and Illustrated by Doc Snafu)
DEMOLITION SET NO. 5 INDIVIDUAL
This demolition set is to be used as a hand-placed charge in the assault of a fortified position by parachutists or jungle troops. The set may be attached to a parachute harness or slung over the shoulders. It has been standardized for Infantry, Engineers, and Cavalry.
The set consists of two bags, each 12 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 5 inches deep. The weights of each bag when loaded as indicated are given herewith:
The cloth material of the bags is rot-proof, moisture-proof, and fire-proof. Each bag contains sufficient demolition material to provide for the necessary priming, fuzing, and lighting of the charges. The fuze lighters are packed five to a waterproof paper envelope. Tetrytol and Plastic explosives are more powerful than TNT and should be preferred for use.
| LOAD | EXPLOSIVE BLOCKS | TOTAL WEIGHT | Tetrytol | 4 | 10.5 lbs | Tetrytol | 8 | 21 lbs | TNT | 24 | 12 lbs | Plastic Explosive M-3 | 4 | 9 lbs | Plastic Explosive M-3 | 8 | 18 lbs |
CONTENTS OF DEMOLITION EQUIPMENT SET NO. 5 INDIVIDUAL
Bag, Canvas, Water repellant and fireproof, carrying, demolition equipment
– – Quantity: 2; Weight: 2 lbs; Unit Weight: 12 ozs
Box, cap, 6-cap. capacity
– – Quantity: 2; Weight: x lbs; Unit Weight: 3 ozs
Blocks, demolition, M-3 (composition C2)
– – Quantity: 8 blocks; Weight: 18 lbs; Unit Weight: x ozs
Cap, blasting, special, non-electric
– – Quantity: 12; Weight: x lbs; Unit Weight: 1 oz
Cord, detonating, primer-cord, 50′ spool
– – Quantity: 2 spools; Weight: x lbs; Unit Weight: 10 ozs
Crimper, Cap, with fuze cutter
– – Quantity: 2; Weight: x lbs; Unit Weight: 2 ozs
Envelope, fuze lighter, waterproof
– – Quantity: 2; Weight: x lbs; Unit Weight: 1 oz
Firing Device M-1A1. Pressure type
– – Quantity: 2; Weight: x lbs; Unit Weight: 11 ozs
Firing Device M-1, pull type
– – Quantity: 2; Weight: x lbs; Unit Weight: 6 ozs
Fuse, blasting time
– – Quantity: 30 feet; Weight: x lbs; Unit Weight: 7 ozs
Lighter, fuse
– – Quantity: 10; Weight: x lbs; Unit Weight: 2 ozs
Tape, friction, general use, grade A, 3/4″ wide, 1/2 lb. roll
– – Quantity: 2 rolls; Weight: 1 lbs; Unit Weight: x oz
(Total weight: 25 lbs)
DETONATOR DELAY 15 SECOND
When assault demolition charges are fired by means of a piece fuse, a fuse lighter, and a non-electric cap, the charge may fail to detonate due to the fuse lighter being pulled away or becoming wet. The interval of delay between the lighting of the fuse and the demolition cap is determined by the length to which the fuse is cut. Correction of these deficiencies is accomplished by means of a Delay Detonator which is water resistant and will fire successfully when submerged to a depth of several feet. The Delay Detonator consists of an assembly of a pull-type fuse lighter, a short fuse delay, and a blasting cap. The 15-second Delay Detonator is 11/16″ in diameter and 6 3/8″ long including the cap detector. It weighs two ounces. On the fuse, the lighter end of the Detonator is a 3/4 inch diameter ring passing through the loop in the fuse lighter pull vire. Also passing safety. The fuse through this loop is a cotton pin that acts as a lighter function when a wire coated with sticker compound passes through a capsule filled with flash compound. The fuse lighter ignites a short fuse train which in turn fires a blasting cap protruding from the case. To protect the device in transit a Cap Protector or guard 2 7/16″ long fits over the blasting cap.
The end of the Delay Detonator will screw into the threaded cap walls on the Bangalore Torpedo, the Shaped Charge M-2A1 and T3, the Demolition, Block M-2, and the one-pound TNT block. It can be attached to explosives not fitted with a threaded detonator hole by using friction tape or twine. The detonator hole in the M-3 antipersonnel mine is too small in diameter to permit inserting the Delay Detonator. The following table indicates the approximate delay time which can be anticipated with the Delay Detonator, 15 Seconds, at the temperatures given.
| Temperature F & D | Delay Time (seconds) |
| 120 F – 48.8 C | 14 to 16 |
| 70 F – 21.1 C | 15 to 17 |
| 0 F – -17.7 C | 16.5 to 18.5 |
| -40 F – -56 C | 17.5 to 19.5 |
DEMOLITION EQUIPMENT SET No 7 ELECTRICAL
Demolition Equipment Set No. 7 is designed to provide demolition accessories for the electrical firing of explosives provided in Demolition Equipment Set No 5 Individual. The same carrying bag used for the Demolition Set No 5 is used for Set No. 7. Although the electrical set is issued without explosives as a supplement to the Demolition Equipment Set No. 5 Individual, there is sufficient extra space in the bag to pack twelve one-half pound blocks, the Demolition M-2 or M-3 (Composition C2), with the electrical equipment. The electrical equipment fits snugly into the chipboard box provided to prevent the articles from moving about in shipment.
CONTENTS OF DEMOLITION EQUIPMENT SET No 7 ELECTRICAL
Bag, canvas, water repellant, and fireproof carrying, demolition equipment
– – Quantity: 1; Weight: 1 lb; Weight (unit) 6 ozs
Box, fiber, solid, telescopic design, 12″ x 8″ x 3″
– – Quantity: 1; Weight: 1 lb; Weight (unit) 0 oz
Cap, blasting, special, electric
– – Quantity: 9; Weight x lb; Weight (unit) 13 ozs
Galvanometer, blasting, with leather case and carrying case
– – Quantity: 1; Weight: 1 lb; Weight (unit) 10 ozs
Machine, blasting, 10-cap capacity, with extra handle
– – Quantity: 1; Weight: 5 lbs; Weight (unit) x oz
Wire, firing, copper, 2-conductor, polyvinol chloride covered No 20 AWG 250′ spools
– – Quantity: 2 spools; Weight: 4 lbs; Weight (unit) 3 ozs
(Total Weight 14 lbs)
EXPLOSIVE SHAPED CHARGE T-3
The Explosive, Shaped Charge T-3 consists of a molded fiber or metal container, 9.5 inches in diameter and 12.5 inches in height, having a conical void in the base and a cone-shaped top. The standoff support consists of steel legs, 15 inches long, welded to a metal band which is fastened to the base of the charge by means of a wing nut. The shaped charge contains 26 pounds of cast 50-50 Pentolite explosive and the entire assembly weighs 35 pounds. A threaded firing device receptacle with a cap well is located at the top of the charge and covered with a strip of removable tape. The charge is normally insensitive to detonation by small arms fire but maybe occasionally set afire by .30 caliber ball or tracer ammunition.
1. The charge can be detonated with a 15-second delay detonator, a US Engineer Special Non-electric Blasting Cap, or a US Engineer Special Electric Blasting Cap. The tape is removed from the top of the charge and the detonating agent is inserted in the cap well. 2. The 15-second delay detonators and the standard-type firing devices are held firmly in place by means of the threaded female bushing at the top of the cap well. 3. The US Engineer Special Non-electric and Electric Blasting Caps may be held firmly in place by means of the Priming Adaptor M-1 or by inserting a wooden wedge.
The charge is most effective in penetrating structures when the base of the charge is placed 15 inches from the surface to be attacked. This proper standoff is established by the metal legs attached to the base of the charge. The charge was designed to drill holes in reinforced concrete in the attack of fortifications. It may also be used, however, to penetrate armor plates or log-constructed bunkers, and to fulfill any requirements for a powerful directional explosive effect. Bunkers made of logs or earth-filled drums may be attacked by firing the charge on the top or against the sides and front. The charge will completely penetrate 4 feet of earth and 4 layers of 12-inch diameter logs. Hot metal fragments will be projected into the closed emplacement and the emplacement will be filled with smoke and dust for approximately five minutes.
