Mine, Antipersonnel, M3Demolitions Material
LAND MINES
Section IV
ANTIPERSONNEL MINES

19. TORPEDO, BANGALORE, M1A1.

a. Description.

(1) The bangalore torpedo (fig. 15) is a tube or pipe filled with high explosive, primarily used of blasting an opening through wire entanglements of for clearing mine fields. The TORPEDO, bangalore, M1A1, consists of a steel tube 5 feet in length and 2 1/8 inches in diameter which is grooved and capped at each end. The tube is filled with amatol, with about 4 inches of TNT at each. The weight of explosive charge is about 9 pounds. Each end of the tube is capped and contains a recess or well to accommodate a detonator or blasting cap attached to any of the standard firing devices described in section V. A nose sleeve which fits on the end of the torpedo, and connecting sleeves for assembling the torpedo in multiple lengths, are provided. The torpedos and accessories are painted lusterless olive-drab.

(2) In addition to clearing wire entanglements and mine fields, this torpedo may also be used an an antitank mine or antipersonnel mine. Because of its high percentage of explo-sive charge, it may also be used for demolition purposes.

b. Components and Accessories. The following parts are used for detonating the torpedos or placing them in multiple assembly.

(1) DETONATOR.

(a) Electric or nonelectric blasting cap may be used to detonate the torpedo. If com-mercial blasting cap are used, a combination (tetryl) detonator, equivalent to a No. 8, or stronger, blasting cap should be used.

(b) Primacord may be used by inserting primacord in the well and wedging it in place.

(2) NOSE SLEEVE. This is a rounded point which fits over the end of a torpedo (fig. 15). It contains a single clip which holds it in place. The nose sleeve is provided for ease in pushing the torpedo through obstacles such as heavy brush or barbed wire. It is not nescessary for the proper functioning of the torpedo.

(3) CONNECTING SLEEVE. The connecting sleeve (fig. 15) is a short tube into which the ends of two torpedos tubes will fit and be held by three spring clips. It is used when as-sembling the torpedos in multiple lenghts.

c. Assembly. The sleeves and torpedo are alined and forced together until the spring clips on the sleeve snap into the groove on the end of the torpedo.

(1) ASSEMBLY IN MULTIPLE LENGTHS. To assemble in multiple lengths, fit a nose sleeve over the leading end of the torpedo. Then fit a connecting sleeve on the other end and fit another torpdeo into the sleeve. Add additional sleeves and torpedos until the desired lenght is obtained. One detonator in the cap well at the end will detonate the entire line of torpedo.

d. Packing. TORPEDO, bangalore, M1A1, is packed 10 in a box, which also contains 10 connecting sleeves, and 1 nose sleeve (par. 8).

Figure 15 - TORPEDO, Bangalore, M1

Mine, Antipersonnel, M3Demolitions Material