The M1A1
Bangalore Torpedo, a Class V item was implemented in 1940’s. They were heavily used in
World War II and
Vietnam to clear
barbed wire obstacles, brush and most importantly to clear a path about 3 feet wide through anti-personnel mine fields. They were also used to take out about anything they needed, like
bunkers and
gun emplacements. This system is not terribly effective when used on modern
high tensile strength barbed wire.
Each section weighs around
thirteen pounds and each
Bangalore kit is made up of ten 5-foot extensions that could be connected for the desired length. Each section contains 9 pounds of
explosives, usually
C-4. Mostly carried by
engineer squads, they would connect the required amount of sections and push it through the
obstacle. They are portable enough to be used by a single
soldier, but are
cumbersome and heavy so it is usually quicker with 2. Regular infantry can also carry them. The ignition system consists of an electric or non-electric blasting cap for
detonation.
Training is done through
instruction manuals, video,
dry run, and live fire sessions.
Currently there are 2900 sets in
Continental United States ammunition depots and 28,600 worldwide.
If you would like to see these in use,
Saving Private Ryan has a good example in the
Omaha Beach sequence.
Resources:
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/bangalore.htm
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.