14 Nov 2022 Garand Picture of the Day

[fjruple]

In close air support, artillery, mortar, and naval gunfire support fires, it is the term included in the method of engagement segment of a call for the fire which indicates that friendly forces are within close proximity of the target, usually 600 meters however The close proximity distance can be determined by the weapon and munition fired.

Given the posture of the marines and the size of the detonation, it would appear to me that this is not air support, artillery, mortar, and naval gunfire support fires - more along the lines of a satchel charge type of detention. If they had called in some ordinance I would expect them to be on the ground before detonation

Mark--

Probably not a satchel charge, too low of a yield. Looks like a a block or two of TNT attached to a fragmentation grenade. These were often attached to the end of a long pole so the soldier/marine did not have to get too close to the opening where the enemy was hiding.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Mark in Rochester]

Mark--

Probably not a satchel charge, too low of a yield. Looks like a block or two of TNT attached to a fragmentation grenade. These were often attached to the end of a long pole so the soldier/marine did not have to get too close to the opening where the enemy was hiding.

While we can not be certain it can easily be as you stated. My original point was that it does not appear to be called in ordinance but rather a hand-delivered device.

In World War II, combat engineers used satchel charges to demolish heavy stationary targets such as rails, obstacles, blockhouses, bunkers, caves, and bridges. The World War II–era United States Army M37 Demolition Kit contained eight blocks of high explosive, with two priming assemblies, in a canvas bag with a shoulder strap. Part or all of this charge could be placed against a structure or slung into an opening. It was usually detonated with a pull igniter. When used as an anti-tank weapon, charges were sufficient to severely damage the tracks. 4 kg (8.8 lb) charges were enough to destroy medium tanks.

M37 Demolition Kit

The M37 Demolition Kit is a prepared satchel charge consisting of 8 pounds of TNT with a variety of detonators.

Along with the TNT itself, the M37 comes with a single blasting cap, a "clacker" handheld detonator, and a set of time pencils. There's one time pencil each for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 2 hours, 5 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours.