A satchel charge is a powerful, man-portable explosive device used by infantry and airborne forces. In World War II, combat engineers used satchel charges to demolish heavy stationary targets such as rail, obstacles, blockhouses, bunkers, caves, and bridges. The WWII-era U.S. Army 'Kit, Demolition, M37' contained 8 blocks of high explosive, with 2 priming assemblies, in a canvas bag with a shoulder strap (a satchel). 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. As an anti-tank weapon, one to two kg charges were sufficient to severely damage the tracks. Four kg charges were enough to destroy medium tanks. The later U.S. 'Charge Assembly, Demolition, M183' contained 10 pounds of C-4 plastic explosive in each satchel and could be used with a timed fuse. In the Second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq, U.S. M2 20 pound assault demolitions were used to collapse houses being used as fighting positions by insurgents, instead of infantrymen clearing the houses room by room. Special forces use customized satchel charges that are designed to destroy their mission's objective.
