U.S. Army Special Forces Guide to Unconventional Warfare Read Free

for all igniters listed in chapter 3 except: Potassium Permanganate —Glycerin (0206), Powdered Aluminum— Sulfur Pellets (0207), White Phosphorus (0209), and Subigniter For Thermite (0211).
Depending upon the length of the fuse, the user can be away from the immediate scene when an incendiary system is initiated.
    b. Material and Equipment .
    String, twine or shoelaces made of cotton or linen.
Potassium nitrate or potassium chlorate.
Granulated sugar.
Small cooking pot.
Spoon.
Heat source such as stove or hot plate.
Soap.
    c . Preparation .
Wash string or shoelaces in hot soapy water; rinse in fresh water.
Dissolve one part potassium nitrate or potassium chlorate and one part granulated sugar in two parts hot water.
Soak string or shoelaces in the hot solution for at least five minutes.
Remove the string from hot solution and twist or braid three strands of string together.
Hang the fuse up to dry.
Check actual burning rate of the fuse by measuring the time it takes for a known length to burn.
    d. Application.
This fuse does not have a waterproof coating and it must be tested by burning a measured length before actual use.
Cut the fuse long enough to allow a reasonable time delay in initiation of the incendiary system.
Insert one end of the fuse in a quantity of an igniter mixture so that the fuse end terminates near the center of the mixture. Be sure the fuse cord is anchored in the igniter mixture and cannot pull away. In the case of a solid igniter material such as Fire Fudge (0202), the improvised string fuse is securely wrapped around a piece of solid igniter material.
The fuse is initiated by lighting the free end of the fuse with a match.
This fuse does not burn when it is wet. Its use is not recommended where there is the possibility of the fuse getting wet.
    0103. CONCENTRATED SULFURIC ACID (OIL OF VITRIOL)
    a. Description.
This material is a heavy, corrosive, oily, and colorless liquid. Storage is recommended in a glass container with a glass lid or stopper. Commercially available sulfuric acid is approximately 93 percent concentration with a specific gravity of 1.835. This is commonly referred to as concentrated sulfuric acid.
Concentrated sulfuric acid chars wood, cotton, and vegetable fibers, usually without causing fire. The addition of water to concentrated sulfuric acid develops much heat which may be sufficient to cause a fire or an explosion. This depends upon the quantity of acid, quantity of water, and rate of addition of water.
    Caution: Always add concentrated sulfuric acid to water. Never add water to a concentrated acid.
Certain igniter materials can be reliably brought to flaming by the addition of concentrated sulfuric acid. This is brought about by the chemical reaction between the sulfuric acid and the igniter materials. The following igniters are initiated by concentrated sulfuric acid: Sugar-Chlorate (0201), Fire Fudge (0202), Sugar—Sodium Peroxide (0203), Aluminum Powder—Sodium Peroxide (0204), Match Head (0205), and Silver Nitrate—Magnesium Powder (0208).
The most important use for concentrated sulfuric acid as an initiator is in conjunction with delay mechanisms. The acid is held away from the igniter for a period of time by making use of the corrosive action of the acid to work its way through a barrier. If the delay mechanism is placed in a cold environment, the concentrated acid will remain fluid at extremely low temperatures. The following delay mechanisms are recommended for use with concentrated sulfuric acid: Gelatin Capsule (0402), Rubber Diaphragm (0403), Paper Diaphragm (0404), Tipping Delay—Filled tube (0408), Tipping Delay—Balancing Stick (0410), and Stretched Rubber Band (0411).
    b . Material and Equipment . Concentrated sulfuric acid.
    c. Preparation . None—If only battery-grade sulfuric acid is available (specific gravity 1.200), it must be concentrated before use to a specific gravity of 1.835. This is done by heating it in an enameled,