BENGALURU: The Bangalore Torpedo, an anti-obstacle explosive device, developed by the Madras Sappers, Bangalore, completed 100 years of existence in 2016 and is still being used for breaching wire obstacles even 100 years after it was designed and developed.
The explosive device was first used by Gen Pershing and it met with success in the US Army's action at St Mihiel. In World War II, it became a standard device.
Bangalore Torpedo was developed as an explosive device in 1916. In 1912, Major R.L. McClintock, Superintendent of Instruction at the Centre of Madras Sappers, Bangalore was entrusted with the task of designing an anti-obstacle device.
After four years of experimentation, the device was perfected with an iron pipe filled with TNT, which could be inserted into the heart of the barbed wire entanglement, and exploded from a safe distance.
The reference to the Bangalore Torpedo was also made in the American war film, Saving Private Ryan, featuring Tom Hanks, based on the invasion of Normandy. “We have two Bangalore Torpedos. One is from the ordnance and the other can be made anywhere. We still use it to break fence wiring and a considerable damage can be inflicted. Since it is easy to make and use, this still remains the most accepted device,” an army official said.
