TM 9-1290-357-15
c. Inspection in Administrative Storage. In-
(6) Any other readily recognizable short-
spection will usually be visual and must consist
comings or deficiencies.
of at least a walk-around examination of the
d. Repair During Administrative Storage. Keep
equipment to observe any deficiencies that may
equipment in an optimu n state of readiness. Ac-
have occurred. Inspect equipment in open storage
complish required services and repairs as expedi-
weekly and that in covered storage monthly. Im-
tiously as possible.
mediately after any severe storm or environmen-
tal change inspect all equipment. The following
e. Rotation. T O a s s u r e u t i l i z a t i o n o f a l l
are examples of things to lok for during visual
assigned materiel, rotate items in accordance with
inspection.
any rotational plan that will keep equipment in
an operational condition and reduce mainten-
(1) Condition of preservatives, seals, and
ance effort.
wraps.
(2) Torn, frayed, or split canvas covers and
7-4. Loading and Blocking Instructions
tops.
Organizational maintenance personnel may as-
(3) Corrosion or other deterioration.
sist, as required, in loading and blocking boxed
(4) Missing or damaged parts.
equipment into boxcars and/or trucks.
(5) Water in compartments.
Section Il. DESTRUCTION OF MATERIEL TO PREVENT ENEMY USE
Disposal
--Requires burying in the ground,
75. General
dumping in streams or marshes, or
a. Destruction of the aiming circle M1 when
scattering so widely as to preclude
subject to capture or abandonment in the combat
recovery of essential parts. In gen-
zone, will be undertaken by the branch or service
eral, destruction of essential parts,
only when, in the judgment of the unit command
followed by burning will usually be
concerned, such action is necessary in accordance
sufficient to render the materiel
with orders of, or policy established by, the army
useless. However, selection of the
commander.
particular method of destruction
b. The information which follows is for guid-
requires imagination and resource-
ance only. Certain portions of the procedures out-
fulness in the utilization of the
lined require the use of explosives and incendiary
facilities at hand under the exist-
grenades which normally may not be authorized
ing conditions. Time is usually
items of issue to the using organization. The
critical.
issue of these and related materials, and the con-
c. If destruction to prevent enemy use is re-
ditions under which destruction will be effected,
sorted to, the materiel must be so badly damaged
are command decisions in each case, according to
that it cannot be restored to a usable condition
the tactical situation. Of the several means of de-
in the combat zone either by repair or cannibali-
struction, those most generally applicable are
zation. Adequate destruction requires that all
Mechanical--Requires axe, pick mattock, sledge,
parts essential to the operation of the materiel,
crowbar, or similar implement.
including essential spare parts, be destroyed or
Burning
--Requires gasoline, oil, incendiary
damaged beyond repair. However, when lack of
grenades, or other flammables, or
time and personnel prevents destruction of all
welding or cutting torch.
parts, priority is given to the destruction of
1
Demolition --Requires suitable explosives or am-
those parts most difficult to replace. Equally im-
munition.
portant, the same essential parts must be de-
1
Gunfire
--Includes artillery, machine guns,
stroyed on all like materiel so that the enemy
rifles, using rifle grenades, and
cannot construct one conplete unit from several
launchers using antitank rockets.
damaged ones.
Under some circumstances hand
grenades may be used.
d. If destruction by demolition or gunfire is
1
directed, due consideration should be given to
Generally applicable only when the aiming circle M1
is to be destroyed in conjunction with other equipment.
the observance of appropriate safety precautions.
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