OVERVIEW: Contact-type sabotage bombs using high explosives are manually emplaced demolition devices designed to destroy or disable infrastructure, equipment, or vehicles upon direct contact. These munitions are typically used in covert operations or irregular warfare to damage targets such as railways, bridges, fuel depots, or vehicle convoys.

DETAILS: High explosive (HE) contact bombs for sabotage consist of a main explosive charge encased in a small, portable container, equipped with a pressure-activated or impact-based fuze. These bombs are designed to be hidden or emplaced directly on the target, detonating when physical contact or pressure is applied. Typical explosives used include TNT, RDX, or Composition B, selected for their high detonation velocity and brisance. The sabotage charge may be shaped to focus energy against structural components or simply configured for general blast effect. These bombs have been used historically by special operations forces, resistance movements, and irregular units to destroy hard-to-reach or lightly protected targets.

TYPE: Manually Emplaced High Explosive Charge

FUNCTION: The device is placed on or near a target and armed with a contact fuze, detonating when sufficient force or pressure is applied. It is used to destroy vehicles, infrastructure, or material assets through a direct high-explosive blast.

NOTE:
Conflict used in: World War II (1939–1945), Vietnam War (1955–1975), Iraq War (2003), ongoing special operations and sabotage missions globally

SOURCE:
U.S. Army Field Manual FM 3-05.70 Survival ; U.S. Army TM 31-210 Improvised Munitions Handbook: https://archive.org/details/TM31-210 ; Jane’s Mines and Mine Clearance ; CIA Sabotage Field Manual ; NATO Handbook on Demolitions