Truck, Utility, 3/4 ton, 4x4, Rover Series III
USER HANDBOOK

Produced to the requirement of
THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
by DIRECTOR OF QUALITY ASSURANCE
(FIGHTING VEHICLES AND ENGINEER EQUIPMENT)

This is an extract from the MOD's manual for the Series 3 109" Land Rover. Few road vehicle user handbooks can claim anything like it!

Section V

Destruction of Equipment to Prevent Enemy Use

GENERAL

Destruction

401. Destruction of the equipment, when subject to capture or abandonment in the combat zone, will be undertaken by the using arm.

Degree of damage

402.

1. Methods of destruction should achieve such damage to equipment and essential spare parts that it will not be possible to restore the equipment to a usable condition in the combat zone either by repair or by cannibalization.
2. Classified equipment must be destroyed in such degree as to prevent, wherever possible, duplication by, or revealing means of operation or function to the enemy.
3. Any classified documents, notes, instructions or other written material pertaining to function, operation, maintenance or employment, including drawing or parts lists, must be destroyed in a manner to render them useless to the enemy.

Priorities for destruction

403.

1. Priority must be given to the destruction of classified equipment and associated documents.
2. When lack of time and/or stores prevents complete destruction of equipment, priority is to be given to the destruction of essential parts, and the same parts are to be destroyed on all like equipment.
3. A guide to priorities for destruction of the vehicle and radio equipment is shown overleaf.

Equipment	Priority	Parts
Vehicle	1	Carburettor and distributor
	2	Engine block and cooling system
	3	Tyres and suspensions
	4	Hydraulic system
	5	Axle and suspensions
	6	Body
Radio (when fitted)	1	Transmitter
	2	Receiver
	3	Remote control units
	4	Power supply
	5	Antennae
	6	Tuning heads

Equipment installed in vehicles

404. Equipment installed in vehicles shouldbe destroyed in accordance with the priorities for the equipment itself, taking into account the relative importance of the installed equipment and the vehicle itself.

Spare Parts

405. The same priority, for destruction of component parts of a major item necessary to render the item inoperable, must be given to the destruction of similar components in spare parts storage areas.

Authority

406. The authority for ordering the destruction of equipment is vested in the divisional and higher commanders, who may delegate authority to subordinate commanders when the situation requires.

Reporting

407. The reporting of the destruction of equipment is to be done through command channels.

METHODS OF DESTRUCTION

408. The following information is for guidance only. Of the several means of destruction, those most generally applicable are as under.

Mechanical

409. This requires an axe, pick, crowbar or similar implement. The vehicle and radio installation should be destroyed in accordance with the priorities given in para. 400.

Burning

410. This requires gasoline, oil or other flammables.

1. Remove and empty the portable fire extinguishers.
2. Smash all vital components such as carburettor, distributor, spark plugs, lights, switches, instruments and control levels. Destroy the radio equipment by smashing with a heavy implement.
3. Smash the engine block, engine cylinders, gearbox, transfer box, axle and suspensions.
4. Drain or puncture the fuel tank. If gasoline is not readily available, collect the fuel for use as outlined in sub-para. (5).
5. With all hatches and windows open to admit air for combustion, pour gasoline and oil in and over the entire vehicle. Ignite by means of an incendiary grenade fired from a safe distance, by a burst from a flame thrower, by a combustible train of suitable length, or other appropriate means. Take cover immediately.
   Warning: Cover must be taken without delay since an early explosion of the fuel tank may be caused by the fire. Due consideration should be given to the highly flammable nature of gasoline and its vapour. Carelessness in its use may result in painful burns.

Gunfire

411.

1. Remove and empty the portable fire extinguishers.
2. Smash all vital components such as carburetter, distributor, spark plugs, light switches, instruments and control levers. Destroy the radio equipment by smashing with a heavy implement.
3. Smash the engine block, engine cylinders, gearbox, transfer box, axle and suspension.
4. Drain or puncture the fuel tank.
5. Destroy the vehicle by gunfire, using adjacent gun tanks, self propelled guns, artillery, rifles, using rifle grenades or launchers, using anti-tank rockets. Fire on the vehicle aiming at the road wheels, engine compartment and transmission. Although one well-placed direct hit may render the vehicle temporarily useless, several hits are usually required for complete destruction unless an intense fire is started, in which case the vehicle may be destroyed.
   Warning: Firing artillery at ranges of 500 yards or less should be from cover. Firing rifle grenades or anti-tank rockets should also be from cover.

412. In general, destruction of essential parts, followed by burning, will usually be sufficient to render the vehicle, armament, and equipment useless. However, selection of the particular method of destruction requires imagination and resourcefulness in the utilization of the facilities at hand under the existing conditions. Time is usually critical.

413. If destruction is ordered, due consideration should be given to:

1. Selection of a point of destruction that will cause greatest obstruction to enemy mvement and also prevent hazard to friendly troops from fragments to ricocheting projectiles which may occur incidental to the destruction by gunfire.
2. Observance of appropriate safety precautions.

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