Satchel charge

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Two improvised satchel charges along with Sidolówka grenades, as used in the Warsaw Uprising

A satchel charge is a powerful, man-portable explosive device used by infantry and airborne troops.

In World War II, combat engineers used satchel charges to demolish heavy stationary targets such as rail, obstacles, blockhouses, bunkers, caves, and bridges. The WWII-era U.S. Army 'Kit, Demolition, M37' contained 8 blocks of Tetrytol high explosive, with 2 priming assemblies, in a canvas bag with a shoulder strap. Part or all of this charge could be placed against a structure or slung into an opening. It was usually detonated with a pull igniter.

The later U.S. 'Charge Assembly, Demolition, M183' contained 10 pounds of C-4 plastic explosive in each satchel and could be used with a timed fuse. In the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq, satchel charges were used to collapse houses onto the terrorists inside, instead of infantrymen clearing the houses room by room.

Satchel charges are found in some video games:

- In Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 the 10lb Satchel Charge is issued to combat engineers, known as the Sappers for the Allies and as the Sturmpionieren for the Axis, to be used as an anti-tank weapon and to demolish objectives.

- In World War II Online the 5kg Satchel Charge is used to demolish defensive structures, bridges and tanks.

- In Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, Covert Ops uses satchel charges to destroy objectives such as foot bridges, assault ramps, machine gun emplacements, pillboxes and command posts.

- In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, satchel charges can be collected in the alleyway by the Inside Track Betting Shop in Dillimore, Montgomery or Blueberry, to be thrown at will.

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