How to Disable a Chassis.
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Our Topical Problem, of a Fortnight Ago, Arouses Remarkable Interest. We Reproduce a Few of the Hundreds of Replies.
The interesting problem which we put to our readers a fortnight ago, as to the best means to be adopted, taking all the circumstances into consideration, to render a motor lorry useless as a capture by the enemy, while on active service, has aroused a great deal of discussion, and has brought to us a very large number of letters.
We have carefully considered all of these, and a considerable proportion of those received have raised points which, we must confess had not occurred to us when we first propounded the question.
Disablement Which Can Be Repaired.
It appears to us that the most satisfactory method to be adopted must be one which, whilst effectively disabling the chassis so far as the enemy captor is concerned, will, if possible' enable our own mechanics and drivers, if the opportunity occur, to return and to put the machine in sufficient order to enable it to be recovered. This is by no means such a simple problem as it would appear. Again, the most ingenious of schemes which have been put forward by our readers to effect this double purpose all seem to fail, when the test is applied to them, as to the possibility of the captors' towing away the machine for attention at the base or by a travelling workshop unit.
On the whole, we think it will be admitted that whatever plan is adopted, it will be better to leave the machine so disabled that it cannot be driven, although it may be towed. If, however, something can be devised which will also prevent its being towed, then we have done even better.
Disablement Should be Prearranged and By Order.
A point which has been raised by one of our correspondents is that, whatever is discovered to be the best means to the end we have in view, there should be a definite instruction to all men in charge of Service lorries. In this way only will it be possible to ensure that, in the unhappy event of a whole column of similar machines having to be abandoned, an ingenious enemy will not be able to make good from some machines defects on others, and so with facility capture a considerable proportion of such column in effective condition. If, for instance, it be the order in such cases for all drivers to remove one particular component, it will be obviously impossible for any one or more of the machines of an abandoned column to be at once used effectively, providing that the parts removed are not likely to be replaceable by spare parts in possession of the enemy.
Objections to Destruction by Fire.
By the terms of our original question, we ruled out any suggestions which might involve the use of firearms or explosives for the destruction or extensive disablement of such abandoned machines. We, however, did not specify that the vehicles should not be set on fire. To the many correspondents who have suggested this last-mentioned means, we reply that such a method in very many circumstances would, in our opinion, be inexpedient, if only on account of the fact that such firing would tend to locate the column definitely to enemy troops in the vicinity. We have, therefore, for that reason, also barred, such suggestions.
Two Problems When Abandonment Contemplated.
It would seem to us, after careful consideration, that troops who are faced with this problem have to consider two alternative questions, and these are : Is there any remote chance of recapture or return to re c20 cover the abandoned machines? Are the circumstances of such a nature that it is obvious the machines will at once pass into the hands of the enemy finally? In the first case, of course, every effort should be made only so to disable the mechanism as to frustrate any attempts on the part of the enemy to remove the machine ; in the second case, it will be advisable to do irretrievable damage to the chassis in some way or other.
The Most Desirable Result to be Aimed At.
In the terms of our question, we want to ascertain the best means to put the machine out of action in such a way " as most effectively to render it useless as a capture by the enemy." It is obvious that this may apply to either of the alternative conditions which we nave suggested above. On the whole, therefore, we have come to the conclusion that the letter which contains the suggestion which most effectively meets the following conditions is the best solution. These conditions are : the best and quickest method to render the abandoned chassis useless for immediate driving away, coupled with difficulty in towing the machine away with the object of effecting a possible repair at the base or travelling workshop, at the same time such disablement to be capable of effective adjustment in the event of our troops being able to return to recover the machine.
The Best Suggestion that Has Been Made.
In our opinion, the letter which follows fulfils most nearly these combined conditions, of all those which we have received :— "I suggest that a good plan would be to disconnect the induction pipe complete with the carburetter, and also take off the ball sockets from each side of the steering arms.
"The idea is that, although it would only take a few moments to take these off and take them with you, it would take the enemy a long time to replace them. Then, should they abandon it as uselesa, you may get a chance to go back with the parts, and use the car again.
"If, on the other hand, you decided to let the car go altogether; the engine should be run with the top or side of the gearbox off and a few decent stones dropped in the gear wheels. Then shut the engine off, take out the sparking plugs, and pack the cylinders with grit. This would bar any lorry from use for a few days, and by that time the enemy may be in too much of a hurry to get out of the way of our Expeditionary Force to trouble about finishing." J. D. GEARON, 56, Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, W.
[The suggestion to disconnect the induction pipe complete with the carburetter is the best one we halve received for the prevention of the machine's being driven without the necessity of damaging tha engine or other parts. It would be almost impossible to replace the average induction pipe, unless the enemy happened to be in possession of that particular special spare part. Induction-pipe manifolds are seldom quite interchangeable on the same models, and never are on those from different works. The disablement to the steering gear prevents the machine's being towed, although it might be remedied. We should prefer the removal of the steering wheel and the nut that holds it. The method of ruining the mechanism suggested is perhaps as good as any other. We have forwarded the prize of a wallet of tools to this competitor.—En.] Some of the other methods which are suggested are sufficiently interesting to warrant reproduction, and we include a selection herewith.
Remove the Valve-pocket Plugs.
• "The best method of doing this to my mind would vary with circumstances. A very quick and effectual way would be to smash up the cylinders, which being of cast-iron ,would be very amenable to a little persuasion with a hammer and would take but a few moments to destroy. The enemy would not be likely to have much in the way of spare cylinders to fit our lorries, and so would be reduced to the necessity of making new ones with the attendant trouble of Making patterns and getting castings, machining, etc. Otherwise he would have to fit a new engine. In any case, a long and complicated job would be necessary.
"If, however, there was the question of abandoning a lorry for a short -time only, with the probability of retrieving it later, the taking away of the valve pocket plugs might suffice, as this would of course prevent the engine's being run, Whilst it would not so seriously injure the engine but that it could be very quickly put to rights again.
"'In any case the magneto should be taken away, as this is somewhat of a universal fitting, and would be very handy to the enemy for one of his own lorries, and would also help to swell the stock of spare parts on our own side.
"in the case of abandonment I think the A.S.C. should come to some conclusion and issue regular rules as to what procedure should be followed. In the ca-se of two lorries being left to the enemy and the driver of one smashing his radiator or taking away the cardan shaft whilst the other driver smashes his engine or back axle, there would not be much difficulty for the enemy to make one serviceable lorry from the remains of the two, always supposing they were of one type. So it is necessary for the drivers to do the eame damage to both vehicles to ensure two lorries being hors de combat.
H. T .A. (Bournemouth). [A sensible letter. The removal of the valve-pocket
plugs is a good suggestion, but, from experience, this would often prove a very difficult and stubborn job. It is the equivalent of the prize-winner's suggestion for the removal of the induction pine. The point about the removal of the magneto is a good one : it also has to be remembered that if we take the magneto away, it would not be possible for the Germans to disable the machine on reaching it by depriving us of it. The last paragraph of this letter contains a very valuable suggestion.—En.] Snap Off the Jet.
"In nearly every motor kit a large spanner or hammer can be found, and with this as a weapon it should not be a very long job to disable the hightension coil distributor and also the coil.
"The carburetter if time allowed might receive a little attention, the jet being snapped off by a chisel if easily get-at-able through the extra-air inlet as in a Claude! Hobson." W.H. (Blackburn).
[The idea of snapping off the jet is a good one, and would be preferable, from the point of view of disablement, to removing it.—En.
Plug the Oil Pipes.
"I suggest that the union nut on the oil pipe leading from the oil pump to the main bearings be disconnected and the pipe be stuffed with sand, earth, or a piece of cloth and the nut replaced.
" This, I claim, would have the effect of seizing up the whole of the bearings. "To abandon a motor wagon at such short notice is evidence the enemy is in hot pursuit. Assuming this, the enemy would not be prepared to waste time on a wagon which would not move at all. In my suggestion I claim that having started up the engine and travelled a few yards the enemy would proceed to load up the vehicle, and perhaps before they had finished loading up, the engine would have seized hopelessly, thus necessitating the unloading of the vehicle, which is all wasted valuable time."
H.L. (4-i 17gan). [It is a good suggestion to delay the ultimate scrap
'ping of the machine until the vehicle is loaded up with enemy stores and on the way. This might cause a great deal of confusion, and certainly a lot of trouble.—En.] Manipulate the Magneto.
"Connect switch terminal -of magneto to frame with piece of fine wire which cannot be easily seen. "Connect high-tension terminal to frame With fine wire.
"Remove magneto make-and-break. "Remove high-tension brush of magneto.'
. P. G . F. (Bristol). . .
[Evidently a solution by an electrician. Would not -prevent towing away.—En:] Knock Holes in Piston Heads.
"It thiS had to be done it would in all probability have to be done in a much shorter space of time than one would require for the dismantling and carrying away of an essential piece of mechanism. The destruction of carburetter or magneto would fail to achieve the desired result, inasmuch as the enemy would probably be able"to substitute either of them fa:0y efficiently and at short notice. All things considered, it seems to me that the most effective way of disabling a petrol motor at short notice would be to remove the sparking plugs and, with the aid of a hammer and a long screwdriver, punch a hole through eaCh piston head. In the event of the vehicle being subsequently recovered, new pistons heads could be fitted at comparatively low cost." C.W.N. (Kennington). [Not every piston head is get-at-able from the spark
ing-plug hole. The machine would be useless for a
long while after recovery.—ED.] , Drop Some Nuts into the Back Axle.
"The quickest method to my mind of putting a three-ton wagon of standard type out of action and preventing it being driven or towed away by an enemy would be to place a quantity of small steel nuts in the differential case through the inspection cover. These would jam in the gears immediately the vehicle was moved, and effectually prevent its removal without a considerable amount of work.
"Should an opportunity present itself of retaking the vehicle, however, knowing the defects, it would not take long to clear them." W.H.S. (Durham). `It is just possible that the jamming would not take place ; if it did, the damage would be irreparable in the event of recovery.—En.] Put Grit or Emery into the Crank Chamber.
"It is presumed that time and the most effective form of disablement are the two most important factors to be considered. Removing or -dismantling magneto, carburetter or connections, etc., will prevent immediate use by an enemy, but the possibility of being able to replace these parts by others in their possession has to be taken into account.
"Such defects would also be discovered immediately. My suggestion is to cause the most inconvenience by disablement taking effect when the enemy are utilizing the machine for their own purposes. To accomplish this I would introduce into the engine through the inspection doors of the base chamber, and also into the cylinders by unscrewing the valve caps, a quantity of road grit. "The effect would not be immediate, but the engine would not run very long after restarting, and the e21 repairs required would take longer than a state of war would permit, and possibly the enemy might lose a good deal of time and be put to a lot of trouble before having to abandon the machine."
N.F.L. (Leeds). [If it were decided to destroy the machine, it would obviously be better to take means that would not effect this until after the enemy had got well under way and was under the impression that he was doing good service with the machine—preferably with a load on—En.] Put a Spanner in the Timing Wheels, "The quickest way to disable a motor is to place a spanner between two timing wheels that were running in mesh, this would smash the teeth upon the wheels, the cam shafting and probably the crankcase. Should the wheels be eased in, the case is easily broken with the same spanner."
A.L. (Bermondsey). [An effective final disablement, but it would probably take time to get through the cam case, and certainly to remove it.—En.] Take Parts Away in Your Pocket.
"I would take out the carburetter top complete with the float, balance weights and needle, also remove contact breaker complete from the magneto by the undoing of armature centre bolt. These fittings could be carried in the pocket, and have the advantage of being replaced in the same time as they took to remove. On replacement, wagon would be ready for immediate work, if required by the person having the identical parts." R.K. (North Shields). [Does not prevent towing.—ED.] Heroic Methods.
"First I would get into reverse, crowd on both brakes, race the engine, and smash the bevel pinion or differential gear.
"Next remove the magneto distributor. "Lastly remove the change-speed lever or gate, or else the selector mechanism. I would do these things in the order named, as I think that for ' effectiveness ' they come as indicated. Everything would depend upon the time available."
J.R.C. (Sheffield). [The first method would not necessarily smash the pinion, although it would be likely to do se The last method would take far too long. Nor would it prevent the machine's being towed.—ED.] Brakes Should be Smashed.
"it is useless to remove the magneto, since this could most probably be replaced immediately by another, but the use of a hammer on the inlet pipe and carburetter would temporarily disable any engine, while the emery, introduced into the crank case, would do its work well inside a mile. But still the vehicle could be towed, and to introduce difficulties into this method of moving it, the brakes
should be smashed." " THETA " (Lonchin, N.).
[One of the few correspondents who foresaw the difficulty that a machine could be towed by an enemy captor. It is possible,' however, to tow a machino, even if the brakes be smashed.---Em] Stuffing Up the Exhaust Pipe.
"I should either try to disable the car in such a way that it would break down some while after the enemy had taken it over—forinstance, by putting grit, in the petrol or something like that, or else I should try to do something that would keep him a long while puzzling what was the matter—for instance, by stuffing a tightly-wound ball of rag or
waste up the exhaust pipe." G.T.P. (Preston).
[Both these schemes are fraught with good intentions, if not strictly honourable. Neither of them, however, would prevent the machine's being towed.— ED.] We Shall Welcome Further Suggestions, We feel certain that it will have interested our readers to have read the selection of suggestions which we have published. Whilst we have awarded the prize to the letter which in our opinion most nearly approaches the ideal solution, we do not consider that it is absolutely the best means which may be attained ; nevertheless, the sender is properly entitled to the presentation of the small wallet of tools which we have offered, and which we have had pleasure in sending to him.
We shall welcome further letters on the subject, which is of such topical interest, and which is by no means likely to prove fruitless from the point of view of information for the A. S.°. men in the field, and especially for those who are charged with giving them the necessary instructions in all emergencies.
How to Disable a Steamer. Another Prize.
In view of toe interest which this little competition has aroused, we now offer a further wallet of tools as a prize for the best and most concise answer to the following problem : If you were in charge of a steam wagon or i tractor on active service, and t became necessary for 'you to abandon it at a few moments' notice, bow would you proceed so to put it out of action as most effectively to render it useless as a capture by the enemy?
The best solution will be that which suggests a means to prevent the vehicle or tractor being either driven or towed by the enemy captor, while at the same: time enabling it to be recovered more or less intact by our own troops. The use of firearms or explosives, or the setting fire to the machine, to ensure destruction of or damage to any part of the chassis, will not be considered as an effective solution.