How does a Bangalore torpedo work?

Answer 1

If memory serves me correctly a Bangalore torpedo is used to breach physical defensive barriers IE: barbwire, razor or concertina wire, as well as soft physical barriers like dirt or sand barriers. It's a series of metal tubes which interconnect to each other to make a longer tube, this is filled with a form of slower burning explosive but faster burning than fuse cord** (**fuse cord burns at about 2 feet per second, prima cord or det cord burns at about 20,000 feet per second, seems almost instantaneous ) The intent is to plow a path through a barrier using the linked explosive force. All explosives burn or detonate in a line, it's this line burning concept that made the Bangalore a trusted tool in the 2nd world war battle field. Allowing forces to breach a defensive line by literally blasting a trench through the defensive line. This allowed troops to move in the safety of the "newly formed" trench courtesy of the Bangalore torpedo. Video example of a Bangalor torpedo being used, see the movie "The Longest Day", near the end as the troops are on the beaches you will see a segment where a barbwire defense is taken out courtesy of the Bangalore torpedo.