Simple Sabotage Field ManualUnited States. Office of Strategic Services
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Simple Sabotage Field Manual
United States. Office of Strategic Services
Sabotage
The citizen-saboteur cannot be closely controlled. Nor is it reasonable
to expect that simple sabotage can be precisely concentrated on
specific types of target according to the requirements of a concrete
military situation. Attempts to control simple sabotage according to
developing military factors, moreover, might provide the enemy with
intelligence of more or less value in anticipating the date and area of
notably intensified or notably slackened military activity.
Sabotage suggestions, of course, should be adapted to fit the area
where they are to be practiced. Target priorities for general types of
situations likewise can be specified, for emphasis at the proper time
by the underground press, freedom stations, and cooperating propaganda.
(1) _Under General Conditions_
(a) Simple sabotage is more than malicious mischief, and it should
always consist of acts whose results will be detrimental to the
materials and manpower of the enemy.
(b) The saboteur should be ingenious in using his every-day equipment.
All sorts of weapons will present themselves if he looks at his
surroundings in a different light. For example, emery dust—a powerful
weapon—may at first seem unobtainable, but if the saboteur were to
pulverize an emery knife sharpener or emery wheel with a hammer, he
would find himself with a plentiful supply.
(c) The saboteur should never attack targets beyond his capacity or the
capacity of his instruments. An inexperienced person should not, for
example, attempt to use explosives, but should confine himself to the
use of matches or other familiar weapons.
(d) The saboteur should try to damage only objects and materials known
to be in use by the enemy or to be destined for early use by the enemy.
It will be safe for him to assume that almost any product of heavy
industry is destined for enemy use, and that the most efficient fuels
and lubricants also are destined for enemy use. Without special
knowledge, however, it would be undesirable for him to attempt
destruction of food crops or food products.
(e) Although the citizen-saboteur may rarely have access to military
objects, he should give these preference above all others.
(2) _Prior to a Military Offensive_
During periods which are quiescent in a military sense, such emphasis
as can be given to simple sabotage might well center on industrial
production, to lessen the flow of materials and equipment to the enemy.
Slashing a rubber tire on an Army truck may be an act of value;
spoiling a batch of rubber in the production plant is an act of still
more value.
(3) _During a Military Offensive_
(a) Most significant sabotage for an area which is, or is soon destined
to be, a theater of combat operations is that whose effects will be
direct and immediate. Even if the effects are relatively minor and
localized, this type of sabotage is to be preferred to activities whose
effects, while widespread, are indirect and delayed.
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