Waterbucket II: E-8 Test on Ambush, ca. 1966

Year Published: 1980

Creator: National Archives and Records Administration

Format: 16mm/video file

Description: National Archives and Records Administration - ARC Identifier 3021192 / Local Identifier 175.50 - Waterbucket II: E-8 Test on Ambush, ca. 1966 - Department of Defense. Department of the Army. U.S. Army Materiel Command. U.S. Army Munitions Command. Edgewood Arsenal. (08/01/1962 - 1971). This film is a U.S. Army "Edgewood Arsenal Report" on three chemical munitions systems that were under development by the U.S. Army. The E8, E158, and E159 were tested at Camp A. P. Hill, Virginia. In test one the goal was to test E158 and E159 to see if these aerial clusters prevented ambush by reconnaissance, and to determine the effects of the weapons on both masked and unmasked troops. The results showed that eighty-five percent of the area was covered and the majority of troops were incapacitated. In test two the goal was to see if E8 and E158 were effective for a daylight ambush on hostile foot columns. The results showed that the E158 cut off avenues of escape, and the E8 placed at the back and front of the column created a cloud over the killing zone. In test three the goal was to test daylight defense of a fixed installation. The results showed that the attack force was incapacitated. In test four the goal was to test an ambush and to see whether a friendly foot column that was initially unmasked could counter an ambush using launchers. The results showed that the friendly forces were able to incapacitate an enemy, but the enemy was able to flee from the cloud.