A U.S. intelligence report on German adhesive paste for demolition charges in WWII, from Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 39, December 2, 1943. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

ADHESIVE PASTE FOR DEMOLITION CHARGES A translation of a German document describes a substance known as Kat (Kaltklebekitt) 39 which is used for the speedy attachment of demolition charges to all kinds of surfaces except those that are thoroughly wet. a. Description Kat 39 is a dark brown, sticky substance made up in 1/2-kg tins with a spatula and instruction sheet. It will not adhere to wet surfaces under water. It must be protected from frost, which makes it hard and useless until it is thawed. It retains its adhesive properties as long as it is at body temperature. It can be stored for long periods and is unaffected by weather. b. Method of Use The side of the charge which is to be attached to the target is smeared with a 1/16- to 1/8-in layer of the paste and the charge pressed firmly against the target with a slight back and forward motion. If the surface to be attacked is wet or excessively damp it should be previously dried with a cloth. All charges attached with Kat 39 should in addition be secured with wire if time permits, as it is impossible to ascertain whether the whole or only part of the surface is adhering. Only in cases of extreme emergency, and if the demolition is to be carried out immediately, can the wire be omitted. Kat 39 can also be used to join a number of 200-gm or 1-kg slabs together to form concentrated charges, (geballte Ladungen); these too must be further secured by wire. Heavy charges can be prevented from slipping down by lengths of 3/4-inch plank stuck to the surface of the target below the charge.

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