Clearing away bridges, small dams and roadways in the reservoir area of the new Cherokee dam in Tennessee gave army engineers an opportunity to test new demolition equipment. One of the implements was a pneumatic earth auger that quickly bores holes about, a foot in diameter forf placement of explosives. Working as under battle conditions, engineers set and shot some of their charges, completely demolishing in a matter of minutes many structures which might have been of strategic value to an advancing enemy.