"Portable flame thrower operations in W W II" Topic

PORTABLE FLAME THROWER OPERATIONS IN WORLD WAR II
"This document includes information regarding the development of flame weapons by both allied and enemy powers, their characteristics, what quantities were available, fuel development, the employment in various theaters where American troops were involved, training, logistics, maintenance, and the ground combat situation. Enemy employment is accounted for and photographs are included"
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This is a nice source for some TO&Es,employment,tactics and some information to create some scenarios with.This also mentions the use of flamethrowers by the Japanese,Germans and Chinese too.
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And some good info here,
CHAPTER XIV
The Flame Thrower in the Pacific:
Guadalcanal to the Marshall Islands
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Robert

Very interesting, thank you!

Dude, you are just cranking out the WW2 goodies lately. Thanks!

Thanks for the post, interesting about how many defective "factory fresh" flame-throwers were received by the troops.

Thanks All. . Been finding some interesting info recently while looking others things up. Robert

Don't have it to hand as it's buried in the attic somewheres but there is a firsthand account of Churchill Crocodile operations that could be added to the above list.

"Portable Flame Thrower" from Intelligence Bulletin, February 1945

The following report on the WWII Japanese Model 93 and Model 100 portable flame throwers originally appeared in the February 1945 issue of the Intelligence Bulletin.

[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department Intelligence Bulletin publication. 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.]

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"After action report, 713th Tank Battalion, Armored Flame Thrower Provisional: 19 Nov 44 thru 30 Jun 45."

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"Portable Flame Throwers (German)" from Intelligence Bulletin
A report on German portable flame throwers of WWII, from the Intelligence Bulletin, April 1944.

[Editor's Note: The following article is wartime information on enemy tactics and equipment published for Allied soldiers. In most cases, more accurate data is available in postwar publications.] "
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"Flame Throwers (Italian)" from Intelligence Bulletin

Report on Italian portable and tank-mounted flamethrowers, from the U.S. Intelligence Bulletin, December 1942.

[Editor's Note: The following article is wartime information on enemy tactics and equipment published for Allied soldiers. In most cases, more accurate data is available in postwar publications.] "
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CHAPTER XV
The Flame Thrower in the Pacific: Marianas to Okinawa
The Need for a Mechanized Flame Thrower

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I was gonna hunt up a couple of those links after I saw your initial posting but now there is no need !

"Report of the new weapons board.

Office of the Commanding General
Army Service Forces
Washington, D. C.
27 April 1944

50. Items of British Manufacture

a. The British have developed and are now producing the "Crocodile" flame thrower for the Churchill tank. A similar model for the Sherman tank is under development. The "Crocodile"flame thrower for the Churchill tank replaces the cal. .50 machine gun and operates in a ball-and-socket joint. The maximum range 6f the gun when using thickened fuel and a %" nozzle is 125 yd.; the effective range is 80 to 100 yd. The fuel burning time is 100 seconds. When a larger nozzle and thickened fuel are used, the effective range is increased. A trailer, which maybe easily jettisoned, is connected to the rear of the tank; it holds two 480-gal. fuel tanks and five cylinders of nitrogen under 3,200-lb. pressure. The working pressure is 250-300 lb. per sq. in. The "Crocodile" gun for the Sherman tank is similar to this one except that the gun is installed on the right side of the tank in the aerial mount. The gun and the gunner's periscope are synchronized. The gun has a 900 traverse, 150 elevation, and 100 depression.

b. The British thickened fuel worked excellently in the E3 portable flame thrower and gave the equivalent range of a 6-percent NaPalm mix. The British thickened fuel is manufactured as follows: 4 lb. of aluminum stearate are mixed with 12 gal. (U. S.) of gasoline. This mixture is stirred continuously while being heated to a temperature of 450 C.; when this temperature is reached, 2 lb. of xylenol are added and the stirring is continued. The temperature is then raised to 500 C. The mixture is kept at this temperature for at least 30 minutes and is then allowed to cool. The chief disadvantage of the British thickened fuel, however, is that it must be manufactured in a plant which has the proper mixing and heating facilities. At the Petroleum Warfare Research Station at Horsham, development on the lifebuoy-type flamethrower is continuing with a view to developing a model having a maximum weight of 50 lb. and a fuel capacity of 4 gal. Cartridge-type ignition is used, the cartridge cylinder containing10 cartridges, each burning for 212 seconds. Information was received through officials at this station that, to date, all captured German flame throwers, both portable and mechanized, will not take thickened fuel.

c. At the Chemical Defense Experimental Station at Porton, examination was made of the British jet gun manufactured for the expulsion of thickened HCN. Using cordite for fuel, this gun has a range of approximately 35 yd. This gun may also be used with thickened fuel as a "one-shot" flame thrower and has a range of 60 to 75 yd. The gun can eject fuel for a period of 3 seconds and weighs approximately 33 lb. This weapon should be thoroughly studied for possible use in jungle warfare."

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The Report of the New Weapons Board is a very interesting read BTW.Robert

Sorry Hornswoggler my Favorites list is pretty long . Robert

One of the things I wasn't aware of was the use by the Chinese of flame throwere during the war. Robert

I must say, that British recipe for thickened fuel scares the crap out of me. You want me to heat gasoline to what temperature?!?

I was thinking the same thing Legion . Robert

"For the fighting on Peleliu and Ngesebus tanks were used to support the general advance and destroy pillboxes, bunkers, and automatic weapons directly impeding the advance of the infantry. Tank-dozers proved valuable in filling antitank ditches and clearing logs and debris. Of the three tank-dozers landed, only one remained in operation throughout the campaign. A modified light tank, the E4-5 Mechanized Flamethrower, proved a good small-capacity weapon, but its use was limited. The tank was required to expose itself at a time when it was least able to protect itself because of the displacement of the bow machine gun. "

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Looks like most of the majority of the information you can find on flamethrower use is by the US in the Pacific. But i would assume the Japanese were alot better in building or creating emplacements out of whatever materials was available. Robert

Models of US Portable Flamethrowers and Use of the US Flamethrower in World War II
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US Flamethrower models
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Japanese forces use flame-throwers while attacking a fortified emplacement on Corregidor Island, in the Philippines in May of 1942
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"Use of Flame-Thrower by Italians in Russia" from Tactical and Technical Trends

The following U.S. report on Italian use of flamethrowers in Russia during WWII was originally published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 9, Oct. 8, 1942.

[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.]

USE OF FLAME-THROWER BY ITALIANS IN RUSSIA

The Italians on the Russian front are reportedly making extensive use of flame-throwers as supporting weapons for infantry action.

The flame-thrower used is known as Model 35, capable of throwing a flame 22 yards and making untenable a zone 39 yards long by 17 yards wide.

The device weighs approximately 60 pounds and can produce 10 intermittent jets of flame representing 20 seconds of continuous fire.

It is considered inadvisable to employ the flame-throwers in units smaller than a flame-thrower group organized as follows:

1 leader, 1 assistant, 6 squads of 2 teams each; a team composed of 1 operator and 1 assistant.

Thus there is a group of 26 men, which breaks down to 12 teams, each operating 1 flame-thrower.

Comment: The weapon covered by this report is not superior to our flamethrower, but it is felt that the method of employing flame-throwers in groups of 12 should be of interest to the troops in the field. "
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Soviet ROKS-2 (ranzewuj ognemjot KS-2)
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"WWII Russian soldier with the ROKS-2 Flamethrower (It's no secret that flamethrowers were used during WWII by infantry and tanks. Problem is the guy who had to carry it around made for an easy, high priority target. Shoot the tanks on his back and you could set fire to any of his comrades nearby. The Soviets and Germans actually disguised their flamethrowers to look like standard rifles, at least from a distance. The gas tanks would be concealed to look like supply packs. This made the flamethrower operator blend in with the rest of his company allowing him to reach his target without worry of being singled out by the enemy.)"

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First time I have heard about flamethrowers being disguised as rifles and back packs. Robert

Italian Flamethrowers

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Italian flamethrower (North Africa 1942). Notice heavy glove.
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"Shoot the tanks on his back and you could set fire to any of his comrades nearby."

This is a myth. More than likely, all that would happen is the fuel would leak out the bullet hole. Source: EQUIPMENT OF THE WORLD WAR TWO TOMMY by David Gordon.

"However, a Hollywood myth perpetuated by films like Saving Private Ryan bears some scrutiny here:

It should be noted that flame thrower operators did not usually face a fiery death from the slightest spark or even from having their tank hit by a normal bullet as often depicted in modern war films. The Gas Container is filled with a non-flammable gas that is under high pressure. If this tank were ruptured, it might knock the operator forward as it was expended in the same way a pressurized aerosol can bursts outward when punctured. The fuel mixture in the Fuel Containers is difficult to light which is why magnesium filled igniters are required when the weapon is fired. Fire a bullet into a metal can filled with diesel or napalm and it will merely leak out the hole unless the round was an incendiary type that could possibly ignite the mixture inside. This also applies to the flame thrower Fuel Container.(Weapons of the WWII Tommy)"
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US Marine Private Kenneth R. Hoger with his pin-up decorated flamethrower pack, off Iwo Jima, February, 1945.
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"However, a Hollywood myth perpetuated by films like Saving Private Ryan bears some scrutiny here:

It should be noted that flame thrower operators did not usually face a fiery death from the slightest spark or even from having their tank hit by a normal bullet as often depicted in modern war films. The Gas Container is filled with a non-flammable gas that is under high pressure. If this tank were ruptured, it might knock the operator forward as it was expended in the same way a pressurized aerosol can bursts outward when punctured. The fuel mixture in the Fuel Containers is difficult to light which is why magnesium filled igniters are required when the weapon is fired. Fire a bullet into a metal can filled with diesel or napalm and it will merely leak out the hole unless the round was an incendiary type that could possibly ignite the mixture inside. This also applies to the flame thrower Fuel Container.(Weapons of the WWII Tommy)"
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The current page is here: link

The Poles used the K pattern flamethrower during the 1944 Warsaw Uprising.
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Polish resistance fighter with K pattern flamethrower and wz.31 helmet, Warsaw, Poland, 22 Aug 1944
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Polish resistance fighter with K pattern flamethrower, Warsaw, Poland, 22 Aug 1944
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USMC flamethrower Iwo Jima
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"Tarawa–22 November 1943 Marines of 1stLt Alexander Bonnyman's assault group on top of the large Japanese bombproof shelter near the Burns-
Philp wharf. The Marine in the foreground carries an M1-1 flamethrower and
may be 1stLt Bonnyman himself."

Flamethrower operators move back up the line after refilling their tanks with fuel. Iwo Jima–1945

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Nice shot of a German flamethrower.

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"German infantry at Goldap/East Prussia, November 4, 1944."
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Australian flamethrowers

"Although first used by the German Army during WW1, the Australian Army's experience with flamethrowers really began during WW 2 when a need for this type of weapon was identified. Experience showed that a stubborn enemy, when well dug into extensive bunker systems, was extremely difficult and costly to dislodge using the more conventional small arms and grenades.

WW1 French troops using flamethrowers.

Operational and experimental reports about the development and use of flame throwers were available to Australia from our Allies and demonstrated just how effective this weapon could be, particularly in clearing out enemy from fortifications with overhead cover.
As a result, the Australian Army saw a requirement for two types of flamethrowers: a "man-pack" or portable model for the infantry and a larger "mechanised" model for mounting in armoured vehicles.

However, the then standard US Army issue flamethrower, the M1A1, was not available in quantity so, in January 1944, design work on a local-pattern flamethrower was commenced. A pilot model, manufactured mainly by British Tube Mills (Australia) Pty Ltd, was completed by the following April.

This was designated the Flamethrower, Portable, Ferret (Aust) Mark 1, the name Ferret being suggested because it would be used to ferret out enemy from bunkers.

Despite encouraging results from the initial trials, development was slowed when it was learnt that sufficient quantities of American flamethrowers would become available shortly. Nevertheless, the Ferret was further developed, with Mk2 and MC (Improved) experimental models produced. Although never accepted into service with the Australian Army, the Ferret's fate was not finally sealed until early 1947, when a series of comparative tests against the American M2‑2 flamethrower were carried out by the School of Infantry. These tests showed that the performance of both types was near identical at optimum working pressure and that there was no advantage to be gained by adopting the local-pattern Ferret.

The American man-pack flamethrower which initially became available about April 1944 which used compressed nitrogen as a propellant, compressed hydrogen an ignition gas and a battery–powered ignition system. All up, it weighed about 30kg (80 pounds) fully loaded. Only six are known to have been officially supplied before being super­seded by the improved M2-2 flamethrower.

The M2-2 with an important local modification. was a type officially adopted for service with the Australian Army. The modification was the incorporation of a special non-return valve which prevented the expulsion of fuel under pressure in the case of a rupture disc failing. Spare pressure tanks were also manufactured in Australia, on the basis of six tanks per flamethrower.

By early 1945, 162 M2-2 flamethrowers had been allocated to Australia under lend lease, allowing an issue of 36 per jungle division plus a reserve. These were supported by special truck-mounted, Rix Type K, three-stage air compressors which were allocated to each division to provide a supply of pressurised cylinders.

Flame fuel was another item which was manufactured locally. Although most mechanised and man‑pack flamethrowers could be satisfactorily operated using diesel fuel, extensive experimentation showed that there was an optimum combination of operating pressure and thickness of fuel. The optimum combination for a particular type of flamethrower was considered to be the one which gave the maximum range and most burning fuel onto the target.

While variations to the working pressure were not such a problem finding the best fuel type took a considerable of experimental effort. The result was Geletrol which was formally accepted by the General Staff as fuel thickener in October 1944. It was made by combining various weights of the dried chemical compound Aluminium Oleate with petrol, diesel or a petrol‑diesel mix. The type of fuel used and the percentage mixture depended on the intended use.

Although Aluminium Oleate had previously been used in relatively small quantities for the manufacture of specialised paints and greases, its use in flame warfare was entirely new. As a result, the sudden increase in demand stretched production facilities in Australia to the limit. Not only had the Army found a use for it in both man‑pack and mechanised flamethrowers but both the RAAF and the Royal Navy (operating in the Pacific) had also found it useful for making drop‑tank incendiary bombs.

Local manufacture was carried out by two companies: Fletcher Chemical Company of Melbourne, and Robert Corbet Pty Ltd of Sydney. By early 1945, they were supplying specially scaled tropic proof packs of the light brown, granular chemical in either 20-pound tins for mechanised flamethrowers or 2-pound tins for man-pack flamethrowers.

The man-pack flamethrower proved a very effective weapon, being used on many occasions in the later stages of the war. Just how effective can he illustrated by the actions on Tarakan of the flamethrower team from 2/48th Infantry Battalion who, on May 5, 1945, attacked a bunker from a range of about 10m. The flame went over the first bunker and into three well-camouflaged bunkers in the rear, from which the Japanese troops hastily withdrew without firing a shot! "

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You are right Tim. My bad LOL. How about this one? . Robert

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Oooooh, rarely seen color shot!

At least the aluminum oleate doesn't require heating gasoline to a couple hundred degC!

True LOL. I love the old color shots! . Robert

Another color German photo. Robert

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Now this looks a little futuristic.British Flamethrower, Portable, No.2 (nicknamed "Lifebuoy"). Robert

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Sometimes B&W photos don't convey what it really looks like. Robert

A couple more. Robert

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Japanese Model 93 and Model 100 portable flame throwers

"The portable flame thrower, a standard weapon of pillbox assault teams, has not been used extensively by the Japanese. However, the enemy is known to be equipped both with flame throwers and with flame-thrower troops, and must be considered capable of using this weapon extensively in future operations. Thus far he has used them only in isolated instances ever since the start of the present Pacific war.

Two types of portable flame thrower are standard throughout the Japanese Army—the Model 93 and the Model 100. However, since there is so little difference between the construction of the two types, they may be regarded virtually as identical weapons. Each model consists of three principal groups: fuel unit, fuel hose, and flame gun. A modification in the construction of the flame gun is the only difference between the two types of flame thrower.

[The Japanese flame thrower, showing the fuel and pressure tanks, the flame gun, and the disassembled igniting-cartridge magazine.]
The Japanese flame thrower, showing the fuel and pressure tanks, the flame gun, and the disassembled igniting-cartridge magazine.

FUEL UNIT

The flame-thrower fuel unit consists of two 15-inch cylindrical tanks, each of which is 6 inches in diameter. Hemisphere-shaped at both ends, the tanks are connected at the top and bottom by a welded pipe which permits fuel and pressure to flow evenly in both tanks so that they may operate as a single unit. The total fuel capacity is 3 1/4 gallons.

A third tank, slightly smaller but of the same shape, is included in the fuel unit, and contains nitrogen or air under pressure. This pressure cylinder is attached to the back and center of the two fuel tanks. Air pressure, which forces the fuel from the tanks into the flame gun, is let into the fuel tanks through a tube running from the top of the pressure cylinder to the top of the left fuel tank. This pressure is controlled by a manually operated needle valve, one on the top of each of these two cylinders. The top of the right-hand fuel tank is fitted with a screw cap for filling the containers with fuel.

This three-tank unit is fitted with straps which permit it to be carried on the operator's back like an infantry pack.

FUEL HOSE

The fuel hose, 45 inches long, is made of reinforced fabricated rubber tubing, with brass fittings on both ends. One end is attached to the bottom of the right-hand fuel tank, and the other is fitted to the flame gun.

FLAME GUN

The flame gun, which is either 3 or 4 feet long, consists of a fuel tube 1 inch in internal diameter. The fuel ejection handle is located near the fuel hose connection, and the 1/4-inch nozzle with the firing mechanism is attached to the other end of the tube.

The firing mechanism is a 10-chamber magazine resembling the magazine of an ordinary revolver. Loaded with 10 rimless cartridges, it rotates around the nozzle, and, when fired, ejects an ignition flash parallel to the spurt of fuel. The cartridges are loaded into the front of the magazine, and are held in place by a threaded retaining cap with holes in line with the cartridge chambers.

The fuel ejection handle, which fires the cartridges when it opens the fuel ejection valve, is in the closed position when it is parallel to the fuel tube. When this handle is turned at right angles to the tube, a continuous jet of fuel is released and a cartridge is fired, thus igniting the fuel. When the handle is returned to its position parallel to the tube, the flow of fuel stops, and the magazine revolves to place a new cartridge in the firing position.

CHARACTERISTICS AND OPERATION

The Japanese flame thrower may be carried easily. When filled, the tank assembly weighs 55 pounds. The fuel tanks will hold 3.25 gallons of fuel—a mixture of kerosene, gasoline, and fuel oil. This fluid can be thrown to a maximum range of 25 to 30 yards. The duration of a continuous discharge is from 10 to 12 seconds.

To operate the flame thrower, the operator first opens the valve on the pressure tank. The valve on the left fuel tank then is opened, and the gun is ready for firing. To fire, the operator aims the gun at his target, and turns the fuel ejection handle on the gun 90 degrees to the right. This simultaneously ejects the fuel and ignites it when the igniting cartridge fires. To shut off the fuel, the fuel ejection handle is returned to its original position.

JAPANESE FLAME-THROWER TROOPS

It is known that flame-thrower companies exist in the Japanese Army, and that Japanese infantry also have used this weapon. Division engineer regiments are equipped with from six to a dozen.

Like other armies, the Japanese Army employs flame throwers principally in assault operations against pillboxes and similar fortifications.

The Japanese also use the flame thrower as an antitank weapon. Experiments have convinced them that a flame thrower either can temporarily stop a tank and thus leave it vulnerable to destruction by explosives, or—if the weapon is used to full effect against the air intakes—can put the tank and crew permanently out of commission."
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USMC flame-thrower team, Peleliu, 1944

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"Soldier of 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Division, uses flamethrower on a pillbox occupied by Japanese, Bougainville, March 1944."
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Russian Portable Flamethrower

From a Soviet WWII-era flamethrower manual, this drawing of the Tovarnitskiy portable flamethrower is only marginally accurate. Designed by the Chemical Committee and adopted in June of 1916, the device was served by three men: a flamethrower carrier, a lance operator, and an assistant-grenadier. The hose was actually nearly seven feet long, and the handle of the nozzle was closer to five feet.

"Schematic of Knapsack Flamethrower of the First World War"

1. Reservoir.
2. Flammable liquid.
3. Compressed gas.
4. Valve.
5. Hose.
6. Lance.
7. Lance nozzle.
8. Igniter.
9. Handle for holding lance.
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Flame-thrower M/40 (Italian Lanciaflamme Spalleggiabile Model 35)
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Heres another great color shot,

"A flamethrower hurls a burst of fire at a Jap position on Bougainville Island while riflemen in foreground cover his activity. April 1944 "
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And another,

"US soldier demonstrates a flamethrower in use against a captured enemy pillbox somewhere in the western front."
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Thanks gents, some excellent resources there.
Cheers
Paul

Glad to have been of some help Paul. Robert