Flame thrower

“ Action. Fuel is propelled into the target by a charge of highly compressed air or nitrogen. As fuel leaves the gun of the M2-2 portable flame thrower (Fig 1) , it is ignited by contact with flame from charges of incendiary mix held in an expendable ignition cylinder. ”

“ One man carries and fires each flame thrower. Well-armed assistants accompany firers to give close protection and to serve as emergency replacements. Whereas the M1A1 portable flame thrower may require the help of an assistant to open the pressure-tank valve, the M2-2 flame thrower pressure-tank valve is located within reach of the firer and is operated by him without assistance. ”

“ When the weapon is fired at small openings in a bunker or pillbox, the firer and other members of the assault squad should not approach closer than 7 to 10 yards from the target.
b. Other effective ranges.
(1) Open fields of fire. When thickened gasoline is used, portable flame throwers may fire with considerable effect as far as 40 yards under normal conditions, depending on wind direction and wind speed. Under the same conditions, liquid fuel maybe effective at 20 yards. Results and accuracy are not as great as at point-blank range. ”

“ Of the incendiary materials the least valuable is the flame thrower. In the Chemical Warfare Service it has been the habit for a long while not to mention the flame thrower at all, unless questions were asked about it. ”

“ If compressed air is to be used, and if any grease, oil, or flame thrower fuel is detected by sense of smell or sight within pressure tank and valve assemblies or cylinders, return tanks or cylinders for cleaning to the appropriate third-echelon maintenance agency of Chemical Warfare Service. ”

“ The most popular mortar was the 60-mm., which was very mobile and especially suitable for use in close terrain. This mortar fired an illuminating shell which was used constantly for night defense, but its base plate also tended to sink into the ground.
Flame throwers were employed with very good effect in reducing strongly fortified positions. The M2–2 flame thrower was an excellent incendiary weapon against bamboo thickets and shacks. ”

“ The apparatus for charging two pressure tanks by the use of cylinders consists of a filling line, two charging lines, and two cylinders. (Fig 23) The filling line and charging lines are obtained from the service kit. (Par 48) Plugs are provided to close off either half of the filling line when only one flame-thrower tank group is to be charged.
(4) Warning. Oxygen is sometimes shipped in cylinders having the same threads as nitrogen cylinders. If oxygen not mixed with nitrogen, as in air, is introduced into the fuel tanks of the portable flame thrower, a violent explosion may result. ”

“ Men convicted of offenses in other regiments were transferred either for a time or permanently and were forced under threat of death in the most hazardous enterprises and to carry out the most dangerous work. Taken all in all the flame thrower was one of the greatest failures among the many promising devices tried out on a large scale in the war. ”

“ Areas where paint has worn off should be touched up with fresh paint. The weapon should be stored in a dry place. Moisture must not be allowed to enter fuel, ingredients of fuel, or containers of ignition cylinders.
42. DUST AND MUD. Keep all possible dust, earth, and mud out of the flame thrower; particles may interfere with the operation of spring case, valves, bearings, and pressure regulator. Store weapons and auxiliary equipment in closed chests and boxes when not in use. ”

“ Do not permit flames, sparks, or ignition from the flame thrower or other source to touch hose.
j. Blowing out dust. Immediately before coupling an attachment to the pressure tank or cylinder valve, open it for an instant to blow out any dust or dirt. Never stand where gas or dirt may be blown into the eyes or face. If the valve is difficult to open, apply more force gradually. ”

“ Atomizer hole. If atomizer hole is clogged, clean with fine wire. (Par 52 i)
76. IGNITION HEAD. a. Description and functioning. (Fig 55) The ignition head ignites the fuel when the flame thrower is fired. It is mounted on the fore part of the barrel. It consists of:
(1) Ignition-head body, which includes half of the front grip. Three set screws serve to tighten the ignition-head body to the barrel. The ignition-head body is made of aluminum.
(2) Trigger and trigger bearing, held between the ignition-head body and the coverplate by the trigger screw. ”

“ Carry wrench with large enough opening to unscrew filling plugs from tops of fuel tanks and to tighten plugs after filling.
(4) Carry extra ignition cylinders.
b. Return empty pressure tank and valve assembly along with empty fuel can and wrench on packboard to flame thrower servicing point.
c. If a supply of flame thrower tank groups is available, they may be preferred to the packboard method of transportation. Tank groups are easy to carry, and a filled and charged tank group can replace an emptied one as quickly as packboard method can be used to service flame thrower. ”

“ While it does not billow around corners as does liquid fuel, thickened fuel strikes the target with force enough to ricochet inside. It clings to skin and clothing while burning. It also has excellent incendiary effects. The initial flame and smoke are less from thickened fuel than from liquid fuel, but the lower visibility, greater range, and much longer burning period of thickened fuel compensate for its smaller screening effect. Liquid fuels are easier to pour when filling than are thickened fuels. ”

“ SCOPE. Part Three contains information for the guidance of the personnel of the using organizations responsible for the maintenance (1st and 2nd echelon) of this equipment. It contains information needed for the performance of the scheduled lubrication and preventive maintenance services as well as descriptions of the major systems and units and their functions in relation to other components of the equipment.
Section XII SPECIAL ORGANIZATIONAL TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT 48. SERVICE KIT. One service kit for portable flame thrower M2-2 will be furnished for each six M2-2 portable flame throwers. ”

“ Maintenance of carrier. Keep carrier dry and clean. If flame thrower becomes wet or muddy, clean and dry carrier thoroughly. Store in a dry place. If rotted, mildewed, or damaged, replace affected parts. If cord frays or breaks, use special seine cord from service kit as replacement. ”

“ Care must be exercised to avoid putting pressure on the projecting ends of the matches except when firing the weapon. Ignition cylinders and cylinder containers should be protected against shock. Boxes and cans containing cylinders must not be thrown or dropped. ”

“ The air compressor may be destroyed by a similar procedure.
c. Fuel. Burn.
d. Mixing apparatus. Containers and filling lines may be rendered useless by ax or sledge blows, or by small-arms fire.
e. Thickener. Cans of thickener should be broken open. Contents should be thrown into a fire or into a body of water.
f. Ignition cylinders. Burn to destroy. Personnel should stay several yards from the fire because the cylinders ignite with a slight detonation.
46
PART THREE
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS Section XI GENERAL 47. ”

“ Over the surface of the wall detector wires and charged cables looped and hung. At odd intervals automatic flame-throwers thrust their nozzles over the wall above and swept the base of the wall clear of any life that might have come close.
"Those flame things can cause us trouble," Rhes said. "That one covers the area where you want to break in."
"It'll be no problem," Jason assured him. "It may look like it is firing a random pattern, but it's really not. It varies a simple sweep just enough to fool an animal, but was never meant to keep men out. Look for yourself. ”

“ The bullet—a small, thin metal shell, filled with a secret chemical and liquid oxygen—went wild. It struck the wall, some feet to the left of the fireplace, and instantly the wood burst into vivid flame. Flesh would crisp to nothing, solid stone would crumble, metal would gutter and run down, under that awful incandescence. ”

“ Perception and trigger-pressure were instantaneous with the flash of its discharge. A running, stooping figure pitched headforemost before the stab of flame from the rifle.
Immediately a vicious fire from the German parapet answered this impertinence. The slayer lay still as death, listening with painfully acute perception to the ugly phat! of bullets in the earth around him. A bomb fell, burst with a deafening report and a blinding flash of flame so close that he marvelled at his escape. By an effort of will he choked down the cough that the fumes provoked.
Rifle-fire at night is infectious. ”

“ Now and then a loud sound, resembling the discharge of artillery at a distance, would come booming through the air, indicative of the fall of some heavy part of the ancient building, and then the flame would be smothered for a moment, and dense volumes of smoke terrifically red from the glare beneath, would roll over the sky, to be succeeded again by myriads of sparks, which would, in their turns, give place to the long tongues of flame which shot up from the fallen mass, as it became more thoroughly ignited. ”

“ Here and there a red fire glowed where the guards were posted; now and then a shower of sparks leaped up into the air as a fresh log was thrown upon the ashes; and a bright flame would glisten on the barrel of a rifle and make ruddy the dark faces of the watchmen. ”

“ Suddenly, from the bush in front, breaks forth a puff of smoke, followed by another and another, till a regular line of fire bars their progress. The horses start and swerve, terrified by the detonation, as the bullets come whizzing about their riders’ ears with a horribly near and suggestive “sing.” One volley in return—for as yet they can see no one—and the order is given to seek cover, for, crack! crack! crack! on every side now the jets of flame are belching forth from the thick green bush, and it is evident that the enemy is in strong force. ”

“ Then you want a forestick on the andirons; and upon these build the fire of lighter stuff. In this way you have at once a cheerful blaze, and the fire gradually eats into the solid mass, sinking down with increasing fervor; coals drop below, and delicate tongues of flame sport along the beautiful grain of the forestick. There are people who kindle a fire underneath. But these are conceited people, who are wedded to their own way. I suppose an accomplished incendiary always starts a fire in the attic, if he can. ”

“ Then it disappeared, and the fire-ball climbed suddenly into the night sky, rolling and twisting in on itself. A gantry tipped and fell out of the flame with ponderous slowness, twisted and melted before it crashed to the pad. ”

“ The black smoke, interfulgent with tortuous tongues of lurid fire, rolled in immense volumes over her!—the red flames darted up her masts, along the spars and rigging, and gushed in swirling sheets from her ports and bulwarks, while in their fierce gleams, the billows that ramped and raved about her, glowed like a huge seething cauldron of molten iron, and the gloomy clouds that lowered above were tinged in their ragged borders, as with blood. Occasionally the jarring thunder of her cannon, as they became heated to explosion, announced to us the progress of the insidious destroyer. ”

“ The flames still continued raging in the vessel, and as the yawl was still endangered by being within half a league of her, she stood a little to windward. Not long subsequent to this, the fire reached the magazine; and then to describe the thundering explosion which ensued is impossible. A thick cloud intercepted the light of the sun, and amidst the terrific darkness nothing but pieces of flaming timber, projected aloft into the air, could be seen, threatening to crush to atoms in their fall, numbers of miserable wretches still struggling with the agonies of death. ”

“ Therefore, just as the tramp had mounted above the line of vision into the chimney, the genius, entering the room, threw the gunpowder into the fire, which instantly exploded with a great flash and smoke, blowing cinders and embers all over the room and filling it with dense, black, sulphurous smoke, burning the face and hands of the genius considerably, and frightening the elderly people out of their wits. ”

“ The flaring torch he dashed full at a grisly muzzle that snapped and slavered at his legs. To their nostrils the singe of burned hair wafted. Yelping, the beast swerved back.
But others ran in and in at them; and now the torch was failing. Both of them shouted and struck; and the revolver stabbed the night with fire.
Pandemonium rose in the forest. Cries, howls, long wails and snuffing barks blent with the clicking of ivories, the pad-pad-pad of feet, the crackling of the underbrush. ”

“ Where the fire has taken hold fairly the flames are fierce, and showers of sparks fall like streams of gold. Sometimes a dull crack gives warning of the fall of a long-dead giant; and the burning mass leans slowly over, and then comes down with a crash, while the curious bullocks, which have poked as near as they dare to the strange scene, fling round and lumber off in a heavy gallop, heads down and tails up. From stump to stump flit the little black figures of the workers, standing out clearly sometimes, by the light of a blaze so fierce that to face it is scarcely possible ”

“ If, by means of a blowpipe with a very fine orifice, you direct a current of air through the middle of the flame, you project a portion of the flame in the direction of the blast. The jet thus formed appears like a tongue of fire, blueish, cylindrical, straight, and very long; the current of air occupies its interior. This flame is enveloped on all sides by an almost invisible light, which, extending beyond the blue flame, forms a jet, A ́ B, very little luminous, but possessing an extremely high temperature. ”