The Flamethrower: The Fire Breathing Terror
Facts about the WWI Flamethrower
Richard Fieldler was the developer of the flamethrower used in World War 1. The Germans called it the Flammenwerfer. They where the first to use flamethrowers in battle. The flamethrower was made as and easy way to clear out enemy trenches The first notable use of the Flammenwerfer came in a surprise attack launched by the Germans against the British at Hooge in Flanders (Location in map bellow). Men with flamethrowers where often in groups of six.
The Flamethrower consisted of a tank of fuel that shot out of a hose that was then ignited. The British developed their own models of the flamethrower. They developed two primary models for the Sommes offensive. They placed the flame units only 60 yards from the German trenches in an effort to clear them out of the trenches.
Richard Fieldler was the developer of the flamethrower used in World War 1. The Germans called it the Flammenwerfer. They where the first to use flamethrowers in battle. The flamethrower was made as and easy way to clear out enemy trenches The first notable use of the Flammenwerfer came in a surprise attack launched by the Germans against the British at Hooge in Flanders (Location in map bellow). Men with flamethrowers where often in groups of six.
The Flamethrower consisted of a tank of fuel that shot out of a hose that was then ignited. The British developed their own models of the flamethrower. They developed two primary models for the Sommes offensive. They placed the flame units only 60 yards from the German trenches in an effort to clear them out of the trenches.
Impact and Consequences of the Flamethrower
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The leaders of France and Great Britain had their armies develop their own flamethrower models to combat the German models. They never had any documented attacks but did defend their trenches by placing them in rows along the trenches. This would prevent any attacks and had an intimidation factor. |
Civilians had to worry about their property catching on fire and losing land, family members and animals. Since the flamethrower caught things on fire very easily which would be bad for houses made of wood. All the belongings in the house would be burned along with anyone in it.The consequences of the flamethrower where that it unnecessarily burned down may buildings, many of which were civilian homes. A positive effect of the flamethrower was that now that people could set things on fire form a distance. Another consequence was that people who where killed by it died a horrible and painful death. Germany was the country that did the most damage with it.
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Thomas Dye |
Although the flamethrower is a system depends on sprayed flammable fluid that is then ignited the modern equivalent gets the same job done. The equivalent that is still in use today is Dragon's Breath shotgun shells. These shells do the same thing as the World War I flamethrower but much safer for the user and in short bursts. Instead of using flammable liquids Dragon's Breath uses a special mixture of magnesium in the shot and or powder of the shell. The mixture is ignited when the shot is fired and the flames spread a distance up to 100 feet. Not only is fire going down range but shot that would also be found in regular ammunition. Dragon's Breath is commonly chambered in 12 gauge. Dragon's breath is used more in home defense than militarily. Civilians use it as an intimidation method and a less lethal way to use fire than a flamethrower. It can also be used as a secondary flare. Dragon's Breath is and improvement from the WWI flamethrower because it shoots fire without fuel and in short fast bursts.
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