Why did Germans use flamethrowers?

Why did Germans use flamethrowers?

The Flammenwerfer 35, or FmW 35 (flame thrower) was a one-man German flamethrower used during World War II to clear out trenches and buildings. It could project fuel up to 25 metres from the user.

What war did they use flamethrowers?

First World War
The flamethrower, which brought terror to French and British soldiers when used by the German army in the early phases of the First World War in 1914 and 1915 (and which was quickly adopted by both) was by no means a particularly innovative weapon.

Are there flamethrowers in ww1?

The use of portable flamethrowers in combat was a First World War innovation. The German army took the lead in developing this form of warfare and remained the foremost practitioner of it throughout the war.

How did the ww1 flamethrower work?

A three-cylinder system often has two outer cylinders of flammable liquid and a central cylinder of propellant gas to maintain the balance of the soldier carrying it. The gas propels the liquid fuel out of the cylinder through a flexible pipe and then into the gun element of the flamethrower system.

How did flamethrowers change warfare in ww1?

Of all the weapons introduced during the war, the flamethrower was one of the most feared. First used by the German shock troops, the weapon proved to be an effective tool against fortifications and trenches, showering the enemy with burning liquid and flushing out troops who would be otherwise unassailable.

What were flamethrowers used for after ww1?

Modern flamethrowers were first used during the trench warfare conditions of World War I and their use greatly increased in World War II.

Why was the flamethrower important in ww1?

What were flamethrowers used for?

Flamethrowers were primarily used against battlefield fortifications, bunkers, and other protected emplacements. A flamethrower projects a stream of flammable liquid, rather than flame, which allows bouncing the stream off walls and ceilings to project the fire into unseen spaces, such as inside bunkers or pillboxes.

What was the worst gas used in WW1?

The most widely reported and perhaps, the most effective gas of the First World War was mustard gas. It often didn’t kill the person instantly, but made the victim cough up his lungs in the last two months of his life. This was the worst gas used in the war. It killed or wounded an estimated 1 million people.

What was the purpose of flamethrowers in World War 1?

Flammenwerfers were used in groups of six, each apparatus serviced by two men. The main intent was to clear away forward defenders at the beginning of an attack, followed by an infantry assault. The operators of the Flammenwerfers themselves lived a most hazardous existence on several levels.

What impact did flamethrowers have on WW1?

The Flamethrowers had a large impact on the war. The weapon brought terror to French and British soldiers at the thought of being burned alive by such a weapon. It could also be shot into trenches luring soldiers out to be shot down on the spot.

What was the most useful weapon in WW1?

Mustard gas was the most widely used, and possibly the most effective, chemical weapon in WW1. It was first used in Germany, in July of 1917.