Portable flame thrower operations in World War II

This is an account of flame thrower employment and the numerous problems involved. The volume purports to present: a survey of flame warfare prior to World War II; a brief account of the flame weapons developed by both allied and enemy powers before and during World War II; the characteristics of the various types which were developed; what types were available to both allied and enemy powers; when and in what quantities the various models arrived in the theaters; the development of fuels; an account of the combat employment of the weapon in the theaters and areas where American troops were involved; and the problems of training, tactics, logistics, maintenance, fuels and propellants. Enough of the ground combat situation is included to indicate whether flame targets were encountered and, if so, the nature of the targets and how they affected the use of the weapon. An account of enemy employment of flame throwers is also included. It will be noted that the appendices include selected documents on flame thrower training directives and tactical doctrine.