How did a flamethrower work in ww1?
On depressing a lever the propellant gas forced the flammable oil into and through a rubber tube and over a simple igniting wick device in a steel nozzle. The weapon projected a jet of fire and enormous clouds of smoke some 20 yards (18 m).
What did the German named Richard Fiedler develop that could help remove the enemy from their trenches?
flamethrower
In the trenches soldiers were well protected from gunfire and shelling. This encouraged a German, named Richard Fiedler, to develop a new weapon that could reach into the trenches and through many barriers. It was called the flammenwerfer, or known today as a flamethrower.
What is the basic idea of a flamethrower?
The basic idea of a flamethrower is to spread fire by launching burning fuel.
How effective are flamethrowers?
Flamethrowers are very effective at destroying troops occupying bunkers and caves. They can also be useful against tanks in the right circumstances. That doesn’t make them effective in modern warfare. They have downsides – limited range, big awkward tanks that scream out shoot me first.
What problems did flamethrowers operators have?
They were heavy, causing strain and mobility issues for its operators. Also, flamethrower operators were easily singled out as targets immediately after firing due to the visibility of the weapon. Its tendency to explode did not make things easier for its operators.
How far can a flamethrower shoot?
The portable type, carried on the backs of ground troops, had a range of about 45 yards (41 metres) and enough fuel for about 10 seconds of continuous “firing.” Larger and heavier units installed in tank turrets could reach out more than 100 yards (90 metres) and carried enough fuel for about 60 seconds of fire.
Who created the flamethrower?
Richard Fiedler
Originally invented by a German engineer, Richard Fiedler, in 1900 the flamethrower was accepted into service by the German Army in 1911 and was used by specialist assault engineer units.
How did flamethrowers evolve?
The basic concept of the flamethrower was to spread fire against an enemy position by launching a concentrated jet of burning fuel. The modern flamethrower had its genesis at the turn of the 20th Century. Two models, one larger and one smaller, were developed by Richard Fielder for the kaiser’s Imperial Army in 1901.