Flammenwerfer 41 (FmW 41)

History

All major powers during World War II used some sort of portable flamethrower (or "Flamenwerfer") during the conflict - developed and adopted by the Germans in 1935 The "Flamenwerfer 35" type is a single-user evolution of the team-based three-person system of World War I, first used by the German army against the French in 1914. The FmW 35 series includes a backpack with a two-box configuration with a cable to connect to a handheld projector.

One tank holds fuel, while the other holds the required propellant. Both are combined on a projector and ignited using a hydrogen-based system. While German troops were effective in testing and early war operations, they soon learned that the relentless Soviet winter was destroying many of their mature weapons, including the FmW 35 series - ignition became a major problem. Additionally, the entire fully charged system weighs nearly 80 pounds and is carried by a single operator, a bulky weapon.

By contrast, flamethrowers are one of the ultimate psychological tools of warthat is, if you can get within enemy range.

In June 1941, with the invasion of the Soviet Union, the German army opened a second front in the East, the "Eastern Front". This also saw the introduction of a new streamlined flamethrower system to replace the ageing FmW 35 series in the "Flammenwerfer 41". The FmW 41 retains the dual tank arrangement on the operator's back (secured by traditional straps) and generally follows the same form and function of the previous design. Pulling a line from both tanks into the portable projector system and flushing through the nozzle found ignition at the exit point. Early forms retained the same hydrogen-based ignition system, although experience in the harsh winter of 1941 soon forced the adoption of a cartridge-based ignition system in 1942.

This new ignition system proved to be more reliable at expected operating temperatures and performed better elsewhere. Compared to the FmW 35's 80 pounds, the streamlined tank also reduced the weight of the system by 63 pounds, and the range was only marginally improved to around 30 yards.

As with every battlefield flame thrower in war, the operator can fire a direct beam at the target/target area, or bend the beam to "rain" fire at enemy positions. Against flammable fortifications, flamethrowers can burn down buildings in minutes, as in the vast Russian countryside.

The weapon has also been shown to help flush away stubborn defenders, with flames reaching every crevice when firing into tight spaces like cover.

The FmW 41 was used in all major German-Soviet skirmishes on the Eastern Front, such as Stalingrad, until the end of the war until 1945. Production spanned from 1941 until the end of hostilities in May. Another, albeit less dramatic, variant came just in time - a single-explosive paratrooper model known as the Einstoss Portable Flamethrower.

From a 1.5 second burst, this weapon can reach 30 meters, providing a very specialized weapon for light infantry. Production of this variant is said to have been extremely limited in the context of World War II, which coincided with an overall reduction in Germany's reliance on paratroopers.

On the battlefield, FmW 41 operators suffer from the same limitations and dangers as FmW 35 flamethrower infantry - their armor can be penetrated by long-range rifle fire. Contrary to Hollywood's vision of pierced flamethrower tanks, real flamethrowers don't tend to catch fire when hit. The escape pressure pushes the operator forward, and the spewed fuel has the potential to catch fire just not as gloriously as Hollywood envisions. Incendiary rounds have the best value when igniting a fuel supply, these rounds are not issued to standard frontline rifles by default.

Due to its unique projector and backpack armor, the FmW 41 operator was clearly a target on the horizon, so steps were taken to ensure their livelihood, including major modifications to the projector element to make it appear more like a service rifle. Regular protection of flamethrower infantry has become common practice.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service

1941

Origins

Nazi Germany

Categories

Portable Flamethrower

Manufacturer

National Factory - Nazi Germany

Operator

Nazi Germany

Roles

Special weapons for specific characters on the battlefield.

Dimensions and Weights

Curb Weight

63.93 lbs

29.00 kg

Attractions

Not applicable.

Action

Hydrogen ignition; Cartridge ignition

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

Not applicable

Circle/Feed

1 x 3 gallon compound fuel tank; 1 x nitrogen fuel tank

POWER

Maximum efficiency. Arrived

105 feet

(32 m | 35 yards)

Variants

Flammenwerfer 41 - Base series designation FmW 41 - Abbreviation Einstoss Flammenwerfertragbar - Portable single-shot paratrooper variant in limited quantities.