Kleinflammenwerfer

The first German man-portable flamethrower was called the Kleinflammenwerfer ('small flamethrower') or Kleif. Fuel was stored in a large vertical, cylindrical backpack container. High-pressure propellant was stored in another, smaller container attached to the fuel tank. A long hose connected the fuel tank to a lance tube with an igniting device at the nozzle. The propellant forced the fuel through the hose and out of the nozzle at high speed when a valve was opened. The igniting device at the nozzle set fire to the fuel as it sprayed out. The flamethrower was operated by two soldiers, one carrying the fuel and propellant tanks, another wielding the lance (though it was 31.8 kg it could be operated by one soldier). Wex, a replacement for the Kleif, was introduced in 1917 after the third battle of Ypres.

The Kleinflammenwerfer was created by and developed by Richard Fiedler, alongside the Grossflammenwerfer, which was a larger flamethrower.

Configuration

The weapon was typically used by teams of two or three soldiers, with one operator controlling the flamethrower and the others providing covering fire. The Kleinflammenwerfer had a range of around 30–35 meters.[1]  It was an effective weapon for clearing out enemy fortifications, as it could quickly and easily destroy wooden structures, as well as causing serious damage to enemy soldiers.[2]

Drawbacks

The Kleinflammenwerfer had its limitations and risks. Its range was relatively short compared to other infantry weapons, making the operator vulnerable to enemy fire. Additionally, the operator had to be cautious of the flammable fuel they carried, as any damage to the tanks could result in the tanks exploding.

Despite its effectiveness, the Kleinflammenwerfer was a controversial weapon due to its indiscriminate nature and the horrific injuries it could cause.[1] The weapon was often used against civilian populations, causing significant damage and destruction to buildings and homes. Additionally, the psychological impact of the flamethrower was significant, as the sight of flames shooting towards them could cause panic and demoralization among enemy troops.[2] Along with it, many troops initially criticized the weapon for its frequent malfunctions due to the conditions within the trenches.[3]

History

Development

Fiedler came up with this idea of flamethrowers in 1901, and submitted some evaluation models to the German Army in 1905 to the Prussian Engineer Committee (Preusisches Ingenieur-Komitee).[1] In 1909, he established further changes and improvements, such as a single cylinder design, thus developing the Kleinflammenwerfer. By 1912, the device was mainly perfected, and they were approved for usage in 1914.[4] It was initially stationed at Poznan Fortress, where it was going to be used as a tool of defense.[5] At the end of 1914, the first flamethrower “special force” was formed, made up of 48 men, mainly volunteers and firefighters. The force was called the “Flammenwerfer-Reddeman Department, ” [1] and they were integrated into the 6th Reserve Corps of the German Army.[1]

Service History

The Kleinflammenwerfer was first used against French troops in October 1914. Reports of the weapon’s effectiveness stated that French soldiers ran away from the device, out on to open field, where they were subsequently mowed down by German machine gunners.[2]

The Kleinflammenwerfer was then deployed on a large scale on July 30, 1915, at the Battle of Ypres. It was the first German flamethrower attack against British troops. A second wave of flamethrower squadrons was stopped by rapid fire but attempts to counter-attack failed and most of the captured trenches were consolidated by the Germans.[6]

The Kleinflammenwerfer was used up to 1917, where it was replaced by the much lighter and portable one-man Wechselapparat.

Tactical Use

The Kleinflammenwerfer was primarily used for close-quarters combat and trench warfare. It was particularly effective in clearing enemy trenches and fortified positions, as the intense flames could quickly neutralize or demoralize enemy soldiers.[2]

See also

References
  1. Reddemann, Bernhard (1933). "History of the German Flamethrower troop" (PDF). History of the German Flamethrower troop: 12 – via University of Stuttgart.
  2. Reddemann, Bernhard (1933). "History of the German Flamethrower troop" (PDF). History of the German Flamethrower troop: 13 – via University of Stuttgart.
  3. Reddemann, Bernhard (1933). "History of the German Flamethrower troop" (PDF). History of the German Flamethrower troop: 10 – via University of Stuttgart.
  4. Reddemann, Bernhard (1933). "History of the German Flamethrower troop" (PDF). History of the German Flamethrower troop: 8 – via University of Stuttgart.
  5. Reddemann, Bernhard (1933). "History of the German Flamethrower troop" (PDF). History of the German Flamethrower troop: 9 – via University of Stuttgart.
  6. Edmonds, J.E (1925). "Military Operations France and Belgium, 1914: Antwerp, La Bassée, Armentières, Messines and Ypres October–November 1914". Military Operations France and Belgium, 1914: Antwerp, La Bassée, Armentières, Messines and Ypres October–November 1914. 2 – via History of the Great War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence.
  1. Reddemann, Bernhard. (1933). History of the German Flamethrower troop . p. 11. https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf
  2. Reddemann, Bernhard. (1933). History of the German Flamethrower troop . p. 13. https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf
  3. Reddemann, Bernhard. (1933). History of the German Flamethrower troop . p. 10. https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf
  4. Reddemann, Bernhard. (1933). History of the German Flamethrower troop . p. 8. https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf
  5. Reddemann, Bernhard. (1933). History of the German Flamethrower troop . p. 9. https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf
  6. Edmonds, J. E. (1925). Military Operations France and Belgium, 1914: Antwerp, La Bassée, Armentières, Messines and Ypres October–November 1914. History of the Great War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Vol. II. London: Macmillan.
  • Fred Koch. Flamethrowers of the German Army 1914-1945.


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