Flamethrowers
| Factions | Flamethrowers | Icon | Classes | Fuel | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Burn Over Time | |||||
 VC |
 LPO-50 Flamethrower |
 |
 Engineer |
100 | 5-15 | 45 |
 US |
 M9A1 Flamethrower |
 |
Engineer |
100 | 5-15 | 45 |
Flamethrowers are specialized assault weapons that project a stream of burning fuel to attack enemies in cover, fortified positions, or dense vegetation at short ranges. They are typically carried as a backpack system (fuel plus propellant) with a handheld projector/igniter, though mechanized flamethrowers mount similar systems on armored vehicles. In the Vietnam War era, flamethrowers were used primarily for bunker reduction and close-in “flame support,” where direct-fire small arms were less effective against prepared positions.
DEFINITION & CHARACTERISTICS
A “flamethrower” is defined by its purpose and effect: it launches a pressurized stream of flammable liquid (often thickened fuel) and ignites it as it leaves the projector, producing a sustained jet of flame rather than a single explosive blast. While exact designs vary, most infantry flamethrowers share the same core elements—fuel storage, a propellant/pressure system, and an ignition-equipped nozzle—optimized for short-range assault tasks.
- Common traits
- Role: Short-range assault support for clearing bunkers, trenches, fighting positions, and hard cover; also used for psychological shock and area denial in confined spaces.
- Typical “ammunition”: Thickened fuel mixtures and a propellant/pressure source; mechanized systems carry larger fuel stores.
- Typical fire modes: Trigger-controlled bursts or sustained jets; practical employment emphasizes controlled, short bursts due to limited fuel.
- Typical “feeding”: Backpack tanks (man-portable) or vehicle-mounted tanks (mechanized).
- Common engagement ranges: Short-range direct fire; effectiveness is highly dependent on line of sight, wind, and the target’s cover/structure.
- Notable tradeoffs: Powerful effects against prepared positions at close range versus heavy load, limited endurance, high visibility, and increased risk to the operator (especially under fire).
HISTORY
Flamethrowers in modern military use emerged in the early 20th century and became closely associated with assaulting trenches, bunkers, and fortified positions where conventional small arms struggled to dislodge defenders. Over time, they appeared in both infantry-portable and vehicle-mounted forms, with designs focused on keeping recoil manageable (through pressure systems rather than explosive propulsion) and maximizing short-range effect against cover and enclosed spaces.
In the Vietnam War era, flamethrowers remained a specialized tool rather than a routine infantry weapon. U.S. forces employed man-portable flamethrowers for bunker and fighting-position reduction, and armored units also fielded mechanized flamethrowers such as the M132 “Zippo” variant used in mounted combat. Captured examples documented in theater show that Soviet-pattern backpack flamethrowers (e.g., LPO-50 types) were also present, underscoring that flame weapons appeared on multiple sides in limited, role-specific use.
Sources
- https://www.britannica.com/technology/flame-thrower Flame thrower | Encyclopaedia Britannica
- https://www.bulletpicker.com/pdf/FM-20-33.pdf FM 20-33: Combat Flame (1970) | U.S. Army Field Manual (scan)
- https://archive.org/details/milmanual-tm-3-1040-204-14-flamethrower-portable-m2a1-7 TM 3-1040-204-14: Flamethrower, Portable, M2A1-7 (1973) | U.S. Army Technical Manual (archive)
- https://archive.org/details/CMHPub90-17-1 Mounted Combat in Vietnam (CMH Pub 90-17-1) | U.S. Army Center of Military History (archive)
- https://steelsoldiers.com/attachments/flame-thrower-ringquist-pt3-pdf.541922/ U.S. Army Flamethrower Vehicles (Part Three) | Army Chemical Review (PDF host)
- https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C382950 Captured Russian LPO-50 flamethrower (photo record) | Australian War Memorial
- https://www.forgottenweapons.com/us-m2m2a1-flamethrower/ US M2/M2A1 Flamethrower (background and service context) | Forgotten Weapons