Kleinflammenwerfer

Kleinflammenwerfer
Type	Flamethrower
Place of origin	German Empire
Service history
In service	1912-1918
Used by	German Empire, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria
Wars	First World War
Production history
Variants	M.1912, M.1914, M.1915 (Early/Late), M.1916, M.1917
Specifications
Crew	2 Operators, 1 Officer, 1 Assistant/Grenadier
Effective firing range	18 meters (60 feet)
Maximum firing range	Up to 32 meters (105 feet)
Feed system	Fuel - fuel oil, 15.8 liters (4.2 US gallons), M.1915: 18.9 liters (5 US gallons)

The first series of German man-portable flamethrower was called the Kleinflammenwerfer ('small flamethrower') or Kleif. Fuel oil was stored in a large vertical, cylindrical backpack container. High-pressure propellant was typically stored in another, smaller container within the fuel tank or attached externally depending on model. Most iterations of the Kleinflammenwerfer used a long hose which was covered in linen and corrugated by steel wire to prevent kinks and punctures. The hose connected to the fuel tank and fed into a lance tube with an igniting device at the nozzle. With the turn of a valve at the tank, the propellant forced the fuel through the hose and towards the lance. When the lance operator was ready, a second "firing" valve was opened, sending the fuel oil to the igniting device at the nozzle and propelling the burning fuel oil outward. The flamethrower was operated by two soldiers, one carrying the fuel and propellant tanks, another wielding the lance. Contrary to popular culture, the Kleinflammenwerfer was too unwieldy to be used effectively by a single operator. The Wechselapparat, a smaller and more refined replacement for the Kleif, was introduced in May 1917. The Kleif would see service until the end of World War I.

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 a squad of four soldiers, with two operators controlling the flamethrower, one officer, and a grenadier. The last and most improved iterations of the Kleinflammenwerfer had a range of around 30–35 meters. 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.

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. The initial models had the chance of malfunctions which could cause a horrific explosion. Chances of explosion were greatly enhanced by poor maintenance (leaking couplings and hoses) and the operation of damaged apparatuses nearby other active flamethrowers. Such damage could involve bullet and shrapnel punctures leading to leakage of the fuel oil tank. Another risk mentioned by the Germans were lance operators being killed while firing the weapon, possibly causing the flamethrower to spin around to accidentally douse friendly forces.

Despite its effectiveness, the Kleinflammenwerfer was a controversial weapon due to its indiscriminate nature and the horrific injuries it could cause. The weapon was rumored to have been used in civilian towns at the start of the war to burn villages, possibly as propaganda suggesting war crimes. 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. Along with it, many troops initially criticized the weapon for its frequent malfunctions due to the conditions within the trenches. Later training and improvements would help negate these problems.

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). 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. It was initially stationed at Poznan Fortress, where it was going to be used as a tool of defense. At the end of 1914, the first flamethrower “special force” was formed by Captain Bernhard Reddemann, made up of 48 men, mainly volunteers and firefighters. The force was called the "Flammenwerfer-Reddemann Department", and they were integrated into the 6th Reserve Corps of the German Army.

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.

The Kleinflammenwerfer was then deployed on a large scale on July 30, 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres at Hooge. It was the first German flamethrower attack against British troops, commencing at 3:15am. A second wave of flamethrower pioneers were stopped by rapid fire but attempts to counter-attack failed and most of the captured trenches were consolidated by the Germans.

Variants

M.1912

The Kleif M.1912 was the first successful production model of the Kleinflammenwerfer. The weapon featured a single vertical steel tank with a threaded protective cap atop it to house the pressure gauge. The propellant and fuel tanks were both internally integrated. A telescoping lance was directly fastened to the tank on a vertical swivel connection. The lance could support a straightened nozzle, or an angled nozzle to attack over the top of obstacles and for defense. Two soldiers were required to operate the flamethrower. One soldier carried and aimed the entire weapon, while the other stood just behind to release the pressure valves used to fire. The M.1912 had a range of about 18 meters (60 feet) and weighed about 32 kilograms (71 pounds).

M.1914

The Kleif M.1914 was a conversion of the M.1912. This model implemented an outflow pipe with brass stopcock valve to the swivel mount, a rubber hose, and a lance outfitted with a stopcock and igniter for firing. The lance design made for this weapon would subsequently be used and modified over the course of the entire war for all portable German flamethrowers. For the first time, one soldier carried the tank and the other fired the lance. The M.1914 had the same range and weight as its predecessor.

M.1915 (Early/Late)

By the time the Kleif M.1915 made its debut, the "special force" of flamethrowers had become the 3rd Guard Pioneer Battalion. With access to specialized workshops for flamethrower construction and modification, the M.1915 entered service alongside the Kleif M.1914 with an entirely new design of its own. This variant reimagined the idea of the fuel tank to incorporate a new external propellant tank, thus making its profile shorter and better suited for narrow area of operations. Both an early and late model of this weapon existed. Initially the outflow pipe hung a rubber hose and stopcock over the shoulder of the fuel tank carrier. By early 1916, the improved version replaced this system with a curved, rigid pipe and stopcock attached to a bracket. Otherwise, the only difference of the late model was the addition of a protective cap for the propellant tank. Both renditions had a weight of 31 kilograms (70 pounds) and a range of roughly 25 meters (82 feet). The late model would see use as late as early 1917.

M.1916

The Kleif M.1916 was a further development of the M.1914 design with most of its appearance being the same. Notable differences to the tank design included a new hinged protective cap, needle pressure valve, external propellant feed line, and a fixed outflow pipe replacing the swivel mount. Another unique feature to distinguish the weapon is by the "pronged" feet on the bottom end of the canister, made for setting the weapon down. The M.1916 weighed about 30 kilograms (68 pounds) and had a variable range between 22 meters (72 feet) to 32 meters (105 feet) depending on nozzle size.

M.1917

The last rendition of the Kleinflammenwerfer before the development of the Wechselapparat. This model further improved the M.1916 by adding a larger fuel filling pipe, repositioned the external propellant feed line to the right side of the canister to prevent previous issues, and added rounded feet to the bottom of the tank. Performance and weight were otherwise identical to the previous version. Eventually this weapon would be reclassified as a medium flamethrower (mittlere Flammenwerfer), but kept the term "Kleif" regardless.

Dopplekleif (double small flamethrower)

A unique variant of the Kleinflammenwerfer utilizing two fuel canisters and a Grossflammenwerfer lance. This flamethrower required a team of 7-8 soldiers to function properly. It was only deployed against the toughest fortifications, such as barricades and strongpoints. The Dopplekleif was also used to provide tactical smokescreens from the plumes of burning oil it created. The weapon appears to have been used with both the M.1915 and M.1917 platforms.

Gallery

• 
  Kleif M.1912 with the angled nozzle
• 
  Kleif M.1916 in a French postcard. It is often misidentified as the "Flammenwerfer M.16" of Austrian origin.
• 
  A German flamethrower attack at Verdun with a late-model Kleif M.1915.
• 
  Training with a Kleif M.1917
• 
  Flamethrower presentation for officers. A Kleif M.1917 is used.
• 
  A Dopplekleif M.1915 (late model) squad.
• 
  A Dopplekleif M.1915 (late model) posing in a trench.

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.

See also

• List of flamethrowers

References

• Koch, Fred (2004). Flamethrowers of the German Army 1914-1945. Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 9780764302640.
• Reddemann, Bernhard (1933). "History of the German Flamethrower troop" (PDF) – via University of Stuttgart.
• Wictor, Thomas (2007). German Flamethrower Pioneers of World War I. Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 9780764327728.

External links

• History of German Flamethrower Development