Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|German infantry weapon}} {{Italic title}} [[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 104-0669, Übung deutscher Soldaten mit Flammenwerfer.jpg|300px|thumb]] 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 [[Fireteam|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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Reddemann |first=Bernhard |date=1933 |title=History of the German Flamethrower troop |url=https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf |journal=History of the German Flamethrower troop |pages=12 |via=University of Stuttgart}}</ref>  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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Reddemann |first=Bernhard |date=1933 |title=History of the German Flamethrower troop |url=https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf |journal=History of the German Flamethrower troop |pages=13 |via=University of Stuttgart}}</ref> == 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 [[Coupling|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 [[Dousing|douse]] friendly forces. Despite its effectiveness, the ''Kleinflammenwerfer'' was a controversial weapon due to its indiscriminate nature and the horrific injuries it could cause.<ref name=":0" /> 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 crime|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.<ref name=":1" /> Along with it, many troops initially criticized the weapon for its frequent malfunctions due to the conditions within the [[Trench warfare|trenches]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Reddemann |first=Bernhard |date=1933 |title=History of the German Flamethrower troop |url=https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf |journal=History of the German Flamethrower troop |pages=10 |via=University of Stuttgart}}</ref> Later training and improvements would help negate these problems. == History == === Development === [[Richard Fiedler|Fiedler]] came up with this idea of flamethrowers in 1901, and submitted some evaluation models to the [[Imperial German Army|German Army]] in 1905 to the Prussian Engineer Committee (Preusisches Ingenieur-Komitee).<ref name=":0" /> In 1909, he established further changes and improvements, such as a single cylinder design, thus developing the ''Kleinflammenwerfe''r. By 1912, the device was mainly perfected, and they were approved for usage in 1914.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Reddemann |first=Bernhard |date=1933 |title=History of the German Flamethrower troop |url=https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf |journal=History of the German Flamethrower troop |pages=8 |via=University of Stuttgart}}</ref> It was initially stationed at Poznan Fortress, where it was going to be used as a tool of defense.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Reddemann |first=Bernhard |date=1933 |title=History of the German Flamethrower troop |url=https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf |journal=History of the German Flamethrower troop |pages=9 |via=University of Stuttgart}}</ref> At the end of 1914, the first flamethrower “special force” was formed by Captain [[Bernahrd Reddemann|Bernhard Reddemann]], made up of 48 men, mainly volunteers and firefighters. The force was called the “Flammenwerfer-Reddemann Department, ” <ref name=":0" /> and they were integrated into the 6th Reserve Corps of the [[Imperial German Army|German Army]].<ref name=":0" /> === 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.<ref name=":1" /> The ''Kleinflammenwerfer'' was then deployed on a large scale on July 30, 1915, during the [[Battle of Ypres|Second Battle of Ypres]] at [[Hooge in World War I|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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Edmonds |first=J.E |date=1925 |title=Military Operations France and Belgium, 1914: Antwerp, La Bassée, Armentières, Messines and Ypres October–November 1914. |journal=Military Operations France and Belgium, 1914: Antwerp, La Bassée, Armentières, Messines and Ypres October–November 1914. |volume=2 |via=History of the Great War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence.}}</ref> === 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. === Gallery === <gallery> File:Niva magazine, 1916. img 099.jpg|''Kleif M.1912'' with the angled nozzle File:Flammenwerfer M.16. World War One 1st Aero Squadron.jpg|''Kleif M.1916'' in a French postcard. It is often misidentified as the "Flammenwerfer M.16" of Austrian origan. File:Verdun 15 03 1914 Toter Mann 296.jpg|A German flamethrower attack at Verdun with a late-model ''Kleif M.1915''. File:Max Pohly, Flame Thrower in Warfare, 1914–1918, The Black Star Collection, Ryerson Image Centre.jpg|Training with a ''Kleif M.1917'' File:Woerner Eugen (herr) Collection Q44155.jpg|Flamethrower presentation for officers. A ''Kleif M.1917'' is used. </gallery> == 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 [[Demoralization (warfare)|demoralize]] enemy soldiers.<ref name=":1" /> ==See also== *[[List of flamethrowers]] ==References== {{Reflist}} {{more footnotes needed|date=November 2014}} # ''Reddemann, Bernhard. (1933). History of the German Flamethrower troop . p. 11.'' <nowiki>https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf</nowiki> # ''Reddemann, Bernhard. (1933). History of the German Flamethrower troop . p. 13.'' <nowiki>https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf</nowiki> # ''Reddemann, Bernhard. (1933). History of the German Flamethrower troop . p. 10.'' <nowiki>https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf</nowiki> # ''Reddemann, Bernhard. (1933). History of the German Flamethrower troop . p. 8.'' <nowiki>https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf</nowiki> # ''Reddemann, Bernhard. (1933). History of the German Flamethrower troop . p. 9.'' <nowiki>https://www.hi.uni-stuttgart.de/wgt/ww-one/Start/Bleed_White/Technology_and_Science/pdf/ww1_ger_08_03_04_reddemann.pdf</nowiki> # [[James Edward Edmonds|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. * {{cite book|title=Flamethrowers of the German Army 1914-1945|author=Fred Koch}} *Thomas Wictor. ''German Flamethrower Pioneers of World War I'' ==External links== * [http://www.kaiserscross.com/40029/76401.html History of German Flamethrower Development] {{WWIGermanInfWeaponsNav}} [[Category:1910s establishments in Germany]] [[Category:1910s disestablishments in Germany]] [[Category:Flamethrowers of Germany]] [[Category:World War I German infantry weapons]]'