"Lifebuoy" WWII British flamethrower

[Anthony Appleyard]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamethrower,_Portable,_No_2

If you are looking for close-up detailed images of the WII British "lifebuoy" flamethrower, I found some at this link:-

British 1943 Ackpack Flame Thrower

On image dpp_0017.jpg on that page note the steel spring clip at the bottom front end of the left shoulder strap :: that seems to explain, for that type, a problem that has vexed me: where does a flamethrowerman put its gun part when he is not firing it and he needs his hands free to do something else?

 

[SilvrSRT10]

That does look like a clip to hang the gun part of the thrower. Never thought about it before.

 

[kwo51]

Never really wanted to walk around in live fire with a can of gas on my back.What was the pouch on the front of the unit for?

 

[SilvrSRT10]

Never really wanted to walk around in live fire with a can of gas on my back.What was the pouch on the front of the unit for?

Matches to light the thing.

I don't really know. I just made that up.

 

[Sgt. Rock]

I think I'd be wearing asbestos gloves if I had to use that thing. But wearing some 64 pound Zippo lighter on you back while in combat could be hazardous to your health. Going have to watch A Bridge Too Far to spot it for myself...still an interesting find.

 

[armoredman]

I understand that the life span of a flamethrowerman in the Pacific, especially on Iwo Jima, was measured in minutes, because the Japanese hated the things so much. Wearing the Ronson Backpack meant you were about to die.

 

[kwo51]

I don't remember a MOS for flame thrower.

 

[rusty]

Lifebuoy flamethrower item=281396902850 July 27/2014 for those interested I can supply more detailed pictures.

 

[Bluez]

The Russians would execute any German POW caught as a flamethrower man by burning him alive.

Given what happend I always thought it overly generous the germans did not do the same with any down RAF personnell.

 

[kwo51]

Plenty of napalm has been used to entice surrender.