Science of Conflict

Napalm

Incendiary fluids were first used by the Greeks during the Byzantine Empire. Forces during this era used a flammable mixture called Greek fire. Napalm is an incendiary fluid made of a mixture of fuels, such as kerosine, and thickners, such as rubber. In fact napalm was used as a thickent in place of natural rubber, hence the name. Depending on the ratio of thickner to fuel, napalm can be manufactured into a gel or liquid form that can be sprayed from a hand held flame thrower. Flame throwers were used extensively during WWI and WWII to clear trenches and stubborn pockets of resistance. It was particularly effective in the battle of Iwo Jima.

 

Modern napalm is made from a mixture of kerosine and polystyrene. It is particularly nasty as it sticks to objects and continues to burn with great intensity at over 1,200 oC

Napalm was sprayed from tanks during WWII and was feared by enemy troops. So intense was the fear of napalm that SS troops would execute captured allied tank crews that used napalm.

 
Napalm can also be delivered by bombs as was the case during the Vietnam War. Burning napalm rapidly removes the oxygen from the available air suffocating enemy troops in the vicinity. As it burns it also produces large volumes of carbon monoxide gas that adds to asphyxiate troops on the ground.

 
One of the most powerful images to come out of the Vietnam War. Images such as this galvanised opposition to the war. The image shows villagers fleeing after a napalm attack on their village.

Why is napalm a particularly vicious weapon to use?

Discuss the psychological impact on enemy soldiers?

How does napalm cause death?

What is the effect of carbon monoxide on the human body?

Under what battle conditions is this type of weapon better used?
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