The Last Days of US Army Flamethrowers: Insights and Anecdotes

The US Army stopped using flamethrowers officially in 1978, but their usage in combat had ceased much earlier. This article delves into the history and anecdotes surrounding the last days of flamethrowers in the American arsenal, focusing on specific instances and personal accounts.

The Official End of Flamethrowers in the US Army

Officially Ending in 1980

While the flamethrowers were officially discontinued for military use in the early 1970s, the last documented use in combat was during the Vietnam War. By the time the author joined the Army in 1980, flamethrowers had become a thing of the past. Yet, the lingering history of these weapons in the inventory led to an amusing incident that sheds light on the willingness of some units to maintain the equipment.

A Humorous Incident in the Army: A Flamethrower Maintenance Order

A Joke Gone Viral

The story begins in 1980 when the author, a mortar gun squad leader, received a part number for a flamethrower attachment as part of the maintenance manual for a 4.2-inch mortar. As a joke, the author placed an order for the flamethrower attachment, assuming it would get lost in the system or even worse, returned by the mechanics. To the author's surprise, the flamethrower attachment actually arrived at the motor pool, passing through several levels of command with no one questioning the order.

When the author was called to the motor pool about a month later, they were met with an unexpected situation. A flamethrower attachment had arrived, and the author was accused of placing the order. The author humorously admitted to the joke and tried to explain the long chain of command and the unexpected delay in the order process. The situation initially caused a tense moment, but the story eventually ended with an understanding and no further action taken.

The Cold War Context and Mystery Behind the Order

The Cold War Connection

During the Cold War, the author's track pack or engine had blown a seal, making it non-mission capable. On a Friday afternoon, the author was instructed to install the flamethrower attachment to get the track pack back up and running as soon as possible. This request was made at a time when the Cold War was still ongoing, highlighting the continued relevance of such equipment, even though they were officially outdated.

The flamethrower attachment, which had come in yesterday afternoon, was not reported to the squad until Friday afternoon, causing confusion. The author had plans for the evening but agreed to the task on the condition it would be completed the next morning. However, the sergeant had a different idea and insisted that the task be completed that very night.

The squad and the company mechanics worked tirelessly into the night, managing to complete the task by 4 a.m. This incident demonstrates the lengths to which some units would go to ensure their equipment was operational, even if it meant working late on what was supposed to be a non-mission task.

Conclusion and Legacy of Flamethrowers

While the use of flamethrowers by the US Army officially ended in the 1970s, the persistent presence of the equipment in units provided amusing and unexpected scenarios. The story not only adds to the historical context of military tactics and technology but also reflects the human element in the military, where humor and unexpected situations can arise even in the most serious of environments.

Key Takeaways

1. Official End of Flamethrowers: The US Army officially stopped using flamethrowers in combat in the early 1970s but equipment was retained for some time.

2. Military Humor: Despite the seriousness of the military, personal anecdotes and unexpected situations like flung flamethrower attachments can add humor to the proceedings.

3. Operational Readiness: Even in the post-Vietnam era, maintaining the ability to deploy armaments quickly and effectively remained a priority.