This Abwehr Flammenwerfer 42 was one of ten weapons found two years ago, in an earlier german WW2-fortress originally named HKB 32/976 Vigra Ålesund, located in the west part of Norway. A massive rust attack, and only small remains of the original paint made a full restoration necessary.
The history of the Abwehr Flammenwerfer 42:
As german Heer-soldiers did attack the Red Army during the summer of 41, the soldiers at some sectors of the frontline completely unexpected were exposed to wide beams of fire, apparently coming out of the ground. When German pioneers investigated the matter, they found buried Russian flame-throwers of the FOG-1 type. The effect of this weapon made a strong impression to the germans, and after short time the decision was made to develop a german version, based on the same principles. Named “Abwehr-Flammenwerfer 42”, a number of 50.000 weapons were delivered by june 1944. As early as 1942, 19.890 weapons were delivered to pioneer units, in 1943 27.869 were built and finally 4.162 in 1944. These stationary weapons turned out to be powerful blockings towards russian troop initiatives, and put together in quite large numbers it was possible to create wide blockings up to 150 meters. A single weapon provided a stream of burning fuel which was 4.5 meters wide, and it had an approximate range of about 27 meters, which again lasted about 3 seconds.
The main parts of the weapon were: Tank for flame oil, riser pipe with nozzle, drive cartridge and electric fuses.
Empty, the weapon is 33 kilos, completely charged with flame-oil and fuses the weight is 65 kilos. A waxed cardboard cylinder filled with propellant powder, 70 millimeters in diameter and 25 centimeters high, was mounted at the top of the fuel cylinder (Inside the threaded pipe with a handle on top.) The technical purpose was to be a slow-burning compression-building device rather than an explosive charge. This propellant cartridge provided an electric fuse, as well as there had to be one under the nozzle to ignite the flame-oil. Two fuses was a minimum for each flamethrower. The fuses was activated with electric charger: ”Glühzündapparate 37 or 39.“
The weapon was normally filled with 30 liters of flame-oil, never less than 20 liters. Each set with one flamethrower came with 10 propellant cartridges, 20 electric fuses and 10 washers for the nozzle. (The washer bursted out as the inside pressure got high.) If there were no mechanical damages to the weapon, it could be reloaded and resissued several times. The “Abwehr Flammenwerfer 42” was dug into the ground, only the riser pipe and the handle-fitted screwed pipe with the propellant was visible:
American soldier studying a captured flame-thrower in 1944:
Quite large number of flame-throwers could be connected into a defence system. This allied intelligence photo shows wires from probably 10flame-throwers leading to an observation post where the german pioneer could be tactically directing the order of the flame bursts towards his the enemy.
A chart from a german manual, showing how several weapons can be organized together in an efficient system:
A friend provided me with a copy of the correct D 1683/1 manual:
When found, this “Abwehr Flammenwerfer 42” was heavily corroded on the surface, after lying in a moist basement for precise 65 years. Small remains of paint was visible, amongst the rust flakes.
After the removal of rust, the damaged holder for the electric fuse under the nozzle was perfectly reconstructed. A small rust hole in the tank was located, and welded.
This flamethrower was further completely restored , and repainted in the original RAL 6006 Wehrmacht no.3 with the two original white texts painted on each side.
Further the flame-thrower was treated with primer and filler before painted with the correct RAL 6006 Wehrmacht no.3 Olivegrau.
White text on the side, perfectly remade from the originals (Thanks to my friend in the North)The texts says: "Nicht am Flammrohr Nur an Griffen tragen" and "Gefüllten Behälter nur Senkrecht, nicht liegend abstellen" which means something like: "Not by the riser pipe, must be carried only by the grips" and "A full tank must be stored in an up-right position only, do not place in a lying position".
Finally, last detail: The fitting of a “washer “(Sprengscheibe) in the nozzle.
Project completed!
Weapons of this type are found occasionally here in Norway, nevertheless they are quite rare and well worth preserving for the future.
The history of the Abwehr Flammenwerfer 42:
As german Heer-soldiers did attack the Red Army during the summer of 41, the soldiers at some sectors of the frontline completely unexpected were exposed to wide beams of fire, apparently coming out of the ground. When German pioneers investigated the matter, they found buried Russian flame-throwers of the FOG-1 type. The effect of this weapon made a strong impression to the germans, and after short time the decision was made to develop a german version, based on the same principles. Named “Abwehr-Flammenwerfer 42”, a number of 50.000 weapons were delivered by june 1944. As early as 1942, 19.890 weapons were delivered to pioneer units, in 1943 27.869 were built and finally 4.162 in 1944. These stationary weapons turned out to be powerful blockings towards russian troop initiatives, and put together in quite large numbers it was possible to create wide blockings up to 150 meters. A single weapon provided a stream of burning fuel which was 4.5 meters wide, and it had an approximate range of about 27 meters, which again lasted about 3 seconds.
The main parts of the weapon were: Tank for flame oil, riser pipe with nozzle, drive cartridge and electric fuses.
Empty, the weapon is 33 kilos, completely charged with flame-oil and fuses the weight is 65 kilos. A waxed cardboard cylinder filled with propellant powder, 70 millimeters in diameter and 25 centimeters high, was mounted at the top of the fuel cylinder (Inside the threaded pipe with a handle on top.) The technical purpose was to be a slow-burning compression-building device rather than an explosive charge. This propellant cartridge provided an electric fuse, as well as there had to be one under the nozzle to ignite the flame-oil. Two fuses was a minimum for each flamethrower. The fuses was activated with electric charger: ”Glühzündapparate 37 or 39.“
The weapon was normally filled with 30 liters of flame-oil, never less than 20 liters. Each set with one flamethrower came with 10 propellant cartridges, 20 electric fuses and 10 washers for the nozzle. (The washer bursted out as the inside pressure got high.) If there were no mechanical damages to the weapon, it could be reloaded and resissued several times. The “Abwehr Flammenwerfer 42” was dug into the ground, only the riser pipe and the handle-fitted screwed pipe with the propellant was visible:
American soldier studying a captured flame-thrower in 1944:
Quite large number of flame-throwers could be connected into a defence system. This allied intelligence photo shows wires from probably 10flame-throwers leading to an observation post where the german pioneer could be tactically directing the order of the flame bursts towards his the enemy.
A chart from a german manual, showing how several weapons can be organized together in an efficient system:
A friend provided me with a copy of the correct D 1683/1 manual:
When found, this “Abwehr Flammenwerfer 42” was heavily corroded on the surface, after lying in a moist basement for precise 65 years. Small remains of paint was visible, amongst the rust flakes.
After the removal of rust, the damaged holder for the electric fuse under the nozzle was perfectly reconstructed. A small rust hole in the tank was located, and welded.
This flamethrower was further completely restored , and repainted in the original RAL 6006 Wehrmacht no.3 with the two original white texts painted on each side.
Further the flame-thrower was treated with primer and filler before painted with the correct RAL 6006 Wehrmacht no.3 Olivegrau.
White text on the side, perfectly remade from the originals (Thanks to my friend in the North)The texts says: "Nicht am Flammrohr Nur an Griffen tragen" and "Gefüllten Behälter nur Senkrecht, nicht liegend abstellen" which means something like: "Not by the riser pipe, must be carried only by the grips" and "A full tank must be stored in an up-right position only, do not place in a lying position".
Finally, last detail: The fitting of a “washer “(Sprengscheibe) in the nozzle.
Project completed!
Weapons of this type are found occasionally here in Norway, nevertheless they are quite rare and well worth preserving for the future.
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