Bundeswehr Flamethrower?

[Guardian 5]

Gents,

In this otherwise unremarkable post card, a Bundeswehr knock-off of the famous "unsere Wehrmacht" series of World War II, one can just make out a grenadier armed with what appears to be a U.S. M2 Flamethrower.

I know that the Bundeswehr is unique in employing the HAFLA DM 34 flame weapon, but had never known them to employ flamethrowers as well.

Does anyone else have pictures or information on the Bundeswehr use of the flamethrower?

This card is titled "Deutsche Bundeswehr, Grenadiere im Manoever". It was issued by the Ministry of Defense.

All the best,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

Here is the back of the post card.

TJ

[Guardian 5]

Team,

Here is a blurb from the Janes website on infantry weapons.


The Buck Hafla DM 34 hand flame cartridge launcher is a single-shot, one-person operated, throwaway weapon designed to impel an incendiary smoke charge to a range of 70 to 80 m.The weapon comprises an aluminium launch tube and three compressed sections of incendiary smoke composition contained in a projectile. A pivotal handgrip fuze and firing assembly is fitted at one end of the tube and a plastic cover at the other. The launcher is watertight. Three units are individually packed and moisture-sealed in a plastic carrying case.The Hafla DM 34 is delivered with the handgrip in the 'safe' position. By depressing the safety button the grip can be moved outwards exposing the trigger. The trigger cannot be activated until the grip is moved completely to the rear and is locked in position. The weapon is then ready to fire.The trigger is depressed and the firing pin strikes the primer which ignites the first propellant. Simultaneously the projectile is set in motion, the second propellant is ignited and the aluminium capsule is blown out of the tube.As the second propellant burns, the delay fuze begins to smoulder. This action concurrently activates the incendiary smoke payload. After some 2 seconds, the burning mixture in the delay fuze reaches the dispersion charge. An immediate burst then demolishes the projectile, spreading burning fragments of incendiary smoke composition, comprising Red Phosphorus (RP).The projectile bursts after travelling 70 to 80 m and burning particles will be spread over an area 10 m wide and 15.

[Gordon Craig]

TJ,

Two nasty peices of work here! Especially if you are on the receiving end. I've seen the BW flamethrower picture before but I can not remember when or where.

Regards,

Gordon

[hoover]

^Hi!

In the very first months the BUndeswehr engineers also tested the US M1 Flamethrower, but I am on doubt that these were introduced officially. I have never seen any manual or TO&E listings.

[Guardian 5]

Thanks Frank.

Any experience with the HAFLA 34?

TJ

[hoover]

Yes, I shot it a few times, but only as exercise piece. The "real one" with flame projectile was not allowed, so we used the bblue ones with chalk-warheads

Quite nice, but with a heavy recoil. Hurts in de hand after e few shots.

[Guardian 5]

Thanks Frank; great insight!

Now that I look at it, it would appear to be difficult to control and capable of giving a good kick.

All the best,

TJ