Defensive flamethrowers in WWI?

[Gran Sasso]

Just came across a very interesting album - any info abou those big flamethrowers on the trailer?

[Brad Posey]

Holy Sh#%!, what is that thing? A trench BBQ?

Are those guys Austrian?

I guess I need to post a few pics of some my unidentified weapon photos.

[Hoss]

Gran
The top left picture look like Austrian soldiers transporting 4, Grosse 2001 M.15 Flammenwerfers. There were kept in underground bunkers and used for defence. The long hoses running to the trench on the surface. They were notorious for accidental combustion!!! and kept apart from ammo stores and troop shelters.

Regards
Eric

[Don D.]

Nice pics. If you decide to get rid of it.......

[PlaceOfBayonets]

Did not know those existed. Imagine finding one complete in great shape in an underground dougout today.

A wall of fire would keep the ememy at bay but anything placed to defend is a target to be taken out.

W.

[Hoss]

Guys
The study of the German Flamethrower is a fascinating one. Early on, two people stand out Richard Fiedler and Bernhard Reddemann. Reddemann was the Fire Chief of Posen!!
In fact a lot of the original troops were from Fire Brigades. Ironic is,nt it.
It was Reddemann who really pushed the development and forming of units though.
Initially, The Kaiser didnt even know about the experiments, and on finding out called them "monstrous and inhuman".

Eric

[Chip M]

There is a nice long thread on the subject with some outstanding photos over on the GMIC forum. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=36697

Chip

[Gran Sasso]

Thanks for your answers - its a great album, here are some more shots of a 42cm Mörser "Dicke Bertha" in transport / assembeling (look at the giantic end of the barrel):

[Gran Sasso]

More:

[Gran Sasso]

And more:

[Don D.]

Nice album. This guy had access to some neat places. Any indication who he was?

[ARDITO]

The album is not Austrian, the photo are of Italian troops during WW1.
This evening will provide data on the various pieces of artillery, I see the various books.
The backpack flamethrower, is the classic included companies throwers during WW1, also used by Arditi. Later I will tell you more, I see the documentation.
regards, Luca

[ARDITO]

A photo of an Artillery officer uniform during WW1.

[Hoss]

WOW!
Is this a uniform from your collection?
It,s superb

Eric

[ARDITO]

Yes, Eric, the uniform is in my collection.


The guns of the picture are two different models, the largest to be disassembled and transported by rail, and with tractors, is a 305 mm.


The other which is always pulled by tractors, is a 149 mm



The backpack flamethrower is the classic used by the Italian shock troops during the First World War.
Here the picture of a sample (from the book Stormtrooper of Verlag publishing).