Incendiary Weapons
A Flamethrower is a device which projects a jet of fire. While the Flamethrowers have other applications such as defoliation the most well known is as a weapon. Flamethrowers can be very destructive against wooden structures and flood rooms with a leathal inferno. Even so, one of the biggest factors about flamethrowers is psychological. People have a well established aversion to being consumed by fire, both by instinct and because being burned to death is a horrible way to go.
Historic Use
The basic mechanisms of a Flamethrower are pretty simple. All you need is a cistern for fuel, a pump, a nozzle and a pilot light. Most famously the Byzantines used simple Flamethrowers as naval weapons. The forces of the Song Dynasty also built flamethrowers. In either case, they likely used some sort of petroleum derived compound.
Modern Use
At present, flamethrowers are mainly used against bunkers, pillboxes, and other fortified positions. Since they're throwing flaming liquid, and that liquid can pass around corners, through narrow passages, and over barriers.
Flamethrowers in Fantasy
In Discworld flamethrowers show up on occasion including the Klatchian Fire Engine in Men At Arms and the Deep Downers have some in Thud!
Flamethrowers in Science Fiction
See Also
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| Medieval Weaponry | |
|---|---|
| Melee Weapons: |
Battleaxe - Dagger - Lance - Mace - Club Pole-arm - Spear - Sword - Warhammer |
| Ranged Weapons: |
Blowgun - Bows and Arrows - Cannon Crossbow - Firearm - Rocket - Shuriken - Sling - Incendiary Weapons - Artillery |
| Armor: | Armor - Fantasy Armor - Helmet - Pauldron - Shield |