WW2 British Engineers

[Raider4]

Were flamethrower units widely/routinely issued in the British army in NWE? What about the BEF in 1940?

[fred.]

In NWE, yes. I've just flicked through Bouchery 'The British Soldier' but can't see the numbers of man-portable Ack Pack flamethrowers issued, but I'm pretty sure they were at battalion level. A lot of use was made of vehicle mounted flame throwers on carriers (Wasp) and on Churchill tanks (Crocodile). Wasps were in the carrier platoons of infantry battalions so readily available, Crocodiles were part of 79th Armoured Divison, but were parcelled out to various different units to support operations.

1940, I don't know, but I've seen little if any reference to their use.

[fsn]

I think there were some issued to RE companies, but not used much.

[holdfast]

Never came across any reference to them in 35 years in the Sappers so doubt that they were issued. British sappers were considerably less well equipped with heavier weapons than their German equivalents.