8th Army question

[FierceKitty]

What is the figure who seems to be carrying a Greek hoplon shield on his shoulders really carrying? My knowledge of the period is limited.

[NTM]

I'm guessing the lifebouy flamethrower but that was not used in North Africa to my knowledge and I can't see a pack of 8th army engineers either 

[petercooman]

If its the guy top right of the picture,then it is indeed a flamethrower:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamethrower,_Portable,_No_2

But they were not used in africa

[Sunray]

Quite right Peter.  The British  Ack Pack was not in issue until 1943.  Like the PIAT it was not in service in North Africa.  If fact I will stick my neck out and say the British flamethrower did not make its debut until  Normandy in June 1944.

Are they any recorded uses in the Italian campaign prior to June 1944?

[petercooman]

A quick google only strengthens the belief it was not issued before overlord.

There were some other flamethrowers prior to that, but very unsuccesfull designs that mostly ended up with the home guard.

These were known as the home guard flame thrower, the harvey flamethrower and the marsden



"The Harvey flamethrower was introduced in August 1940, it was made mostly made from readily available parts such as wheels from agricultural equipment manufacturers and commercially available compressed air cylinders. It comprised a welded steel cylinder containing 22 gallons (1000 l) of creosote and a standard bottle of compressed nitrogen at 1,800 pounds per square inch (120 bar) mounted on a sack truck of the type that a railway station porter might use. "


"The Marsden flamethrower was heavy and cumbersome, 1500 were made but few issued.[90]

Neither the Harvey or the Marsden was popular with the Army; both ended up with the Home Guard. The Marsden would be superseded in 1943 by the Flamethrower, Portable, No 2 which became known as the "lifebuoy" flamethrower from the ring shape of the fuel tank."


"The Mark 1 was used as a training weapon, while the improved Mark 2 was used in action. Over 7,000 units were produced from 1943 to 1944. They were ready for service during Operation Overlord (the Allied invasion of Normandy)."

[FierceKitty]

Ah, well, it's a minute anachronism next to many that wargames regularly commit.

[petercooman]

Well NTM is right however, there is no pack of 8th army engineers that i can find so they are made for the european theatre.

Although you can use the mine detector and other guy!