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Italian Portable Flamethrower

Italian flamethrower sapper at the training ground in Risano. He is armed with an Italian Schilt No. 3 bis, built under license by the Bergomi Society of Milan. Unusually, the lance is upside down. Note the white smoke emitted by the fuse in the nozzle.

 

From 1916 to early 1918, the nine flamethrower companies were armed with either static flamethrowers, medium semi-portable flamethrowers, or portable flamethrowers.

 

Beginning in May of 1917 portable flamethrower sections were formed, to be attached to each regiment of infantry, Bersaglieri, and grenadiers, as well as each battalion of Alpini and each assault unit.

 

By the end of the war there was a total of 361 portable-flamethrower sections; nine flamethrower companies armed only with static weapons; and four independent flamethrower sections armed with static weapons.

 

This sapper wears a fireproof suit based on the British and Russian models.

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Uploaded on May 24, 2012
Taken on May 23, 2012