Were flamethrowers used in the Spanish Civil War?

[WillieB]

I seem to recall a novel/memoire where the writer talks about how hard it is to use a flamethrower on people, but that's about all the reference material I've got.

If they were used would if have been the earlier two-man type as in WWI or a more modern one.

Who would have used them? Army? Guardia Civil? Asaltos? or Militia?

[Doctor Merkury]

Hey Willie, I answered this one over on TMP but I'll reply here also.  they would have been used by the Engineers in the army.  Records show that they did have a few of the Biosca Mod. 1918 flamethrowers which I believe the tank is on a cart of sorts.  These could possibly been used late in the Rif War and maybe in some of the Peninsular Army's garrisons.  Nationalists employed them more than the Republicans, I found no record of the Russians providing any, but the Germans sold at least four Flammenwerfer Mod. 35s to Francos forces in 1936 and trained 30 men through the Condor Legion in their operation in October of the same year.  Records show that the Nationalists also acquired several of the Italian Lanciafiamme Mod.36 flamethrowers and these may have been more common.  Again these would have been employed by the Engineer sections of the Nationalist or if captured Republican Army, but not by the Militias or Paramilitary forces.

Hope that helps,
Doc

[WillieB]

Helps a lot Doc!

Saw your answer on TMP as well. Highly appreciated!

Trying to track down that Biosca flamethrower now. If it is indeed on a cart it would make for a really nice model.

[WillieB]

Not found yet , but just learned an intersting tidbit.
Apparently the German instructors in Spain mounted two M35 flamethrowers on several PzKfw Is. Don't know if these replaced the MGs but stiil looking.

[dadlamassu]

At Tobruk the engineers of 5th Light Division replaced the right MG of Pz Kpfw 1 ausf A with a portable flamethrower.  The fuel capacity was enough for about 10 to 12 one-second flame bursts.  A maximum range of 25 Metres is quoted.  

A similar conversion of Pz Kpfw 1 asf B was made during the Spanish Civil War.

From Encyclopedia of German tanks of WW2 by Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle.

[DanimalKingdom]

Okay, late reply, but I need to add that the Spanish Foreign Legion had a flamethrower company, which presumably was attached to attacking divisions. Like most of the legion I believe they ended up locked in the slugging match for Madrid for most of the war.

[H.M.Stanley]

If it helps, Disposable Heroes (SCW) has the option to include 1918 Biosca Flamethrowers with the Ingenerio Peloton of the Republicans/IB.

[Siaba]

I seem to recall a novel/memoire where the writer talks about how hard it is to use a flamethrower on people, but that's about all the reference material I've got.

L'ESPOIR, a book written by Andre Malraux. He was in Spain during the civil war and put in place an aircraft squadron for the republicans 

[Major Weenie]

Didn't the Loyalists try to overcome the cadets at the military academy using gasoline (petrol) pumped directly out of a tanker truck, and over an open flame ?

I seem to remember that the plan was less than successful.

Regards,
MW