Jet-type flamethrowers, throwing a flammable liquid to the target, showed their potential during the First World War, and since then have been constantly improved. Nevertheless, despite all the improvements, they had a characteristic drawback in the form of large dimensions and weight. The original solution to this problem was proposed in the German project Einstoßflammenwerfer 44. This weapon was supposed to have limited combat capabilities, but at the same time have minimal dimensions.
No later than mid-1944, the Luftwaffe Armaments Directorate instructed the industry to create a promising example of a flame-throwing incendiary weapon with a special look. The new flamethrower was intended for airborne and airborne units, and therefore specific requirements were imposed on it. The weapon was supposed to be small in size and weight, not hampering the landing, and also to be simple to manufacture and operate. With all these qualities, the flamethrower had to show acceptable combat characteristics.
The specialists entrusted with the creation of new weapons were able to develop a new project in the shortest possible time. Just a few months after the receipt of the order, the experienced flamethrowers were submitted for testing, tested in the conditions of the test site and then recommended for adoption. The corresponding order appeared before the end of 1944, which was reflected in the name of the weapon.
General view of the flamethrower Einstoßflammenwerfer 44. Photo by Odkrywca.pl
The flamethrower project received a name that fully reveals its essence and time of creation. The product was named Einstoßflammenwerfer 44 - “Single-shot flamethrower mod. 1944 g. " There is also another spelling of the name, Einstossflammenwerfer. In some sources, instead of two fours, indicating the year of development and adoption, the letters "46" are indicated. However, in all cases we are talking about the same sample.
The main task of the new project was to create the most simple and compact design. To obtain such results, the authors of the project had to abandon the possibility of performing several volleys, and also assemble all the main weapons devices on the basis of a single body. The latter at the same time performed the functions of the main power element and the container for the fire mixture.
The largest part of the Einstoßflammenwerfer 44 flamethrower was a cylindrical cylinder body for storing flammable liquid. Round covers were fixed on the ends of the tubular body by welding. The front one had a couple of small holes necessary for installing certain parts. A straight pistol grip was located near the front end of the cylinder. Part of the trigger mechanism was attached to it. A pair of sling swivels for a belt was welded to the top of the body.
A pair of small nozzles was welded to the front cover of the body. The upper one had a conical shape, and at its front end there was a nozzle for the correct spraying of a flammable liquid. The lower opening of the cover was intended for the installation of an inclined tube, which was the basis for the firing mechanism and ignition means. It can be assumed that a longitudinal tube was placed at the level of the lower hole inside the body, which was necessary for the correct removal of the powder gases.
The single-shot flamethrower received a fairly simple trigger mechanism, which was responsible for the release of the fire mixture. It was proposed to place a blank cartridge of a suitable type with a powder charge of the required power in the lower front tube of the body. Under the body and in front of the pistol grip there was a simple trigger mechanism that included a trigger and a hammer. When the hook was displaced, the latter had to hit the cartridge primer and ignite the charge of the latter.
The "ammunition" of the Einstoßflammenwerfer 44 flamethrower was a fire mixture of one of the existing types, poured directly into the body. The compact container contained 1.7 liters of flammable liquid. As the name of the weapon implies, the entire supply of fluid was to be thrown out during a single shot. After that, the flamethrower could not continue firing and needed to be reloaded. According to other sources, the reloading of weapons was not provided. After the first and last shot, the flamethrower should have been thrown away and then another similar product used.
A specific feature of the flamethrower was the absence of any sighting devices. This feature of the weapon, combined with the minimum stock of fire mixture and the recommended method of use, could adversely affect the results of firing, as well as lead to known risks for the flamethrower.
The customer demanded to make the most compact and lightweight weapon, and this task was successfully solved. The length of the balloon body was only 500 mm with an outer diameter of 70 mm. The body was made of steel sheet 1 mm thick. The front nozzles installed at the end of the body increased the total length of the weapon by about 950-100 mm. Taking into account the pistol grip, the maximum height of a disposable flamethrower reached 180-200 mm.
The empty Einstoßflammenwerfer 44, not ready for use, weighed about 2 kg. After pouring 1, 7 liters of fire mixture, the curb weight reached 3, 6 kg. This weight of the product, as well as its dimensions, provided a certain ease of transportation and use.
Flamethrower in combat position. Photo Militaryimages.net
One of the goals of the project was to simplify the operation of the weapon, and in this regard, the flamethrower lived up to expectations. The filling of the cylinder-body with the fire mixture was carried out at the manufacturing plant. The liquid was poured through one of the standard holes, after which the necessary devices were installed on it. Preparing the weapon for firing, the flamethrower had to place a blank cartridge in the lower front tube and cock the firing mechanism. Without a cartridge and without cocking the trigger, the weapon could be transported, including by attaching it to the parachutist's equipment.
As conceived by the authors of the project, the shooting should have been carried out using a standard carrying belt. It was required to be placed on the shoulder, and the flamethrower itself had to be located under the arm of the flamethrower. In this case, a certain stabilization was provided, and one could count on an acceptable accuracy of hitting the target. At the same time, however, the weapon did not have sighting devices, and the proposed method of firing seriously complicated preliminary aiming.
When the trigger was pulled, the trigger was cocked with an instant release. The released drummer had to hit the primer, which ignited the main propellant charge of the blank cartridge. The propellant gases formed during the combustion of the charge were supposed to enter the body through the corresponding tube and increase the pressure in it. The gas pressure squeezed the flammable liquid to the nozzle and threw it towards the target. By the time the mixture exited the nozzle, the flame force from the propellant charge had to break out of the front cut of the tube under the cartridge and ignite the liquid.
The single-shot flamethrower Einstoßflammenwerfer 44 in one shot threw out all the available fire mixture. This took him no more than 1-1.5 s. With the correct use of the weapon, a jet of flammable liquid flew out to a distance of 25-27 m. After a shot, the flamethrower could be thrown away. Reloading weapons on the battlefield was not possible. However, according to some reports, the cylinder could be refilled in a workshop.
The flamethrower was intended to attack manpower and some enemy structures. In addition, it could be used against unprotected vehicles. In general, in terms of goals and objectives, the Einstoßflammenwerfer 44 product differed little from other jet flamethrowers of that time. However, the limited stock of fire mixture led to known differences in the context of application on the battlefield.
The design work was completed as soon as possible, and in the second half of 1944, a promising flamethrower was put into service. Initially, as previously planned, this weapon was supposed to be transferred to the airborne and field units of the Luftwaffe. In the future, the flamethrower Einstoßflammenwerfer 44 began to be considered as a means of enhancing the firepower of the militia. However, the modest pace of production did not allow all such plans to be realized.
The disposable flamethrower was distinguished by an extremely simple design, but this positive feature of the project could not be fully used in practice. For one reason or another, until the end of 1944, it was possible to collect and transfer to the army only a few hundred products. By the beginning of the spring of the following 1945, the German industry had produced only 3850 flamethrowers. It should be noted that some sources mention larger numbers. According to these data, the total production of flamethrowers Einstoßflammenwerfer 44 could exceed 30 thousand units. However, such information does not have sufficient confirmation, and the release of less than 4 thousand flamethrowers looks more realistic.
Despite the limited rate of release, flamethrowers of a new type have become quite widespread. The ability to fire only one shot, in general, did not become a serious problem, and the weapon gained some popularity. At the same time, there were some problems. First of all, it turned out that with the recommended method of holding the weapon, the torch is dangerously close to the shooter. To avoid burns, shooting was carried out from outstretched arms, and the belt was used only for carrying.
Starting in the last months of 1944, German units from various branches of the armed forces and structures used the new single-shot flamethrower to a limited extent. This weapon was used both in offensive battles and against the attacking enemy. With the correct organization of combat work, acceptable results could be obtained. However, the lack of the ability to fire multiple shots and the limited range of fire mixture release led to known limitations and problems.
Left view. Photo Imfdb.org
It is known that such weapons were supplied to both the Wehrmacht and the SS, and the militia. Flamethrowers produced in small quantities were quite actively used on all the main fronts of the European theater of military operations. Under certain circumstances, the number of weapons in service was constantly decreasing, however, at the time of the battle for Berlin, German troops had significant stocks of Einstoßflammenwerfer products 44. The operation of such weapons ended with the battles in Germany.
A few months before the end of World War II, specialists and the command of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition had the opportunity to get acquainted with the captured flamethrowers, but the study of the captured samples did not lead to any real results. It was obvious that such weapons have very limited prospects, and therefore are not of interest from the point of view of copying. Moreover, the very concept of a compact single-shot jet flamethrower was considered meaningless.
A significant part of the produced serial flamethrowers Einstoßflammenwerfer 44 in the post-war period were disposed of as unnecessary. However, quite a few of these products escaped this fate. Now they are kept in numerous museums and private collections.
The Einstoßflammenwerfer 44 project was based on the original idea of creating a light and compact flamethrower capable of firing only one shot. In certain circumstances, such a weapon turned out to be useful and could help the troops, but its many ambiguous features markedly reduced the real potential. As a result, the flamethrower of the 1944 model remained the only development of its class. New single-shot jet flamethrowers were not further developed.
