50 Facts About Incendiary Device

What Are Incendiary Devices?

Incendiary devices, also known as firebombs, are weapons designed to start fires and cause burn injuries. They have been used throughout history, especially in major conflicts like World War II. Let's dive into some key facts about these destructive weapons.

1. Definition: Incendiary devices are weapons designed to set fire to objects or cause burn injuries to people. They produce heat and fire through the chemical reaction of a flammable substance.

2. Types: There are two main types of incendiary bombs. The intensive type uses thermite, a mixture of aluminum powder and iron oxide that burns at a very high temperature. The other type uses materials like napalm, magnesium powder, chlorine trifluoride, or white phosphorus.

Materials Used in Incendiary Devices

Different materials are used in incendiary devices to achieve various effects. Each material has unique properties that make it suitable for specific purposes.

3. Thermite: Thermite is a mixture of aluminum powder and iron oxide. It burns at a very high temperature, making it effective for igniting fires. The casing of thermite bombs is often made of magnesium, which also burns and enhances the fire.

4. Napalm: Napalm is a mixture of naphthenic and palmitic acids with gasoline or other flammable solvents. It was widely used in World War II and is known for its ability to stick to surfaces and cause severe burns.

5. Magnesium Powder: Magnesium powder is another common material used in incendiary devices. It burns at a high temperature and is often used in conjunction with other materials like thermite or napalm.

6. Chlorine Trifluoride: Chlorine trifluoride is a highly reactive gas that can burn through metal and other materials. It is less commonly used due to its toxicity and difficulty in handling.

7. White Phosphorus: White phosphorus is a highly reactive and toxic substance that can cause severe burns and is often used in incendiary devices. However, it is not classified as an incendiary weapon under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) due to its primary use as an obscurant.

Incendiary Devices in Warfare

Incendiary devices have played significant roles in various wars, causing widespread destruction and civilian casualties.

8. Incendiary Grenades: Incendiary grenades are small devices designed to be thrown and ignite fires. They were used extensively in World War II to burn through heavy armor plates and destroy complex machinery.

9. Incendiary Bombs in World War II: Incendiary bombs were used extensively in World War II by both the Allies and Axis powers. The bombing of Dresden and Tokyo are among the most famous incendiary attacks of the war.

10. The Fire Plan: The German High Command devised an operation called "The Fire Plan" (German: Der Feuerplan) to use incendiary bombs to destroy cities. This plan included the use of napalm and other incendiary materials.

11. British Incendiary Bombs: The British introduced a 30-pound incendiary bomb, known as the "Incendiary Bomb, 30-lb., Type J, Mk I," which had a small parachute to retard its fall and emitted an extremely hot flame upon impact. This bomb was nicknamed the "Superflamer" for its effectiveness.

12. Avro Lancasters: Avro Lancasters were used by the British to drop millions of incendiary bombs on Germany during World War II. These bombers could carry a considerable number of incendiary devices due to the light weight of the magnesium-aluminum alloy casings.

Production and Deployment

The production and deployment of incendiary devices have evolved over time, with various configurations developed for different purposes.

13. Incendiary Bomb Production: During World War II, many different configurations of incendiary bombs were developed, including small bombs, bomblet clusters, and large bombs. The US Chemical Warfare Service developed various jellied-petroleum formulas for use in incendiary devices.

14. Civilian Destruction: Incendiary bombs were notorious for causing civilian destruction. The bombing of Tokyo in 1945 destroyed about 25% of the city's buildings, killed over 80,000 people, and made 1 million homeless.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The use of incendiary devices is regulated by international law, but there are still many ethical concerns regarding their impact on civilians.

15. Legal Status: Incendiary weapons are not specifically banned unless used against civilian populations. However, their use against enemy combatants could infringe the 1925 Geneva Gas Protocol, which prohibits the use of analogous weapons.

16. Protocol III: Protocol III to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) regulates incendiary weapons. It defines an incendiary weapon as any weapon or munition primarily designed to set fire to objects or cause burn injury to persons through the action of flame, heat, or a combination thereof produced by a chemical reaction of a substance delivered on the target.

17. Loopholes in Protocol III: Despite the regulation, Protocol III has loopholes that reduce its legal and normative power. White phosphorus, for example, is not classified as an incendiary weapon under this protocol because it is primarily designed as an obscurant.

Human Impact of Incendiary Devices

The human impact of incendiary devices is severe, causing excruciating burns, long-term health issues, and psychological trauma.

18. Human Rights Concerns: Incendiary weapons are among the cruelest weapons used in contemporary armed conflict. They cause excruciating burns, destroy homes, and inflict severe injuries, including fourth- and fifth-degree burns that damage skin, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and even bones.

19. Treatment Process: Victims of incendiary attacks face an excruciating treatment process. Dressings for burns must be changed daily, and dead skin must be removed, a painful process described as being “flayed alive”.

20. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Incendiary weapons can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning and respiratory damage. Victims may be unable to breathe due to inflammation to the lungs or other tissues.

21. Organ Failure: Individuals who survive an initial attack often experience organ failure, lowered resistance to disease, lifelong disability, muscle weakness, and psychological trauma. Survivors may also be shunned due to severe scarring and disfigurement.

22. Socioeconomic Harm: Incendiary weapons can cause socioeconomic harm and displacement by destroying homes, hospitals, schools, farmland, and other civilian infrastructure.

Recent Use and Controversies

Incendiary devices continue to be used in modern conflicts, raising questions about their legality and ethical implications.

23. Delivery Systems: The delivery system of an incendiary weapon is irrelevant because the nature and extent of harm is the same. Both air-dropped and ground-launched incendiary weapons cause the same type and magnitude of harm and have been used in recent conflicts.

24. Syrian Conflict: In 2017, most of the 22 incendiary weapons attacks documented in Syria involved air-dropped models. These attacks caused severe burns and destruction of civilian structures.

25. White Phosphorus: White phosphorus munitions produce similarly cruel injuries to other incendiary weapons. They can burn people to the bone, smolder inside the body, and reignite when bandages are removed. White phosphorus burns on only 10% of the body are often fatal.

Medical and Psychological Effects

The medical and psychological effects of incendiary devices are long-lasting and challenging to treat.

26. Burn Severity: The severity of burns depends primarily on the total body surface area (TBSA) affected. A person with 5 to 6% TBSA burns does not require hospitalization, while a person with 5 to 15% TBSA burns needs hospitalization but may not need surgery. A person with burns covering more than 15% of the body requires intensive care and sometimes experiences kidney failure.

27. Case Studies: Incendiary weapon attacks often result in burns that cover well over 15% of the body’s surface area. For example, an 8-year-old Afghan girl named Razia sustained burns on 40 to 45% of her body from a white phosphorus attack outside of Kabul in 2009.

28. Respiratory Damage: Exposure to incendiary weapons frequently damages the respiratory system. Burns to the head and neck can inflame the upper airway, making it difficult to breathe. Incendiary weapons also release carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, which can cause poisoning and respiratory or organ failure when inhaled.

29. Psychological Trauma: The trauma of the initial attack, painful treatments, and appearance-changing scars lead to psychological harm and social exclusion. Survivors often experience long-term psychological trauma and may withdraw from society due to severe scarring and disfigurement.

30. Medical Challenges: The inadequate resources available to medical providers in armed conflict settings exacerbate the already challenging process of treating serious burns. Burns require daily dressing changes and can lead to severe infections and shock.

31. Contractures: Over time, contractures—the permanent tightening of muscles and other tissue—impede mobility. This condition is a result of the severe burns inflicted by incendiary weapons.

32. Heat Stroke: Incendiary weapons can elevate the temperature enough to cause heat stroke if an attack occurs in an enclosed space. This can alter a person’s mental state and lead to further complications.

Notable Incendiary Devices

Several notable incendiary devices have been used throughout history, each with its own unique characteristics and impact.

33. Mark 77 Bomb: The Mark 77 bomb is a napalm-based incendiary device used by the United States. It was employed during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Most other countries no longer use such bombs since they are banned by Section III of the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, ratified in 1980.

34. British 4-lb. Mk IV Bomb: The British 4-lb. Mk IV bomb was used extensively during World War II. It was dropped by RAF Bomber Command and was also used by the US as the "AN-M50." The RAF dropped 80 million of these 4-lb. incendiary bombs during the war.

35. Avro Lancaster Bomb Bay: Avro Lancasters carried a mix of 4,000-pound "Cookie" blast bombs and small bomb containers each containing 236 4-lb. incendiaries. This configuration allowed for a high volume of incendiary devices to be delivered in a single mission.

36. German Incendiary Bombs: Nazi Germany began the campaign of incendiary bombings at the start of World War II with the bombing of Warsaw. They continued with the London Blitz and the bombing of Moscow, among other cities.

37. Allied Reprisal: The Allies responded with an extensive strategic bombing campaign that led to the near-annihilation of many German cities. This campaign included the use of incendiary bombs to destroy urban infrastructure and disrupt civilian life.

38. Incendiary Bomb Configurations: Various configurations of incendiary bombs were developed, including high-explosive versions and delayed high-explosive versions designed to kill rescuers and firefighters. These configurations aimed to maximize the destructive potential of incendiary devices.

39. Incendiary Bomb Design: Incendiary bombs often consisted of a hollow body made from aluminum-magnesium alloy with a cast iron/steel nose, filled with thermite incendiary pellets. These bombs could burn for up to ten minutes and were designed to cause prolonged fires.

40. Incendiary Bomb Deployment: Incendiary bombs were deployed in various ways, including small bombs, bomblet clusters, and large bombs. The deployment method was often tailored to the specific target, with small bombs used for precision strikes and large bombs used for area attacks.

Historical and Modern Impact

The historical and modern impact of incendiary devices is profound, affecting both military strategy and civilian life.

41. Incendiary Bomb Effects: The effects of incendiary bombs were devastating. They could destroy structures, damage crops, kill livestock, and cause significant human suffering. The burns inflicted by these devices were often severe and required prolonged treatment.

42. Incendiary Bomb History: The use of incendiary bombs dates back to ancient times. However, their widespread use began during World War II, where they played a significant role in military strategy and civilian destruction.

43. Incendiary Bomb Regulation: The use of incendiary bombs is regulated by international law. Protocol III to the CCW prohibits the use of incendiary weapons against civilian populations. However, loopholes in this protocol allow for the continued use of certain types of incendiary devices.

44. Incendiary Bomb Impact: The impact of incendiary bombs on civilians has been significant. They have caused widespread destruction, displacement, and human suffering. The psychological trauma inflicted by these devices can last a lifetime.

45. Incendiary Bomb Medical Response: The medical response to incendiary bomb attacks is challenging. Victims often require prolonged treatment, including daily dressing changes and skin grafts. The inadequate resources available in conflict zones exacerbate these challenges.

46. Incendiary Bomb Psychological Trauma: Survivors of incendiary bomb attacks often experience severe psychological trauma. The appearance-changing scars and the painful treatment process can lead to social exclusion and long-term psychological harm.

47. Incendiary Bomb Socioeconomic Impact: Incendiary bombs have a significant socioeconomic impact. They destroy homes, hospitals, schools, and farmland, leading to displacement and economic hardship. The destruction of infrastructure can take years to recover from.

48. Incendiary Bomb Military Strategy: Incendiary bombs have been a key component of military strategy throughout history. They are used to destroy urban infrastructure, disrupt civilian life, and weaken enemy forces. The use of these devices is often part of a broader military campaign.

49. Incendiary Bomb Development: The development of incendiary bombs involves the use of various materials, including thermite, napalm, magnesium powder, and white phosphorus. The design of these devices is often tailored to the specific target and deployment method.

50. Incendiary Bomb Legacy: The legacy of incendiary bombs is one of destruction and human suffering. These devices have been used in numerous conflicts, causing widespread devastation and long-term psychological trauma. Their use continues to be a topic of debate in international law and military strategy.

The Lasting Impact of Incendiary Devices

Incendiary devices have left a significant mark on history and warfare. From thermite and napalm to white phosphorus, these weapons have caused immense destruction and suffering. Their use in conflicts like World War II and the Syrian conflict highlights their devastating effects on both military targets and civilian populations. Despite regulations like Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, loopholes still allow for their use, leading to ongoing debates about their legality and morality. The severe burn injuries, psychological trauma, and socioeconomic harm inflicted by these devices underscore the need for stricter controls and better humanitarian responses. Understanding the history, types, and impacts of incendiary devices is crucial for addressing their future use and mitigating their devastating effects.