Tanks with flamethrowers in WW2

I created this topic since I need to know more about tanks with flamethrowers during World War 2, but I will also share what I know, hence why I created the thread here, rather than in "Information Requests". Move the topic if it suits better elsewhere.

So far I know that the Germans employed a PzKpfW III with a flamethrower turret:
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3862/flammpanzeriiiausfmwn0.jpg

And that the Russians had the KV-8 and the OT-34:
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/5678/kv8pic1cutcd2.jpg
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2787/urldy9.jpg

In the OT-34 the flamethrower is in the hull, while it is next to the turret when it comes to the KV-8 by the looks of it.

I'm sure they had more than that, but that's the ones I'm positive about.

What types of flamethrower tanks did the Americans and Brits have, if anyone happens to know? I'm sure the Americans had a Sherman with a flamethrower.

Feel free to share what you know about flamethrower tanks here, and just discuss in general.

/Kommando

 

Can't supply details for your query, but I've seen several photos of American flame tanks used in the Pacific battles. Perhaps a search of that theater would yield more information.

JT

 

The British had the Churchill crocodile and a few Matilda conversions too.
Crocodile

Matilda Frog

The Canadians also made the Ram badger varient.

 

The US used the M4A3R3.

 

"Jap Flame Tank" from Intelligence Bulletin

[SIZE=-1]A report on Japanese flamethrower tanks captured on Luzon, from the U.S. Intelligence Bulletin, September 1945.
[Editor's Note: The following article is wartime information on enemy tactics and equipment published for Allied soldiers. In most cases, more accurate data is available in postwar publications.] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]

JAP FLAME TANK​

[/SIZE]


American troops, particularly those who have seen the powerful U.S. flame-throwing tank in action, may be interested to know that the Japs also have a flame vehicle, and have apparently had it off the production line for some time. U.S. infantrymen, mopping up the northern area of Luzon, have recently captured eight of these fire machines—believed the first enemy weapons of this type to be found.
To date there has been no reported instance of the Japanese using vehicle-mounted flame throwers against our troops. The vehicles captured in northern Luzon were found either concealed and dug in, or parked and camouflaged in forested terrain. Inspection of one of the vehicles reveals that the tank hull was constructed in 1939, but that the interior parts, such as the flame-throwing equipment and the motor, were built in 1940 and 1941. This may indicate that the vehicle was constructed originally for some other purpose, and was later converted to a mobile, armored flame thrower.
THE TANK
This Jap tank is a full-tracked, armored vehicle which should be easily recognized by its unusual appearance. With an over-all length of 19 1/2 feet, and width of 7 feet, the vehicle is approximately 5 feet high. This low silhouette is broken only by a small "conning tower" which rises about 5 inches above the otherwise completely flat top. Perhaps the most outstanding feature, which is found on some of the vehicles, is a horn-like fork arranged over the tracks on each side of the tank front. These forks, which give the tank a weird and distinct appearance, are presumably used for uprooting mines or tearing down barbed wire in advance of the tank. The vehicle is entered by two hatches—one in the top of the conning tower, and the other on top of the tank hull at the right rear corner. Except for the tracks, the forks, and the conning tower, the vehicle when seen from a distance resembles the U.S. amphibious "duck."
The thickest armor plate—1 inch—is found on the front surface of the tank hull, while the sides, rear, and engine covers are 1/2 inch thick. The hatch covers and the top armor, except for the engine covers, are only 1/4 inch thick. This hull armor has the appearance of being face hardened.
This tank, unlike other Japanese models, is mounted on a leaf-spring suspension, with four springs on each side of the tank hull, mounted in pairs parallel with the length of the vehicle. Each side of the tank has eight bogie wheels mounted in pairs, two pairs on each end of a pair of leaf springs. The drive sprocket is at the rear of the tank, and the idler wheel at the front. On some models there are three track return rollers on each side, but on others only two.
The tank is powered by an air-cooled, 6-cylinder, in-line, Diesel engine. Highest reading on the speedometer is approximately 25 miles per hour, indicating a top speed somewhere under that figure.
THE ARMAMENT
The armament examined on one tank is not particularly formidable. It consists of two Type 97 7.7-mm tank machine guns in addition to the flame-throwing apparatus. One of these guns is located in a flexible mount in the exact center of the upper front armor. The other is in a similar mount on the left side of the tank, well forward. Both guns have about a 10-degree right and left traverse, and a minus 5 to plus 10 degrees elevation. Although these guns can fire at a rate of from 500 to 700 rounds per minute, they do not have a very wide field of fire, and leave quite a bit of dead space, particularly in rear of the tank.
Side view of the flame-thrower tank which mounts five flame guns. Flame fuel tanks for this model are inside the vehicle. Flame gun mounts may be seen on the forward part of the tank on the side and the side-front armor. Another view of this tank is shown above.
Two flame guns of an unidentified type were mounted on the tank examined—one in the front armor to the right of the machine gun, and the other on the right side of the rear armor. Some tanks of this type mount a third flame thrower on the left side toward the front. On another tank, a variation of the same model, there were mounts for five flame guns, one in front and two on each side. In both types of tanks, the flame guns are set in flexible mounts with the same traverse and elevation as the machine guns. On one tank examined there was a flame fuel capacity of 504 liters.
When the flame guns are fired, the fuel is ignited by a carbon arc, the electrical current probably coming from the engine generator. It is believed that these guns have a range of from 100 to 150 feet. As far as can be determined, these five-man vehicles are used by Japanese engineer troops as assault tanks designed to destroy entanglements and to kill personnel in fortifications. These tanks, however, would be effective only against personnel equipped with nothing more than small arms.

This model of the flame-thrower tank has the fuel tanks outside the vehicle and over the bogie wheels. It mounts three flame guns, one of which is seen mounted well forward on the side armor. The large tank on the rear of the vehicle is believed to be the pressure tank.
​

Lone Sentry: Jap Flame Tank (WWII U.S. Intelligence Bulletin, September 1945)

 

OT-26 (KhT-26) flame thrower tank [1]

OT-130 flame thrower tank [3]

OT-133 [3]

OT-134. Tank OT-134 being tested in Kubinka in summer of 1940. The flame-thrower is clearly seen in the mid section of the sloping armour plating to the hull. The vehicle originated came from the Karelian isthmus and had been combat. To reduce weight the additional armor had been removed [6]

 

There is also the M3/M3A1 with Satan Flame-gun. Flame thrower was installed instead of the main gun. 20 tanks were converted for US Marine Corps in 1943. There was also a version for the M3 Lee/Grant.


"In 1944, the conversion process to create flamethrower tanks was urgently implemented at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, to install the E3-3 flame gun on the obsolete light tank, M3. Soldiers and Seabees modified the tanks with locally produced fuel tanks capable of holding 170 gallons of unthickened fuel. The flame gun mount on the modified tanks offered a flame projection of 180-240 feet, depending on wind and atmosphere conditions.
Twenty-four of the modified Satans were used on Saipan (assigned to the 2d and 4th Marine Divisions). U.S. Marine Corps personnel were enthusiastic about operating the Satan. In one incidence, 200 Japanese were entrenched in a cave and holding up the Allied advance. A Satan was called up and, in conjunction with machine guns, flushed the Japanese from the cave, killing 150 enemy personnel and capturing 50.
While formal modifications were being pursued in Hawaii by the Chemical Warfare Service and the Navy, U.S. Forces in the field had a similar improvement idea: replace the .30-caliber machine gun on the bow of the light tank, M3 with an E3-3 flame gun. The Marines had experimented with the Canadian Ronson flamethrower on their amphibious vehicles, so modifying a tank with a flamethrower seemed like a logical next step. The war in the Pacific was marked by innovation, including the contributions made by U.S. Forces in the field. The flamethrower tank was very much a weapon improved by its operators."

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IUN/is_2007_July-Dec/ai_n20526915/pg_3

 

Matilda Frog

 

JCF you've done it again!

 

Italy




3. FLAME-THROWER TANK
The flame-thrower tank, technically known as L3.33 L.F., is a light tank which weighs 3 1/2 tons. One was captured in the North Africa operations and has been examined in the British Isles.
The flame-thrower projector is mounted at the front of the tank, replacing one of the two 8-mm machine guns in the turret. It throws a flame 40 to 45 yards. At a continuous rate, the flame will burn for 2 minutes and 15 seconds. It can be cut off and on at will, and generally is operated only a few seconds at a time.
The tank has a fuel trailer, which consists of a two-wheeled chassis with a tow bar connecting with the tank. Fitted to the bar is an armor-plated shell which houses a rectangular light steel fuel tank. At the rear end of the tank, under a hinged cover, is mounted a semirotary hand pump with necessary connections for refueling, defueling, and mixing the substances which form the fuel.
A second and larger pump, to force the fuel from the trailer to the flame projector, is located in the rear part of the tank, immediately behind the engine fan. The pump, operated by power from the engine, is connected to the projector by two pipes—one to deliver fuel and the other to return any not used. An electric ignition system is used to start and stop the functioning of the flame thrower. The current is generated by power from the tank engine."

Lone Sentry: Flame Throwers, Italian (WWII U.S. Intelligence Bulletin, December 1942)

"The L3 Lf (Lancia fiamme, "flamethrower") was another variant of the L3. Development began in 1935. The flamethrower nozzle replaced one of the machineguns, and the flame fuel was carried in an armored trailer towed by the vehicle. Later versions had the fuel carried in a box-shaped tank mounted above the L3's engine compartment. The L3 Lf saw action in Spain, France, the Balkans, North Africa and Italian East Africa and weighed 5 tonnes. "

CV-35 - Information from Reference.com

 

"Flame-Throwing Pz. Kw. 3" from Intelligence Bulletin

[SIZE=-1]An article on the WWII German Panzer III Flamethrower Tank from the July 1944 issue of the Intelligence Bulletin.
[Editor's Note: The following article is wartime information on enemy equipment published for Allied soldiers. More accurate data on German weapons and equipment is available in postwar publications.] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]

FLAME-THROWING Pz. Kw. 3​

[/SIZE]

The German flame-throwing Pz. Kw. 3 (see fig. 3) appeared for the first time during the early fighting in Italy. This tank is a standard Pz. Kw. 3, Model L or later, with a flame thrower mounted in the turret in place of the normal 50-mm Kw. K., Model 39, which it resembles outwardly (see fig. 4). [1] The two machine guns, one coaxially mounted in the turret and the other in a ball mounting in the front of the superstructure, are retained.
The flame projector has a limited elevation (from -10° to 20°), while the turret has the full 360° traverse.
Fuel (225 gallons), contained in two tanks stowed internally, is propelled by a centrifugal pump driven by a small gasoline engine mounted in the engine compartment. Using fuel of the type thus far encountered, the flame thrower is believed to have a maximum range of about 55 yards and an effective range of about 40 yards. However, they have been used mainly at ranges of 20 to 30 yards.
In the flame-throwing tank, the crew is reduced from five to three. The flame thrower is aimed and operated by the tank commander, who has two pedals—the right controlling fuel emission and the left firing the coaxial machine gun. The gunner and loader are dispensed with, and their crew space is occupied by the flame thrower’s fuel tanks.
Figure 3.—Comparison of Flame-throwing Pz. Kw. 3 with
Standard, Pz. Kw. 3.
Figure 4.—Pz. Kw. 3, Model L, with Flame Thrower.
As might be expected, the normal smoke equipment is retained—that is, triple smoke pot dischargers on each side of the turret.
The following is a recent instance of the tactics of German flame-throwing tanks against U.S. infantry:
Two German flame-throwing tanks, together with three other tanks, supported a German platoon in an attack on a forward position occupied by a platoon of U.S. infantry. The attack was preceded by an artillery and mortar barrage which continued for 1 hour. The tanks moved forward, and shelled and machine-gunned the position at a range of 50 yards. When U.S. troops attempted to withdraw from the sector, the flame-throwing tanks then joined the action, using their primary weapon against the personnel. In this action the German infantrymen, equipped with machine pistols, moved forward with the armored vehicles. The flame throwers were used intermittently over a 30-minute period and were reported to have a range of 30 yards. [SIZE=-1]1 Kw. K. (Kampfwagenkanone) = tank gun.[/SIZE]


Lone Sentry: Flame-Throwing Panzer III Tank (U.S. WWII Intelligence Bulletin, July 1944)

 

"The LVT A4 and the E7-7 Flamethrower

The successful demonstrations of the E7-7 flamethrower immediately interested the Navy and Marine Corps, who were looking to arm landing craft with flamethrowers to spray beach defenses and suppress or destroy enemy defenders. The earliest armament in the landing vehicle, tracked (LVT) series was heavy machine guns; the Mark 1 (LVTA1) and Mark 2 (LVTA2) models were equipped with 37-millimeter guns in an M5 tank turret. Some LVTs even had 75-millimeter Howitzer cannons. Flamethrower guns replaced standard guns in LVT, Mark 4 (LVT A4).
The LVT A1 had eight high-pressure gas cylinders to supply fuel to an improved spark plug ignition system. The LVT A4 could carry 220 gallons of fuel internally. When fuel left the fuel tanks (pressurized at 350 pounds per square inch), it was ignited by the spark plugs. The turret (which directed the flame and projected fire a distance of 330 feet) and a small flame gun barrel were improvements over previous experimental Army flamethrower models developed in the early 1940s.
[ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]
The baptism for LVT A4 flamethrower vehicles came shortly after their delivery to the Navy in September 1944, where they were used during fighting on Peleliu in the South Pacific and later at Ngesebus to destroy caves and bunkers (in conjunction with the 75-millimeter armed LVT A4s, tank dozers, and infantry support). In one instance, a Marine battalion was halted by enemy fire from an extremely large blockhouse. After personnel used a tank dozer to fill in an antitank ditch, an LVTA4 flamethrower vehicle closed in to the required range and fired, resulting in 60 enemy casualties. The 75-millimeter Howitzers often did not have enough firepower to completely destroy bunkers, but the flamethrower completed the mission. U.S. Forces later discovered in Peleliu that the Japanese moved their troops around underground to reopen blocked bunkers. The use of flamethrowers disrupted the Japanese tactical strategy. (8)"

U.S. Army flamethrower vehicles: | CML Army Chemical Review | Find Articles at BNET

 

Universal Carrier "Wasp"

Flame thrower adaptation of the basic Bren carrier for the Canadian Army in WW2.

 

FlammPanzer II "Flamingo"
Achtung Panzer! - Limited Production Models !

 

Panzerkampfwagen B2(f) (Flamm) The captured frech tank Char B1bis was used by the Germans calling it Char B2(f). Hitler wanted 24 of these tanks to be converted to Flammpanzer until the latest of 20th June 1941 to have them ready for Operation 'Barbarossa'.
For the conversion the 75mm cannon was replaced by a flame spray tube. That was, like the original 75mm cannon, only vertically movable.
A second version was built where in place of the 75mm cannon a small platform was installed, on which traversable turret (like on Flammpanzer II) was mounted. The flamethrower-operator got a vision slit, which was cut in the front plate. Both versions had the flame fuel tank internally.
All 24 Flammpanzer were issued to Panzerabteilung (F) 102, which supported successfully the attacks on the russian border fortress 'Wieki Dzial'. On 27th July 1941 the Panzerabteilung (F) 102 was disbanded.
The third version of the flame-tanks received a new flamethrower which achieved ranges of 40-45 meter, by propelling the flamefuel by a pump which was driven by a J10-engine. The spray-tube was this time placed in a ball-mount and the flamethrower operator received the drivers visor 50 (Fahrersehklappe 50). The new series of Flammpanzer could be recognized by the flamefuel-tank on the rear, which was 30mm armoured. All 24 tanks of first and second series were converted to third series and so 60 vehicles were produced.
In the turret remained the 47mm KwK35(f) L/34 and a 7.5mm MG(f). There were 50 rounds carried for the 47mm cannon. This tank weighted 32 tons and the armour protection consisted of 55mm plates at the turret front and 45mm at turret sides and rear. The Chassis had 60mm in front and at the sides and 45mm at the rear. The length of this Flammpanzer was 6.52m, the width 2.52m and the height 2.88m. The groundpressure was 0.85kg/cm2, and it had a fording depth of 72cm. The 16.94 litre Renault engine gave 300 hp at 1900rpm, so a maximum speed of 28km/h was achievable.
All in all 60 Panzer B2(Flamm) got the new flamethrower system and were issued to following units: 12 to Panzerkompanie 223 at Eastern Front, 24 to Panzer-Brigade 100 in the west, 10 to Panzer Abteilung 213 in the west and an unknown number to the 7.SS Freiwilligen Gebirgs Divison "Prinz Eugen" in Jugoslavia.
Flammanlage on Tiger Chassis
On 5th December 1944 Hitler said on a conference that a long-range flamethrower must be installed on a tank with heaviest possible armor. he suggested on 29th December 1944 the Jagdtiger for flamethrowersystem carrier, if it is possible to achieve flamethrowing ranges of 200 meters.
in January 1945 it was reported that new developed flamethrower had ranges of 120-140 meter. These needed compresses nitrogene to achieve a pressure of 20-25 athmosperes.
Plans were made to mount such a flamethrower in a Tiger I, replacing the bow machine gun. Flamefuel tanks of 800 litres should be installed which means that no further original armament (8.8cm KwK L/56) was possible.
on 19th March 1945 Hitler again specifically ordered to build the flamethrowing system with 100-120 meter range into a turretless Tiger I. The manufacturer Wegmann in Kassel promised to complete this Flammpanzer until 15th April 1945 if the Tiger and the flamethrower-system are delivered to them on schedule.
The Tiger I and the flamethrower-system were both loaded on a train on 17th March 1945 in Kummersdorf and left with highest priority heading for Kassel, but it had'nt arrived there until 3rd April 1945. because of the chaotic situation in Kassel it was decided to send the train to Miag in Braunschweig where the Flammpanzer should be assembled under the direction of Wegmann-personnel.
Because of the 17 days lost on transport, the bombing campaign and Allied troop advances disrupted any further activity on completion of the experimental Schwerst-Flammpanzer (heaviest flamethrowing tank) on Tiger I Chassis.

German flamethrowing tanks

 

Sd.Kfz.251/16 medium flamethrowing vehicle

The medium armoured personnel carrier (Sd.Kfz.251) was built in many variants, among them also a vehicle with flamethrower (Sd.Kfz.251/16). The first were built on the Chassis of Ausf.C, later Chassis of Ausf.D was used. The painting scheme was base dark yellow, often oversprayed with camouflage pattern of dark olive green (RAL6003) and dark chocolate brown (RAL8017).
The main armament was two 14mm spray-tubes with quick closing valves, also a hand-held 7mm spraytube with 10m flexible hose and two MG34 or MG42. There were 700 litres of flame fuel carried and 2010 rounds for the MG's.
The flame fuel was pressed with 15 atmospheres to the spray tubes by a Koebe HL II 40/40 1000/200 pump, which was driven by a 1.1 litre two-stroke DKW-Motor with 28 hp. The spraytubes attached on both sides of the vehicle could each be traversed through an arc of 160°. The flamethrower range was about 40 meters. The hand-held 7mm flamethrower was only used in the early versions of the 251/16.
The length of the vehicle was 5.8m, the width 2.1m and the height 2.1m. It was armored at the front with 14.5mm plates, at the sides and rear with 8mm plates. It weighted 8.62 tons and was powered by a Maybach HL42-TUKRM with 100 hp. A maximum speed of 50km/h was achieved.
The production of the 251/16 began in January 1943 and 347 vehicles were produced, mainly from Wumag in Görlitz.

Panzerkampfwagen II (Flamm) Ausf.A and B, "Flamingo" (Sd.Kfz.122)




On 21st January 1939 ordnance department received the authorisation to develop a 0-Serie of Flammpanzer. MAN and Daimler-Benz were contracted to build the chassis as well as superstructure and turret. The Panzer II Ausf.D and E were used for conversion to Flammpanzer. Panzer of the mark D can be identified by the dry pin track, and the mark E by the lubrictaed pin track and altered drive sprocket.
The were two Flammenwerfer nozzles in traversable spray heads located at the front of each fender, additionally a MG34 was put in the new designed turret. About 320 litres of flame fuel were carried which could be propulsed by compressed nitrogene up to 40m through the spray heads. For the MG there were 1800 rounds of ammo carried. The turret got driver's visors for better viewing and directing the spray heads.
The armor protection consisted of 30mm at the chassis front and 14.5mm at chassis sides and rear. The turret was also protected at the front by 30mm plates and 20mm at the sides and rear. The length of the Flammpanzer II was 4.9m, the width 2.4m and the height 1.85m. With a weight of 12 tons the ground pressure was 0.85kg/cm2. It was powered by a 6.2 litre Maybach HL62TRM with 140hp at 2600rpm, giving the tank the ability to achieve a maximum speed of 55km/h. 1.7m wide trenches could be crossed, step climbing ability was 42cm and the fording depth 90cm.
In January 1940 the first Flammpanzer II was completed and in March 1940 43 Panzer II Ausf.D were taken out of troop-service to be converted to Flammpanzer II. While it was worked on the first order of 90 Flammpanzer II, a second order of 150 Flammpanzer was placed on 8th March 1940. From the first series there were 93 vehicles completed which were marked as Panzerkampfwagen II (Flamm) Ausf.A. The second series was then marked as Ausf.B and only 62 of these were built, because it was seen that the design was no great success.
The 'Panzer Abteilung (F)' 100 and 101 got each 42 Flammpanzer II which were used in Operation 'Barbarossa' on 22th June 1941. Of these vehicles were on 20th October 1941 only 7 were operational in 'Panzer Abteilung (F) 100' and on 8th November 1941 only 5 in the 'Panzer Abteilung (F) 101'. The tanks of the 'Abteilung 100' had a unit symbol to diffentiate from other units. They used a multicolored flame as unit symbol. The 'Abteilung 101' used crossed flamethrowers as emblem, which was painted in light green on the turret rear.
On the right you can see a photo of a destroyed Pz.Kpfw.II(F), which was hit in July 1941 in Russia. This photo is one of the rare front view shots of this tank.

Flammpanzer 38(t) Hetzer




On 27th November 1944 Hitler ordered that in a special action a great number of Flammpanzer should be completed. Therefore 20 Jagdpanzer 'Hetzer' were determined to be converted into Flammpanzer 38(t). On 8th December 1944 these 20 vehicles were taken from prodution line for conversion.
The Flammpanzer 38 had a 14mm spray tube and 700 litres of flame fuel which was propelled by pressure given by a Koebe-pump. For ignition there were cartridges used. The range of the flamethrower was about 50 meters. Furthermore there was a MG34 with 1200 rounds installed on the roof which could be used from the inside of the tank.
The vehicle was 4.87m long, 2.63m wide and 2.1m high. It weighted 13.5 tons and was armored 60mm at the front, 20mm at sides and rear. The 6-cylinder engine Praga AC with 7754cm3 gave 140hp at 2600rpm. A maximum speed of 42km/h was possible. The trench crossing abilty was 1.3m, step climbing ability was 65cm and the fording depth 90cm.
On 26.December the 20 Flammpanzer were completed and ready for Operation "Nordwind". They were issued to Panzer-Flamm-Kompanie 352 and 353, each getting 10 tanks. On 15th March 1945 Panzer-Flamm-Kompanie 352 reported 11 Flammpanzer 38 from which 8 were operational.

</H2>Sturmgeschütz (Fl)




On a conference with Hitler early in December 1943 it was decided that 10 StuG III should get the Schwade flamethrower-system installed. First it was said to take the ten StuG's from production lines, but then it was decided that StuG's should be used that came back for repair.
The ordnance department reported nine completed StuG (Flamm) in May 1943 and one in June. these ten StuG(Fl) were issued to Panzertruppenschule I and transported by rail on 29th June 1943. One of the vehicles catched fire there and burnt out. It was sent back in July 1943 and was repaired. In September 1943 this StuG came back to it's unit. It is unknown if these StuG (Flamm) were ever used in combat.
In January 1944 all 10 vehicles were sent back to ordnance depot where they were re-converted to 'normal' StuG's, what means that they again got the 7.5cm StuK40 L/48.
The photo on the right seems to be the only one that exists of a StuG III (Flamm), which was converted from a StuG III Ausf.F/8.
Additionaly to the 14mm spray tube a MG34 with 600 rounds was on board. The flamethrower range was about 55 meters. The weight of the vehicle was 23 tons, the length 5.52m, the width 2.95m and the height 2.16m. The front was 80mm armored, the sides 30mm and the chassis rear 50mm, while the superstructure rear only had 30mm.

Flamethrower on Panzer I Ausf.A



The first Flammpanzer I was created on a Chassis of the Ausf.B in Spanish Civil War. On 30th March 1939 a report was written to German General Staff that it was easy to replace the right hand MG of the Panzer I by a hand-held flamethrower.
The Germans 'remembered' that while the battles in North Africa. Here the 5th light Division took some Panzer I Ausf.A and replaced the right hand MG by the'kleiner Rucksackflammenwerfer 40' (small backpack flamethrower), which were borrowed from combat engineers. The converted tanks were used in the battles around Tobruk and should smoke out the occupants of the concrete emplacements in the Tobruk perimeter defence.
The range of the flamethrower was about 25 meter. There was enough flame fuel for 10-12 one second spurts. Further technical data of the tank were those of the normal Panzer I Ausf.A.
More details are not known.

German flamethrowing tanks

 

What an ugly bastard

 

Yes it is!! LOL. Looks like something that could have been Japanese Anime LOL.

 

Valentine Flamethrower

 

M5-4 (E12-7R1) Mechanized Flame Thrower Installed in M4A1 or M4A3 Medium Tanks


Under contract OEMsr-390 and at the request of Chemical Warfare Service, the Standard Oil Development Company undertook the development and design of the Mechanized Flame Thrower E12-7R1 which was later standardized as the M5-4. Much of the development work had been completed in the design of the earlier Model Q prototype, the Navy Mark 1 the E7-7 (M5A1 light tank), and the R7-LVT-Al (amphibious tank) units, but additional improvements were developed and tested under the M5-4 assignment. Acting as engineering consultants for Chemical Warfare Service, and with the guidance and cooperation of Chemical Warfare Service-Technical Division, Headquarters A.S.F., and the New Developments Division, the assignment was carried out in close cooperation with the C.W.S. prime contractor, the M. W. Kellogg Company, and their subcontractor, the Lecourtenay Company. Initiated in August, 1944, this assignment also included the inspection and testing of the first twenty units, which were completed in May, 1945, establishing inspection procedures for large scale production, training of two U.S. Army instructor teams, issuing operating and maintenance manuals, and providing a field consultant under O.F.S. in the theater of operations.



http://stinet.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADB279984&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf