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Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website This 1940s War Department training film “Main Armament / Flame Thrower in Medium Tank / Servicing and the Service Unit“ looks at how to service a flamethrower tank and the servicing unit itself. It shows a Sherman Flamethrower Tank arriving next to the servicing unit and the crews go through all of the steps to refuel the tank and what to keep in mind while doing this hazardous procedure. This is followed by a look at the servicing unit itself and different tricks and techniques that are needed for maintenance and repair. 0:08 War Department Official Training Film T.F. 3 1454 Army Service Forces, 0:14 produced by Army Pictorial Service Signal Corps, 0:18 “Main Armament Flame Thrower in Medium Tank – Part 3 Servicing and the Service Unit”, 0:32 a mechanized flamethrower in action, 0:52 a service truck modified to resupply the flamethrower, 1:17 crew setting up equipment to refuel the flamethrower, 1:35 different parts of the refueling unit including the fuel mixing tank, the air compressor, and the power take off, 2:15 the flamethrower Sherman tank arrives and gets into position, 2:46 crews moving barrels of gasoline, 3:05 crew prepares the tank for servicing, 3:50 the service unit preparing their truck for servicing by turning off the ignition and engaging the service equipment, 5:30 speedometer and engine showing the right speed needed to operate the service equipment, 6:17 soldier demonstrates how to charge the flamethrower with air, 7:00 soldier connects the air hoses to the right places on the flamethrower, 8:10 crew preparing both vehicles for the air charge, 8:57 soldier engages the compressor, 9:22 soldiers begin preparing thickened fuel mixture, 10:21 gasoline being pumped out of drums, 10:43 soldier preparing thickener, 11:39 soldier pours the thickener into the mixing tank, 12:03 soldier demonstrating how to determine the right mix, 12:30 a look at the different gages needed for the air charging process, 13:42 soldiers preparing the equipment for fuel transfer, 14:19 crew connecting the fuel hose to the flamethrower, 14:42 fuel transfer begins, 15:17 crew stops the air charge process and begins loosening valves to remove pressure from the system so that they can begin removing hoses, 16:36 crew rolling up hoses, 16:58 crew emptying excess fuel into an overflow can, 17:10 different valves being closed, 17:28 fuel in the hose being bled into a bucket, 17:41 fuel hose being disconnected, 18:28 crew preparing to fill secondary and atomizer fuel tanks, 18:48 soldier pouring gasoline into secondary tank, 19:10 crew filling atomizer, 19:40 crew closing fuel caps, 20:13 service unit doing preventative maintenance such as lubricating necessary parts, checking for oil, belt wear, and general wear and tear, 21:55 soldier showing the water jacket and other water pipes and how to service these, 22:40 trouble shooting hints for the fuel hose, the compressor, 23:42 soldier adjusting pressure valves for gages, 24:02 flamethrower tank in action During WWII U.S. Naval Construction Battalions (“Seabees“) modified/created all of the main armament flame throwing tanks that were used in the Pacific War: by USMC in the Battle of Saipan, Battle of Tinian, Battle of Iwo Jima, and by the U.S. Army in the Battle of Okinawa. U.S. troops preferred to follow them over standard armor for the fear they put in the enemy. On Iwo Jima the Marines learned that conventional firearms were relatively ineffective against the Japanese defenders and effectively used flamethrowers and grenades to flush out Japanese troops in the tunnels. One of the technological innovations of the battle, the eight Sherman M4A3R3 medium tanks equipped with flamethrowers (“Ronson“ or “Zippo“ tanks), proved very effective at clearing Japanese positions. The Shermans were difficult to disable, such that defenders were often compelled to assault them in the open, where they would face the full firepower of marine rifle and machine gun fire. The maximum range of a flamethrower was typically less than 150 metres. Because of this limitation, the flamethrower was virtually useless on an open battlefield. However, they proved a potent psychological weapon against fortified troops. In many instances, troops surrendered or fled upon seeing a flame tank fire ranging shots, rather than risk being burned alive. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
