Molotov Cocktails, Whats the deal?

[narwan]

Originally Posted by Demtrek

I am not historian on the effectiveness of molotov cocktails, but if they work that good why did any army ever use anything else.

Would you want to walk around in combat carrying a breakable container with highly flammable liquid on the odd chance you run into an enemy vehicle? Think of all the diving into cover, bullets, shrapnel, jumping on and off transport vehicles, etc.

[Griefbringer]

The fragility of the bottles was surely a disadvantage. On a defensive position this would be less of an issue, you could stash the bottles relatively safely somewhere in the depths of your foxhole/trench, to be taken out if enemy tanks try to break into your positions.

But on more mobile operations their transportation would certainly pose its own problems. I have seen some Finnish pictures from Winter War with some soldiers having a couple of Molotov cocktails stashed under their belt. This did not look very comfortable (especially if running or bending), and any sort of diving for cover would put the bottles on the risk zone - never mind the simpler risk of the smooth surfaced bottle just slipping loose and falling to the ground.

As for jumping on and off transport vehicles, this was not a problem for vast majority of WWII infantrymen, who got to do most of their movement on foot, at least when anywhere close to the front line. Mechanised or motorised formations were a minority in many armies.

As for the bullets and shrapnel, I would be more worried about what they would do to my body than to any bottle I was carrying around.

However, I am reminded of a certain story I read in a book about Stalingrad. A Soviet infantryman prepares to throw a lighted Molotov at a German tank that has advanced close. However, just before he manages to throw it a bullet shatters the bottle, the contents of which catch fire and set the poor infantryman alight. Then the now burning infantryman runs to the tank, climbs on the engine deck, and smashes another Molotov that he had on the engine deck.

Griefbringer

[narwan]

Originally Posted by Griefbringer

As for the bullets and shrapnel, I would be more worried about what they would do to my body than to any bottle I was carrying around.

Griefbringer

Oh, the bullet could do serious after shattering the molotov. But being drenched in petrol isn't exactly going to add to your chance of survival. And if you're very unlucky (like the soviet infantryman in that story) you may burn alive. Not a prospect anyone looks forward too. And not a risk soldier wanted too take if they could avoid it.

Molotov's are basically too risky to have around in just about anything but prepared defensive positions. From that perspective just about any alternative that can take out a tank is preferrable to a molotov. So when those alternatives became available in quantity, out went the molotovs (pun intended ).

Narwan

[chuckfourth]

Oh I see extra suppression, hadnt noticed, very nice thanks for the info.

[Griefbringer]

If you are feeling gamey, you can try taking the self-propelled versions of the flame-rocket launchers next time you will be facing dug in Soviet infantry. Once you have located the enemy, fire the rockets directly at them - one flame rocket in the correct hex should be enough to set them running.

Griefbringer

[chuckfourth]

Ive used them a bit before a full battery in a restricted space (a town is ideal) followed up by panzergrenadiers is pretty much irresistable. They are worth buying just for the fantastic explosion gaphic anyway, when you see those go off you feel like youve won the battle already.

[Lt. Ketch]

The whole story behind the russian getting hit while carrying a molotov related by Greifbringer is that he was in a fox hole with three other guys being a approched by three tanks. The Soldier, Matrusov (sp?), charged the lead tanks and the described situation occured. After his kamakazi run, the other three tanks pealed off and headed in another direction. Not bad for a one man assult. If you ever get the chance go to the Panarama Museum in Volgagrad (Former Stalingrad) and check out the gallery at the top. It's shown dipicted there. I wish I could post my picture of it.