The importance of flame, propelled from portable or mechanized flamethrowers or dropped from aircraft, cannot be overestimated in Pacific operations. Since it was first used on a large scale in 1943, it has proven one of the most effective of all the weapons marshalled against the Japanese. In New Guinea and New Georgia, New Britain and Bougainville, in the Gilberts, Marshalls, Marianas, Palaus, Philippines, Bonins and Ryukyus, flame has killed Japanese and saved American lives. Its importance is further enhanced as we find increasing numbers of heavily fortified caves and other underground defenses which would defy most other weapons. In some of the only actions where the Japanese withdrew from prepared positions instead of dying in them, it was the flame that made up their minds.

N7455 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.