Flame fougasse
Country of origin
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
ManufacturerPetroleum Warfare Department
A flame fougasse (sometimes contracted to fougasse and may be spelled foo gas) is a type of mine or improvised explosive device which uses an explosive charge to project burning liquid onto a target. The flame fougasse was developed by the Petroleum Warfare Department in Britain as an anti-tank weapon during the invasion crisis of 1940. During that period, about 50,000 flame fougasse barrels were deployed in some 7,000 batteries, mostly in southern England and a little later at 2,000 sites in Scotland. Although never used in combat in Britain, the design saw action later in Greece.
Later in World War II, Germany and Russia developed flame-throwing mines that worked on a somewhat different principle.
After World War II, flame fougasses similar to the original British design were used in several conflicts including the Korean and Vietnam Wars, where they were improvised from easily available parts. The flame fougasse remains in army field manuals as a battlefield expedient to the present day.
Later in World War II, Germany and Russia developed flame-throwing mines that worked on a somewhat different principle.
After World War II, flame fougasses similar to the original British design were used in several conflicts including the Korean and Vietnam Wars, where they were improvised from easily available parts. The flame fougasse remains in army field manuals as a battlefield expedient to the present day.
