Section IX OPERATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS
41. WET CONDITIONS.
The M2-2 flame thrower may be carried and fired successfully in the rain or even after short immersion in water. After use when wet, it should be dried to prevent rusting, cleaned, and lubricated. (Pars [49] and [55]) Areas where paint has worn off should be touched up with fresh paint. The weapon should be stored in a dry place. Moisture must not be allowed to enter fuel, ingredients of fuel, or containers of ignition cylinders.
42. DUST AND MUD.
Keep all possible dust, earth, and mud out of the flame thrower; particles may interfere with the operation of spring case, valves, bearings, and pressure regulator. Store weapons and auxiliary equipment in closed chests and boxes when not in use. ([Par 77]) Clean before use. (Pars [51] and [52])
43. HEAT.
A hot climate or exposure to the sun makes the fuel thinner when in containers. Thin fuel has shorter range; it is largely consumed in the air before it reaches usual effective ranges. Where the climate is torrid, less gasoline or other thinning agents should be used in a fuel blend than normally. (Pars [34] through [36])
44. COLD.
Cold weather reduces total heat produced at target but seldom enough to seriously lower value of a firing mission. Incendiary effects may be decreased because materiel is less flammable when cold. The weapon may be used at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. To improve ignition, use more gasoline in fuel than normally. (Pars [34] through [36])
45. WIND.
Flame throwers should not be fired into strong head winds or across strong side winds. ([Par 23])
Section X DEMOLITION
TO PREVENT ENEMY USE
46. DESTRUCTION PROCEDURE.
If circumstances should force abandonment of chemical warfare materiel in the field, it is destroyed or rendered useless to prevent its use or study by the enemy. The following methods are recommended:
a. Flame thrower. One or more small-arms bullets through the fuel tanks will prevent any immediate use of the flame thrower. Additional rounds may be put through the pressure tank. If the pressure tank is charged, the pressure-tank valve should be opened for a few seconds, thus permitting the contents to dissipate. This is necessary if rounds are to be fired point-blank. The gun may be rendered useless by bending it over a hard object. A sledge or ax will demolish valves and tubes. A fragmentation grenade will also achieve demolition.
b. Filling and charging apparatus. The flexible tubing, gages, and valves may be destroyed by blows with an ax, sledge, or other heavy instrument. The large pressure cylinders are rendered useless by releasing the contents and then destroying the valves by blows with an ax or sledge. Cylinders can be stacked like cordwood in groups of five and demolished by the detonation of four 1/2-pound blocks (2 pounds) of TNT in their midst. The air compressor may be destroyed by a similar procedure.
c. Fuel. Burn.
d. Mixing apparatus. Containers and filling lines may be rendered useless by ax or sledge blows, or by small-arms fire.
e. Thickener. Cans of thickener should be broken open. Contents should be thrown into a fire or into a body of water.
f. Ignition cylinders. Burn to destroy. Personnel should stay several yards from the fire because the cylinders ignite with a slight detonation.