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From: kiravuo@kampi.hut.fi (Timo Kiravuo)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Napalm (was: Re: Tanks and Finns)
Message-ID: <8130@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 11 Jul 89 01:28:11 GMT
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From: kiravuo@kampi.hut.fi (Timo Kiravuo)
In article <7946@cbnews.ATT.COM> moscom!de@cs.rochester.edu (Dave Esan) writes:
>and Cambodia.  To get around this ban the CIA shipped Tide laundry 
>detergent, which was mixed in 55 gallons drums with aviation fuel to 
>produce a napalm like substance.  This was then used where needed without
>violating the export laws.

Basically napalm is jellified gasoline. When I was in army, it
was made in a can by pouring in gasoline and soap detergent, like
above. The mixture was mixed with a stick for a couple of hours
and then left to set for overnight. This was done outside
(gasoline fumes etc.). I don't recommend this for anyone, and
besides, you can't sue me, becouse I'm in Finland. :-) (I'm
getting paranoid of the Americans, they'll sue anything that has
money.)

I have heard that there are versions of napalm that are
self-lighting, burn in water etc.

We were taught that a napalm attack is not very dangerous to
trained troops. Usually a plane first flies over and the returns
to drop a canister of napalm. The napalm the spreads over an area
about 50 meters wide and several hundred long. The first flame
sucks most of the oxygen out of the air, but after that you have
patches of napalm burning here and there, no big wall of flames.
So you get up, shield your face, and run away. It says so right
here in the book. :-) In the Finnish army you are supposed to
have a woolen long coat with your equipment, which is good
protection against fire. If you have time to get it out.

Our instructors told us that napalm is most dangerous against
civilians, who usually are not prepared. They also often wear
light clothes that burn more easily and do not protect as much.
Military clothes, at least in Finland, are usually made of
natural fibres or otherwise more fire-resistant, so you are
better protected. Also if you don't panic, you can get out of the
are more quicklt. Finnish terrain is mostly covered by trees, so
that should help somewhat, too. Open areas or streets with
limited escape routes at towns might be worse for napalm attacks.

--
Timo  Kiravuo
Helsinki University of Technology, Computing Center
kiravuo@hut.fi   kiravuo@fingate.bitnet   sorvi::kiravuo
work: 90-451 4328   home: 90-676 076