Molotov cocktail

Molotov cocktail, mockingly named after Vyacheslav Molotov is the generic name for a variety of improvised incendiary weapons, also known as the petrol bomb, gasoline bomb, or Molotov bomb. They are commonly associated with guerrilla forces and rioters, since they are often the only effective weapons available where other conventional weapons are restricted or banned, and are easily assembled from components commonly available even in highly restrictive states.

The original Molotov cocktail produced by the Finnish alcohol monopoly ALKO. The bottle has storm matches instead of a rag for a fuse. Such devices were used in the Winter War, 1939-1940

Mechanism

In its simplest form a Molotov cocktail is a glass bottle containing gasoline fuel with a fuse consisting of a fuel soaked rag held in place by the bottle's stopper.

In action the fuse is lit and the bottle hurled at a target such as an enemy tank or fortification.

When the bottle smashes on impact, the ensuing cloud of gasoline droplets and vapour is ignited by the fuse causing an immediate fireball followed by a raging fire as the remainder of the fuel is consumed. Against tanks this is used variously in an attempt to ignite the fuel tanks, or to damage the engine by overheating the air taken in by the engine. Modern tanks often have metal screens, made similar to coarse steel wool. This holds the flames off the air intake, allowing (relatively) cool air in, and decreasing the effectiveness of such methods.

Other inflammable liquids such as wood alcohol and turpentine have been used in place of gasoline. Thickening agents such as tar, motor oil, and liquid soap have been added to the fuel, analagously to the use of napalm, to help the burning liquid adhere to the target and create clouds of thick choking smoke. One suggested method was the use of styrene as a thickener, for example broken pieces of styrofoam packing carton inserts, foamboard insulation, soft drink cups, or even packing peanuts, dissolved into the fuel and allowed it to sit for a time. This produces a thick, sticky gelled fuel very similar to military napalm which will stick to the target and burn it, rather than flowing downwards and away.

The definitive version developed by the Finns during the Winter War was fused by two 12cm storm matches wired to the bottle. As illustrated, these incendiaries were created using commercial bottle-capping equipment. This seals the bottles, preventing premature fuel spillage. It also has the advantage of preventing the tell-tale odour of petrol from betraying the presence of petrol-bombs. Simple manual bottle-capping equipment available inexpensively and intended for the homebrewing of beer and wine can produce the same results. With this type of firebomb, the danger of fusing via the improvised "oily rags in the neck of the bottle" method is avoided, and some external fuse or wick is necessary. In the Finnish version, the waxed, waterproof "storm matches" were wired to the bottle. An improvised version might involve a wad of cotton or a tampon saturated with petroleum jelly, and attached to the neck of the bottle with stiff wire.

The Polish home army developed a version which ignited on impact thus avoiding the need to light the fuse before throwing. Ignition was caused by a reaction between concentrated sulphuric acid mixed with the fuel and a mixture of potassium chlorate and sugar which was crystalized from solution onto a rag attached to the bottle.

History

File:Mural - Battle of the bogside 2004 SMC.jpg

A mural in Derry, Northern Ireland of a young boy in a gas mask holding a petrol bomb during the Battle of the Bogside, August 1969.

The name “Molotov cocktail” is derived from Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, a Soviet People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs and premier of the Soviet Union. During the buildup to World War II, when Finland refused to surrender some strategic ports to the Soviet Union, the Soviets invaded, after the Shelling of Mainila. The Finnish Army, facing Red Army tanks in what came to be known as the Winter War, borrowed an improvised incendiary device design from the 1936–39 Spanish Civil War. In that conflict, General Francisco Franco ordered Spanish Nationalists to use the weapon against Soviet T-26 tanks supporting the Spanish Republicans in a failed 1936 Soviet assault near Toledo, 30 km from Madrid.

When Molotov claimed in radio broadcasts that the Soviet Union was not dropping bombs but rather delivering food to the starving Finns, the Finns started to call the air bombs Molotov bread baskets. Soon they responded by attacking advancing tanks with “Molotov cocktails.” At first the term was used to describe only the burning mixture itself, but in practical use the term was soon applied to the combination of both the bottle and its contents. This Finnish use of the hand- or sling-thrown explosive against Soviet tanks was repeated in the subsequent Continuation War. Molotov cocktails were eventually mass-produced by the Alko corporation at its Rajamäki distillery, bundled with matches to light them. Production totalled 450,000 during the Winter War. The original design of Molotov cocktail was a mixture of ethanol, tar, and gasoline in a 750 ml bottle. The bottle had two long pyrotechnic storm matches attached on its side. Before use one or both of the matches was lit; when the bottle broke on impact, the mixture ignited. The storm matches were found to be safer to use than a burning rag on the mouth of the bottle.

A display of improvised munitions, including a Molotov cocktail, from the Warsaw Uprising, 1944.

They also saw use during the Nomonhan Incident, a border conflict ostensibly between Mongolia and Manchukuo that saw heavy fighting between Japanese and Soviet forces. Short of anti-tank equipment, Japanese infantry attacked Soviet tanks with gasoline-filled bottles. Japanese infantrymen claimed that several hundred Soviet tanks had been destroyed through the use of Molotov cocktails.

Molotov cocktails are much more effective against gasoline engines than diesel engine tanks. This is because diesel has a high flashpoint of 64°C (147°F), making it more difficult to ignite than petrol. Some Soviet tanks actually had an entry to the gas tank on the side of the vehicle, which could be opened by combatants in close quarters, letting out the highly flammable liquid and making destruction of the tank even easier.

During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, it was alleged that members of the Israeli Kibbutz Degania managed to stop a Syrian tank assault by using Molotov cocktails. Later studies revealed that it was a shell fired from a PIAT.

Molotov cocktails had a big role in the Hungarian revolution too. It was almost the only anti-tank weapon available and could destroy the Soviet T-34 tanks.

Petrol bombs were widely used throughout the Troubles in Northern Ireland in riots, directed towards the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) or the British Army.

In The Freedom Fighter's Manual, the CIA taught Nicaraguan civilians how to make molotov cocktails.

An image from the The Freedom Fighter's Manual showing how to make and use a Molotov cocktail, 1980s.

The first Rage Against the Machine t-shirt had cartoon instructions on how to make a Molotov Cocktail. What was unique about this cartoon was that it was authored by the CIA and used by the Contras.

Legality

As incendiary devices, Molotov cocktails are illegal to manufacture or possess in many regions. Their use against people is typically covered under a variety of charges, including battery, actual or grievous bodily harm, manslaughter, attempted murder, and murder, depending upon their effect and upon local laws. Their use against property is usually covered under arson charges. In the United States, Molotov cocktails are considered "destructive devices" and regulated by the ATF.

Recent use

A hooded youth in Freetown Christiania hurling a molotov cocktail at a police van.

• In 1980s, South Korean protesters used Molotov cocktail as a tool to fight against the government of Chun Doo-hwan.

• As of 2007 petrol bombs are still used against the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI, formerly the RUC) and army. They are frequently used in sectarian attacks on homes and businesses by both communities. Fireworks and homemade grenades, known as blast bombs now commonly accompany petrol bomb attacks on the security forces.

• Molotov cocktails are used against the Police when 2 men are injured after live bullets were fired in the crowd at the Batu Burok violence in Terengganu, Malaysia on Saturday night (September 8). The clash was sparked when police ordered the crowd of 500 people (some reported 750) gathering at Jalan Sultan Mahmud, close to Batu Burok, to disperse peacefully at 10pm. The crowd was there to attend a talk organized by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH).

• Molotov cocktails were put to use recently during the riotous 2005 civil unrest in France and during 2007 riots in Copenhagen [1] and Tallinn. They are also frequently used in the Palestinian Intifadas.

• Molotov cocktails are frequently used in riots in Greece by insurrectionist anarchists and by football fans in their battles or against the police.

• In Sydney, during the 2005 Cronulla riots, rioters carrying Molotov cocktails were apprehended when they carried open bottles in a bus. The resulting smell of petrol alerted the driver, who in turn alerted the police.

• During the highly violent and intense Oldham Race Riots on May 26 2001 in Oldham, England, petrol bombs were the primary projectile used by youths against riot police. No one was killed.

• During the Columbine High School massacre, the two gunmen built and threw several Molotov cocktails; none of them, however, ignited successfully.

• In Basque Country, they are commonly used in the Kale Borroka.

See also

• No. 76 Special Incendiary Grenade
• Pétroleuses
• The Freedom Fighter's Manual

Further reading

• A detailed technology of the Molotov cocktail
• Molotov Cocktail on WW2
• History of the Molotov cocktail
• Iraqi insurgents use thermal bombs on Humvees - liveleak.com video