German Flamethrower

A German solider aims a backpack flamethrower across a field of tall grass, Soviet Union, 1941 or 1942. The image was originally published as 'Das Heer im Grossdeutschen Freiheitskampf' (translated as 'The Army in the Greater German Freedom Struggle'), a collection of 50 plus images taken by the German Army's combat photography unit (Propagandakompanie) during the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

The Flammenwerfer 35, or FmW 35 (flame thrower) was a one-man German flamethrower used during World War II to clear out trenches and buildings. It could project fuel up to 25 metres from the user.

It weighed 35.8 kilograms (79 lb), and held 11.8 litres (2.6 imp gal; 3.1 US gal) of flaming oil, (Flammöl 19), petrol mixed with tar to make it heavier and to give it better range, which was ignited by a hydrogen torch providing about 10 seconds of continuous use. The firing device is activated at the same time with the Selbstschlussventil and is inside the protective pipe. The Flammenwerfer 35 was produced until 1941, when the lighter, slightly redesigned Flammenwerfer 41 began replacing it.

This flamethrower, like all flamethrowers employed by the Wehrmacht, was exclusively used by sturmpionieres (assault pioneers); specialist pioneers who were to assist the infantry in an assault, by overcoming natural and man made obstacles for the infantry, clearing enemy fortifications with flamethrowers and then destroying them with demolition charges. The sturmpionieres that exclusively used these flamethrowers played an important part in overcoming French fortifications blocking the German advance during the Battle of France. More specifically the Battle of Sedan (1940).

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flammenwerfer_35
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/german-solider-aims-a-backpack-flamethrower-across-a-field-news-photo/103118678