Bushra Griffith
Napalm is a portmanteau of two of its constituents: coprecipitated aluminium salts of naphthenic acid and palmitic acid. It is a cheap, effective, and brutal incendiary weapon that has been used in many wars, including World War II, the First Indochina War, the Algerian War, and the Vietnam War. Although the use of traditional napalm has generally ceased, modern variants have been deployed. Interestingly, some people have likened the appearance of napalm to that of melted cheese. In fact, a blue cheese dressing served at The Palm restaurant has been nicknamed napalm due to its appearance and texture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is Napalm | An incendiary mixture of a gelling agent and a volatile petrochemical (usually gasoline or diesel fuel) |
| How does it look | Napalm looks like weird melted cheese |
| Use | It is used as a weapon in wars |
| Side effects | Exposure to napalm can cause blunt and penetrating injuries, respiratory failure, infection, and multi-organ system failure |
| Use against civilian populations | Banned under Protocol III of the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons in 1980 |
| Use in modern warfare | Although the use of traditional napalm has generally ceased, modern "variants" have been deployed |
| Use in Afghanistan and Iraq | The U.S. military claims it hasn't used napalm in Afghanistan or the war in Iraq, but some experts believe that a similar, reformulated compound has been used |
| Use in the UK | UK authorities once considered using napalm to burn the corpses of thousands of animals that were culled because they had foot-and-mouth disease |
| Use in France | The French Air Force regularly used napalm for close air support of ground operations in both the First Indochina War and the Algerian War |
| Use during World War II | Allied bombers used napalm in incendiary bombs throughout the European and Pacific theaters |
| First developed | Napalm was first developed in 1942 |
| First military use | The first documented military use of napalm was in 1944 |
| Ingredients | Aluminum soap mixed with naphthenic acid from crude oil and palmitic acid from coconut oil |
| Additives | Phosphorus is sometimes added to the mix to increase its ability to penetrate deeply into the musculature |
| Use in food | The term "napalm" has been used to describe a blue cheese salad dressing due to its similar appearance |
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What You'll Learn
- Napalm is a portmanteau of its constituents: coprecipitated aluminium salts of naphthenic and palmitic acids
- It was first developed in 1942 and used in World War II
- The United Nations banned its use against civilians in 1980
- It has been used in modern warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan
- The UK considered using it to burn the corpses of animals with foot-and-mouth disease
Napalm is a portmanteau of its constituents: coprecipitated aluminium salts of naphthenic and palmitic acids
Napalm is a highly flammable and gelatinous liquid created by weaponizing a mixture of chemicals. The name "napalm" is derived from its constituents: coprecipitated aluminium salts of naphthenic and palmitic acids. The "na" in "napalm" comes from "na" in naphthenic, and the "palm" comes from palmitic.
Naphthenic acid is a mixture of several cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl carboxylic acids with molecular weights ranging from 120 to over 700 atomic mass units. The main fractions are carboxylic acids with a carbon backbone of 9 to 20 carbons. Commercial grades of naphthenic acid are often derived from kerosene, jet fuel, and diesel fractions. Salts of naphthenic acids, known as naphthenates, are widely used as hydrophobic sources of metal ions in various applications.
Palmitic acid, on the other hand, is derived from coconut oil. It is a common fatty acid found in palm oil, hence the "palm" in "palmitic."
When combined with a volatile petrochemical like gasoline or diesel fuel, napalm becomes an incendiary mixture. The original formulation, developed by chemist Louis Fieser for the US Chemical Warfare Service in 1942, utilized coprecipitated aluminium salts of naphthenic and palmitic acids as thickening and gelling agents. This mixture resulted in a cheap, effective, and long-range weapon that could be used in flamethrowers and firebombs.
The use of napalm has been highly controversial, especially in civilian areas. While international law does not prohibit its use against military targets, the United Nations' inhumane weapons convention banned its use against civilians in 1981. Napalm has become a symbol of the brutality of war, with its mention conjuring images of carnage and destruction.
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It was first developed in 1942 and used in World War II
Napalm is an incendiary mixture of a gelling agent and a volatile petrochemical, usually gasoline or diesel fuel. It was first developed in 1942 by a team of Harvard scientists led by chemist Louis Fieser for the US Chemical Warfare Service. The name "napalm" is derived from the first syllables of two of its constituents: naphthenic acid and palmitic acid.
The development of napalm was precipitated by the use of jellied gasoline mixtures by the Allied forces during World War II. Latex, used in early incendiary devices, became scarce after the Japanese army captured rubber plantations in Southeast Asia. The new mixture of chemicals was first tested on July 4, 1942, and approved for use on the front lines in 1943.
During World War II, napalm was used extensively in incendiary attacks, particularly against Japanese cities and fortifications in the Pacific War. It was also deployed against German targets during Operation Overlord and the Battle of the Bulge. Napalm's ability to burn at extremely high temperatures and its sticky nature made it a brutally effective weapon, causing more deaths than the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Following World War II, napalm continued to be used in various conflicts, including the Korean War and the Vietnam War. However, its use became increasingly controversial due to its indiscriminate nature and the severe burns it inflicted on victims. By the late 1960s, public sentiment towards napalm and those associated with its development turned negative, with protests and criticism arising. Despite this shift in perception, napalm has persisted in modern warfare, with modified versions employed in recent conflicts.
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The United Nations banned its use against civilians in 1980
Napalm is a potent incendiary weapon formed from a mixture of a gelling agent and a volatile petrochemical, usually gasoline or diesel fuel. It was developed in 1942 by chemist Louis Fieser for the US Chemical Warfare Service and was used extensively in World War II and the Vietnam War.
The use of napalm in Vietnam caused widespread destruction and resulted in severe burn casualties, particularly among civilians. The United Nations, witnessing the devastating impact of napalm on innocent civilians, took steps to curb its use. In 1980, the UN adopted the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCCW), which included Protocol III specifically addressing the use of napalm. This protocol set out more restrictive legal rules to limit the use of napalm and other incendiary weapons, marking a significant shift in the perception of napalm as a legitimate means of warfare.
The United Nations' actions were driven by the recognition that napalm's destructive capabilities far outweighed any potential tactical advantages. The 1972 UN Committee on Disarmament played a pivotal role in this shift, urging a ban on napalm and highlighting the indiscriminate nature of incendiary weapons like napalm, which caused immense suffering among civilians. The committee's report emphasized the intense pain and extensive medical resources required to treat burn injuries caused by napalm.
While the United Nations' efforts led to a decrease in napalm utilization, it has not been eradicated entirely. The US military, for instance, has been accused of using a reformulated compound similar to napalm in Afghanistan and Iraq, demonstrating the ongoing allure of this brutal weapon despite international condemnation. Despite the US's eventual ratification of the CCCW in 2009, it retained the right to use incendiary weapons against military objectives located in civilian areas if deemed to cause fewer casualties or less collateral damage than alternative weapons.
In conclusion, the United Nations' ban on the use of napalm against civilians in 1980 was a pivotal moment in recognizing the inhumane nature of this weapon. While it has curbed its utilization, the continued allure of napalm's destructive power underscores the ongoing challenge of enforcing international humanitarian laws and protecting innocent lives from the horrors of warfare.
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It has been used in modern warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan
Napalm is a dangerous incendiary weapon that has been used in modern warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan. While the use of napalm is not prohibited by international law, its use against civilian populations was banned by the United Nations in 1981. Despite this, napalm has been used in civilian areas in Iraq and Afghanistan, resulting in controversy and protests.
During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. forces used napalm in the form of MK-77 firebombs. These bombs have similar destructive characteristics to napalm but are claimed to have less impact on the environment. At least thirty MK-77s were used by Marine Corps aviators during a three-day period in the invasion. While the U.S. military claims it has not used napalm in Iraq, some experts argue that a reformulated compound with similar properties has been used.
In Afghanistan, the U.S. military has also been accused of using napalm or napalm-like weapons. While the U.S. military acknowledges the use of MK-77 bombs in Afghanistan, they claim that it is a "new form of napalm" distinct from the "old napalm". The use of napalm in Afghanistan has been less prevalent than in Iraq, with smaller quantities deployed compared to other conflicts.
The use of napalm in Iraq and Afghanistan has sparked debates and protests, similar to those that occurred during the Vietnam War. The images and symbols associated with napalm have lent it a special symbolism, and it has become a loaded word symbolizing the carnage and brutality of war. Despite its controversial nature and the development of alternative weapons, napalm continues to be used in modern warfare.
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The UK considered using it to burn the corpses of animals with foot-and-mouth disease
Napalm is a dangerous incendiary weapon used in modern warfare. It is a mixture of polystyrene, benzene, and other materials, and is known to burn extremely hot, making it difficult to treat the wounds it causes. It is often used in combination with gasoline or jet fuel and has been dropped on targets via bombs or sprayed using flamethrowers.
During the 2001 United Kingdom foot-and-mouth outbreak, the UK considered using napalm to burn the corpses of thousands of animals that had been culled to prevent the spread of the disease. The idea was suggested by American researchers, who argued that it would be a faster, cheaper, and more efficient way of disposing of the carcasses than traditional pyres. Ron Anderson of the Nevada Department of Agriculture supported this idea, noting that it would cost just a couple of pounds to destroy a carcass with napalm, compared to the £1400 cost of a pyre. The equipment required for napalm was also light and portable, and could be transported from farm to farm.
However, the proposal was ultimately rejected due to concerns over the "very toxic compounds" produced by burning napalm. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAFF) stated that there were likely to be safety concerns and risks associated with the use of napalm. Instead, the MAFF policy was that affected carcasses that could not be disposed of on-site would be taken to a rendering plant in Widnes.
The 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak in the UK resulted in about 80,000–93,000 animals being slaughtered per week, with the total cost of the crisis estimated to be £8 billion. The last cull was performed on January 1, 2002, and the UK declared itself free of the disease on January 14, 2002, officially ending 11 months of the outbreak.
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Frequently asked questions
No, cheese is not an ingredient in napalm. Napalm is an incendiary mixture of a gelling agent and a volatile petrochemical, usually gasoline or diesel fuel.
Napalm has been described as looking like "weird melted cheese." This may be due to the fact that it is a jelled incendiary substance.
No, napalm is not safe for humans. Exposure to napalm can result in trauma, blunt and penetrating injuries, respiratory failure, and death. International law prohibits the use of napalm against civilian populations.
