_c. Cross winds._ When firing at or near maximum range, cross winds deflect, breakup, and disperse the flame. They also reduce the range.
_a. Ease of aiming._ The flame thrower can be fired from any position that permits sufficient freedom to aim the weapon, subject to the conditions in _b_, _c_, and _d_, below. This includes standing, kneeling, and prone. In some instances, flame throwers have been fired with tank groups resting on the ground or on skids. If used in this way, the tops of the fuel tanks must be propped up to conform to _b_, below.
_b. Angles of the tanks._ When firing, the bottoms of the fuel tanks must always be substantially lower than the tops. The tops of both tanks must also each be the same distance above the horizontal and neither tank should be tilted to one side. Otherwise, only a small part of the fuel may be blown from the tanks.
_c. Recoil._ Stability must be sufficient to withstand the recoil from the gun. If possible, the firer should hold the gun snugly against his right side to support it and to absorb its recoil.
_d. Protection._ Full advantage should be taken of cover and concealment, such as shell craters and vegetation.
_a. Sighting._ There are no sights on the gun because of the short range from which it is fired, the variety of fuels used, and the marked effects of wind. (Par 23)
_b. Fortifications._ When firing at a fortified position, flame must be directed _into openings_ (gun ports, firing slits, ventilation screens, doorways). Flame inside gives the desired effects, but flame on the outside has little effect on personnel within.
_c. Thickened fuel._ (Figs 3 and 20) When firing at or near maximum range, it may take several seconds for a burst of thickened fuel to carry through the air to the target area. Short bursts may result in misses at long range for this reason. Skill in aiming is particularly important with thickened fuel.
_d. Liquid fuel._ With liquid fuel, the greatest effect may be obtained by placing the flame directly on the target. (Fig 21)
[Illustration: Fig 20. Thickened fuel flame hitting and clinging to target. Fuel burns for several minutes.]
[Illustration: Fig 21. Flame (liquid fuel) hitting target.]
_a. Pull trigger._ Pull the trigger rapidly and vigorously. A flash should appear at the front of the gun. This shows that an incendiary charge of the ignition cylinder has been ignited. Release the trigger. (If the flash does not appear, pull the trigger again, or as often as necessary up to five times, until a flash appears.)