Molotov cocktail

The Molotov cocktail, also known as the petrol bomb, gasoline bomb, Molotov bomb, fire bottle, fire bomb, or simply Molotov, is a generic name used for a variety of improvised incendiary weapons. Due to the relative ease of production, they are frequently used by non-professionally equipped fighters and others who cannot afford, manufacture, or obtain hand grenades. They are primarily intended to set targets ablaze rather than instantly destroy them. The name "Molotov cocktail" was coined by the Finns during Winter War to mock Vyacheslav Molotov, the Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the Soviet Union (i.e. Soviet Prime Minister) and the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs at the time.

A Molotov cocktail is a breakable bottle containing a flammable substance such as petrol or a napalm-like mixture and usually a source of ignition such as a burning cloth wick held in place by the bottle's stopper. The wick is usually soaked in alcohol or kerosene, rather than petrol.

In action, the wick is lit and the bottle hurled at a target such as a vehicle or fortification. When the bottle smashes on impact, the ensuing cloud of petrol droplets and vapour are ignited, causing an immediate fireball followed by a raging fire as the remainder of the fuel is consumed.

Petrol bomb in Southern Victory
See Featherston Fizz.

Petrol bomb in "Occupation Duty"
A gasoline filled bottle was a common weapon used by the weak against the strong. Moabites used such weapons against the occupying Philistines.

While on a foot patrol in Hierosolyma, Pheidas saw its effectiveness first hand. A nearby patrol opened fire on rock throwing Moabites causing a riot to break out. Pheidas and his half squad ran to the disturbance and had to dodge a thrown gasoline bomb. On arriving, the second patrol added to the fire power and with the help of support fire from a heavy machine gun on an armored personnel carrier would have quickly brought the situation under control. Unfortunately, a second gasoline bomb set the APC on fire causing its crew to abandon the vehicle. The situation was finally brought under control with the arrival of a Philistine tank.